Keke Palmer Becomes First Black Woman To Win Emmy For Game Show Host

It’s been 15 years since a woman won an Emmy for Outstanding Game Show Host. But Keke Palmer has helped end the hiatus.

The 2024 Emmy Awards took place on Sunday, January 7, and Palmer won for Outstanding Host for a Game Show for NBC’s “Password,” Deadline reports. It was the first time the category was included in the Primetime Emmys after its move from the Daytime awards and Palmer was honored with the accolade.

The actress/television personality beat out beat “Jeopardy!” hosts Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik, “Family Feud” host Steve Harvey, and “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak. Not only is she the first woman to win since 2009 when Meredith Vieira won for the syndicated run of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” but she’s also the first Black woman to win the category.

“Wow. That is so exciting thank you so much. I’m really just so thankful, I’m almost speechless,” Palmer said during her acceptance speech. “I want to thank the people who allowed this to happen, thank you to Jimmy Fallon, thank to NBC.”

After thanking Fallon, who executive produces the show, Palmer also thanked Carol Burnett who was in the audience. It’s the first time in 50 years that “Password” has been nominated or won the host category.

“Sharp, charming and quick witted all while looking like a superstar. There’s no one like Keke Palmer,” said Fallon.

Steve Harvey received the award in 2023 and the late Alex Trebek three years prior. This isn’t the first time Palmer has won an Emmy. She won in 2021 for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for Facebook Watch series “Turnt Up With The Taylors.”

“In a historic year for game shows at the Emmy Awards, we couldn’t be prouder of Keke Palmer’s outstanding host win. She and Jimmy Fallon are a winning duo and have made the latest iteration of Password an undeniable hit,” Corie Henson, EVP, NBCUniversal Entertainment Unscripted Programming said.