Hacks creators Lucia Aniello and Paul Downs reveal they married just 'last weekend' during emotional Emmys acceptance speech
Hacks creators Lucia Aniello and Paul Downs are married!
Italian-born producer Lucia, 38, confirmed she and Paul, also 30, had wed as she took to the stage during the Emmy Awards on Sunday night alongside her new husband and their fellow co-creator Jen Statsku.
The trio won the award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series, with Lucia revealing she and writer Paul had tied the knot last weekend, as she declared her love for her husband.
Big reveal: Hacks creators Lucia Aniello and Paul Downs revealed during their Emmys acceptance speech that they're married
Speaking live at the star-studded ceremony held in Los Angeles, Lucia said: 'Thank you to my parents, to my friends, to my co-creator, Jen [Statsky] I love you.
'To Paul. I’m in love with you, which is why I married you last weekend,' she revealed with a huge smile on her face, as she then flashed her wedding ring to the audience.
Lucia joked that she 'would love to just say my vows again', but the prompter was signalling for her to wrap up her speech, as she quickly thanked 'everyone at HBO and everybody at Universal'.
'I love everyone... okay, that's it. Thank you so much,' she concluded.
Put a ring on it! 'Thank you to my parents, to my friends, to my co-creator, Jen. I love you,' Lucia began. 'To Paul. I’m in love with you, which is why I married you last weekend'
Winners: Aniello, Downs, and Statsky earned their directing Emmy for their work on Hack's pilot episode titled There Is No Line, which would also earn them the Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series gong
Aniello, Downs, and Statsky earned their directing Emmy for their work on Hack's pilot episode titled There Is No Line, which would also earn them the Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series gong.
After accepting their honors, Paul touched on his and Lucia's very recent nuptials, admitting that it 'wasn't as good' as being able to take home Emmys together.
'This is really very wild and very special. The wedding was beautiful, it was great, but this is really about the show, so I’d like to direct [questions] that way,' he joked, with Aniello adding that Statsky had actually officiated the wedding.
Having met over a decade ago, Lucia and Paul have worked together on several projects prior to Hacks, most notably the beloved Comedy Central series Broad City from 2014 to 2019.
Jokes: 'Would love to just say my vows again,' Lucia joked, which prompted applause from the event's star-studded attendees
Thankful: With the prompter signaling for her to wrap up her speech, Lucia thanked 'everyone at HBO, everybody at Universal' and insisted: 'I love everyone'
Lucia worked as writer/director, while Paul famously portrayed the role of Trey Pucker, Abbi's boss at the bicycling studio Soulstice.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Downs recalled the moment he met his wife for the very first time at an improv class at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre back in 2007.
'I remember walking into class, super early and ready to go, thinking, "How do I get on a mainstage team? I must be on a marquee show tomorrow,"' he recalled.
'And Lucia came in five minutes late, like, "What’s going on?" - so not nervous, so nonplussed. I was like, "Who is this girl?"'
History: Though there is little known about the couple's relationship, Lucia and Paul worked together on the beloved Comedy Central series Broad City from 2014 to 2019
Teamwork: Notably, the comedy-drama series earned a third Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series category, thanks to the talents of series lead Jean Smart (center)
Hacks, which premiered its very first season on HBO Max in May, snagged 15 nominations at this year's Emmy Awards.
Notably, the comedy-drama series earned a third Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series category, thanks to the talents of series lead Jean Smart.
The 2021 Emmy Awards took place on Sunday evening at L.A. Live's Event Deck, a space that offers indoor and outdoor locations for the big event.
The host was Cedric The Entertainer, 57, who promised to make the show more 'fun' and less 'stuffy,' he said during a press gather in Los Angeles this week.
The Television Academy announced that the September 19 ceremony would once again be slightly different this year, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 73rd annual awards show that celebrates the best of television had a 'limited' number of guests (about 500) and nominees on the red carpet as well as event staff.
And attendees had to show proof of vaccination and a negative test result.
Proud as punch: Lucia was seen posing with Hacks' two well-deserved Emmys backstage
Gorgeous: She stunned in a pale pink pleated gown and beamed from ear-to-ear while holding up both awards in celebration
Success: The Italian-born producer was joined backstage by her fellow co-creators, Jen (L) and new husband Paul (R)
Soaking it all in: Paul, who described his and Lucia's wedding as 'beautiful' was seen kissing his Emmy award as he toasted to the show's wins
Kisses all round: Jen and Lucia quickly joined the writer as they posed up a storm together
The Academy said in a statement: 'Out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of Emmy nominees, guests and media, the number of production personnel and staff must be limited at this year's 73rd Emmy Awards.'
They added that there will be a 'very limited red carpet for talent arrivals', and a virtual media center to 'allow media outlets to connect directly with Emmy winners as they are announced.'
The show also included several satellite events that the telecast will cut to when needed.
The cast and producers of the smash hit series The Crown - starring Claire Foy and Gillian Anderson - hosted their own Emmy ceremony in London.
The show must go on: The 2021 Emmy Awards will take place on Sunday evening at L.A. Live's Event Deck, a space that offers indoor and outdoor locations for the production
He wants laughs: The host is Cedric The Entertainer, 57, who promises to make the show more 'fun' and less 'stuffy.' Seen on September 14 during an Emmy press day
Top Chef and Jimmy Kimmel Live conferenced in.
Some of the presenters were Michael Douglas, Taraji P. Henson, Sarah Paulson, Beanie Feldstein, Seth Rogen, Mindy Kaling, Dolly Parton and actresses Awkwafina.
The Crown and The Mandalorian led the 2021 Emmys nominations, with 24 each.
The Netflix series, based on the British royal family, and Disney Plus' Star Wars spin-off racked up the impressive number of nods to bring Netflix's total to 129 with Disney Plus clocking up 71 nominations.
Marvel and Disney Plus' WandaVision followed with 23 nominations, while Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale received 21.
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