Creative Arts Emmy Awards: Winners List (Updating Live)

The Creative Arts Emmy Awards kicked off the annual Emmys week with a celebration of behind-the-scenes excellence at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. This ceremony, focused on technical and specialty categories, highlighted the collaborative artistry that fuels television’s biggest successes.

Among the evening’s most notable triumphs was the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show starring Bad Bunny, which secured seven Emmy wins. The show garnered recognition for its choreography, production design, music direction, and overall variety special status. The music director, Miguel Gandelman, noted the logistical challenges of recording a live tour-based band across Latin America, underscoring the complexity behind the show’s seamless presentation.

Reality television also made a significant impact, with Peacock’s “The Traitors” claiming six Emmys, including a fifth hosting award for Alan Cumming. The series dominated the reality category once again, reflecting its widespread acclaim and innovative format.

Documentary storytelling received heartfelt attention as well. Mariska Hargitay earned two Emmys for her deeply personal film "My Mom Jayne," which explores themes of family and resilience. During her acceptance, Hargitay paid tribute to feminist icon Gloria Steinem, connecting the film’s narrative to broader conversations about empowerment and storytelling.

Netflix’s “Love on a Spectrum” was another standout, winning three awards including outstanding casting in a reality program. The series, praised for its authentic portrayal of people seeking love on the autism spectrum, drew particular admiration for its empathetic approach and inclusive narrative.

In the realm of music composition, Tyler Strickland received recognition for his evocative score of the documentary "John Candy: I Like Me." Strickland emphasized the emotional depth required to portray the beloved actor’s personal struggles through a classical string orchestra arrangement.

Additional highlights included Octavia Spencer’s Emmy for narration in the docuseries "Lost Women of Alaska," which addresses the critical issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Spencer expressed hope that the award would help sustain attention and funding for stories addressing social justice and marginalized communities.

Other notable mentions from the event included sitcom host Jimmy Kimmel’s win in the game show host category, a testament to his versatility across television formats. Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter’s work on "The Muppet Show" earned her an Emmy in the variety special category, advancing her journey toward an EGOT.

The evening also celebrated technical mastery in animation, costume design, and makeup, with series such as Adult Swim’s "Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal" and Peacock’s "The Masked Singer" acknowledged for their craftsmanship.

The Creative Arts Emmys, typically overshadowed by the main Primetime Emmy ceremony, showcased the foundational talents that bring television productions to life. Their broadcast on FXX later in September will provide audiences a closer look at these essential creative achievements.

As the industry continues to evolve, the awards underscored the importance of diverse storytelling, technical innovation, and collaborative creativity. With programs spanning reality, documentary, music, and variety shows, this first night of the Creative Arts Emmys set a compelling tone for the celebrations to come.