Ayo Edebiri 'Absolutely Freaked Out' When Meeting Reba McEntire on Emmys 2024 Red Carpet

Mar. 15, 2025

Ayo Edebiri (left) and Reba McEntire.Photo:Kevin Mazur/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty; Frazer Harrison/Getty

Ayo Edebirihad a total fangirl moment while on the red carpet for the Emmy Awards 2024.

The Bearstar, who was nominated for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series, ran into country music legendReba McEntireahead of the awards ceremony. She told E! News' red carpet hostLaverne Coxduring their pre-show that she “absolutely freaked out.”

“I really, really am proud of myself for not singing the entire theme song,” said Edebiri, referring to McEntire’s famous song “I’m A Survivor” which served as the tune for her eponymous sitcom that ran for six seasons.

Ayo Edebiri on ‘The Bear’.FX

FX

Still, Edebiri couldn’t help but break out the lyric eventually.

“A single mom that works too hard, who loves her kids and never stops!” she said. “Hey, I’m a survivor, okay?”

Video of that very moment also surfacedon social media, with Edebiri appearing stunned to have encountered the country superstar. The Emmy winner spoke expressively as she repeatedly said, “Oh, my God!”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

This marksEdebiri’s second Emmy Awards ceremony of the year. In January, she won big when she won outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for the first season ofThe Bear.

Reba McEntire (left) and Asher HaVon (right) on ‘The Voice’.Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty

Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty

“This is a show about found family and real family, and my parents are here tonight,” she said in her speech. “I’m making them sit kind of far away from me because I’m a bad kid. But I love you so much. Thank you so much for loving me and letting me feel beautiful and Black and proud of all of that. I just love you so much.”

This time, Edebiri was nominated in the lead category.Hacksstar Jean Smart took home the award.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman in ‘Reba’.Fox Television/Courtesy Everett Collection

Fox Television/Courtesy Everett Collection

The new seriescomes more than a decade after the end of her sitcomRebawent off the air, and former costar Melissa Peterman is also returning.

“We’ve got a great ensemble with the same producers, showrunner and writers as we had with the Reba show, and it’s a great script," McEntire told PEOPLE in May, confirming she will, of course, berecording the show’s theme song.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

SeePEOPLE’s full coverageof the 76th annual Primetime Emmy Awards as they’re broadcasting live on ABC from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

source: people.com