Emmys ceremony executive producer shares insight about security, performers, host and Beyoncé

The assassination of Charlie Kirk, a prominent right-wing activist, on Wednesday sent shockwaves across the nation. The latest manifestation of political violence in the United States had organizers of the Emmys reviewing their security plans to make sure everything was “buttoned up.”

Executive producer Jesse Collins told Variety, “we are confident in the plans we’ve got in place.” The outlet also got the scoop on other details about the awards ceremony, which will take place on Sunday.

Who will be hosting the Emmys?

Stand-up comedian and writer Nate Bargatze will be hosting the 77th edition of the Emmys. The Nashville, Tennessee native was nominated for two Emmys himself this year. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t win either when they were handed out at the Creative Arts Emmys ceremony.

“I’ve already lost,” he told Variety jokingly, saying that it was “good… So I will relate to all the people that don’t win!”

He plans to make a show a “fun night” for everybody. “There’s enough of the other stuff going on,” he added.

He says that he reviewed the material he plans to use and said, “I don’t think we had any jokes that affected it, that we thought we would have to pull out. I think it’s my job to stick to what I do and make this night be an escape from [the recent headlines].”

He also hopes that he’s come up with a way to keep Emmy winners’ speeches short. Bargatze says that he will donate $100,000 to the Boys & Girls Club on the condition that speeches are kept to their allotted time of 45 seconds.

If someone goes over, he’ll deduct $1,000, but for every speech that is shorter than 45 seconds, he’ll add $1,000 to the pot. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. It could cost me a ton of money. It could cost me no money,” Bargatze said.

Who will be performing at the 2025 Emmys?

Lainey Wilson will be performing with Vince Gill during the Emmys’ annual In Memoriam segment. The duet will sing Gill’s 1996 Country Music Awards Song of the Year “Go Rest High On That Mountain.”

Variety reports that Reba McEntire will lead a singalong at the Emmy’s of ‘Thank You for Being a Friend’ in tribute to the 40th anniversary of The Golden Girls.

What’s the word on Beyoncé attending the 2025 Emmys?

The big question for many is whether Beyoncé will attend along with her husband Jay-Z. She has already won one this year, but her NFL Christmas Day halftime performance special on Netflix, was nominated for five in total, three directly for her.

Jay-Z has been nominated for one for his role as an executive producer on ‘The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Starring Kendrick Lamar’, for which he will be competing against his wife Beyoncé.

It is currently unknown if the couple will attend the ceremony but Collins, who was executive producer on both of their nominated specials, says he’ll be ready.

“She can make anything happen. It doesn’t matter where she is in the world right now, if she wants to be here, she’ll be here, and there will be a seat for her. Several,” he told Variety. “We’re ready for them and whatever they want to do… those are my bosses, so it’s up to them.”

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