Sofia Vergara Had the Best Response to a Tv Host Mocking Her Accent: 'How Many Emmy Nominations Do You Have?'
By Chloe Bennett
Much like her Modern Family character, Sofia Vergara will not hesitate to clap back when she’s pushed too far.
The actress more than proved this during a recent appearance on the Spanish-language talk show El Hormiguero when host Pablo Motos mocked her accent. Interrupting Vergara while she discussed her hit 11-season sitcom, Motos questioned her English pronunciation, asking, “How do you say Modern Family?”
Though Vergara initially appeared confused by the question, she was quick to fire back once she caught on: “I say it wrong? Oh, because you speak better English than me? Ah.”
While this earned laughter and applause from the audience, she wasn't done. “How many Emmy nominations do you have in the United States, sorry?”she asked, leaning in like she was waiting for Motos' answer.
When Motos said his show has two nominations, Vergara struck again: “How many times have they nominated you for a Golden Globe?”
As the audience laughed, Motos replied, “The Golden Globes are minor awards. So they don’t matter.”
But the actress took it all in stride, later sharing photos from the interaction on Instagram and thanking the show for inviting her on.
Vergara, who spent 11 seasons playing the fiery Gloria Pritchett on the popular ABC sitcom, has four Emmy and Golden Globe nominations each, in addition to the two People’s Choice Awards she has won. Modern Family itself earned 22 Emmys during its run, including five for Outstanding Comedy Series.
When the show aired, Vergara regularly defended her character against criticism of her stereotypical characteristics, her accent included.
“What’s wrong with being a stereotype?” she asked Hola! USA in 2017. “Gloria’s character is inspired by my mom and my aunt. They are both Latin women who grew up in Colombia, like me. They love color, prints, and shoes… It upsets me when Latinos complain about Gloria.”
She continued, “I am grateful for the opportunity because the gringos have let me in with this strong accent I have. Eight years ago nobody had an accent like this on television.”
More recently, Vergara defended Ellen DeGeneres when a clip from her 2015 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show made the rounds and social media users criticized the daytime host for poking fun at Vergara’s accent.
"Two comedians having fun with each other to entertain," Vergara wrote in a tweet alongside the viral clip. "I was never a victim, guys. I was always in on the joke."
Though she has cemented herself as a comedic star, Vergara embraces the serious in her next television role. Based on a true story, her upcoming Netflix miniseries, Griselda, chronicles the life of Griselda Blanco, the savvy and ambitious Colombia businesswoman who created one of the most profitable cartels in history. The dramatic saga arrives Jan. 25.
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Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.
