@jillianmercado

“It was hard to imagine that as a young disabled Latina, I would ever be on this stage with you all winning this award for Actress in a Breakthrough Role. My mind can’t honestly compute what is happening but I am so beyond thankful and grateful to be here. Opportunities are far and few in between for the disabled community. We must do better. I work day and night to make sure that my community is heard and that stories about us are told by us. I have the privilege to work with a team that understands that very notion. I have an audience that supports and cheers me on to be my most authentic self. And I am on a TV show that gives me the opportunity to show what true representation looks like. This award means more to me than I can put into words. I am so thankful for the millions of people out there who also want to see physical manifestations of themselves and want to be heard - this is for you. This is for all of you who were told that they could never achieve their dreams because of their disability. This is for my younger self who hoped and dreamed that one day someone would give her the opportunity to show the world the magic my community has to offer. Thank you The Gracie Awards @allwomeninmedia for acknowledging my presence and awarding me this monumental moment. Couldn’t have done it without my determined Latin New Yorker spirit, my team at CAA @creativeartistsagency, our show runner Marja Lewis Ryan @marjalewisryan and Ilene Chaiken @ilenechaiken and the support of my friends and family who have been there every step of the way pushing me to be the best version of myself. Thank you!” 🧡 hair & mua @patricktumey styled @janetmandell