‘Orange Is the New Black’s’ Uzo Aduba Talks Double SAG Awards Honor

“Orange Is the New Black’s” Uzo Aduba took home double honors at Sunday’s SAG Awards — something she is encouraged by when it comes diversity in Hollywood.

“It’s unbelievable,” the actress told Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson after winning the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series awards.

The actress is hopeful that the accolades for the Netflix series is a sign that Hollywood will embrace more diversity moving forward.

PHOTOS: SAG Awards 2015: The Winners

“I have a little niece and the idea of her being able to see herself reflected back, I think that’s part of the excitement that audiences feel… it’s thrilling to feel that,” she said. “I feel encouraged as an artist. It’s encouraging and exciting. It breaks open a conversation for a dialogue and a healthy one to really pursue an idea like this.

“I’m thrilled to see shows of such a diverse nature and of all ranges from race to gender to sexual orientation to ethnicity and religions, we’re exploring all of that,” she continued.

Uzo told Shaun that the first person she was going to call and tell about her big win was her mother, who moved from Nigeria to America in order for her children to have more opportunities in life.

PHOTOS: SAG Awards 2015: Red Carpet Ladies

“Moving from this small, very tiny village in Nigeria, going through civil wars and doing everything just for their kids to have a dream – the freedom to have a dream – my mom always let me live my dream and encouraged me to live it,” she said. “This is just a testament to her.”

— Jesse Spero

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