Emmys: Meet Nena Erb, the first Asian American and joint women of color to win the Emmy for comedy editing (‘Insecure’)

Nena Erb is a gifted ACE-nominated and Emmy-winning editor born in Taipei, Taiwan and based in Los Angeles. Her family immigrated to the US in the late 70’s to live in a democracy and have the right to vote. Raised in an Asian American immigrant family, Nena’s father wanted her to be a doctor and her mother wanted her to be a pianist with the LA Philharmonic.  Nena wanted to be Andy Warhol. She never thought she’d be a history-making, Emmy-winning editor, but now she is, again.

After graduating with an art degree, a friend brought her into the entertainment industry and she started working in various capacities in production. It was her stint as an associate producer that gave her the opportunity to work closely with editors. This proved to be a defining moment for her interest in post-production.

As both an Asian American and person of color, she is committed to advancing the stories of others. She is thrilled to be a continuing part of the team showing the reality of life for modern women of color in America.  Her work can also be seen on the groundbreaking series Little America from Apple TV+.  As an immigrant herself, she’s excited to help shape standout episodes for this series this season including “The Son,” tackling a gay man’s struggle for safety and love as he attempts a harrowing immigration to the United States and “The Silence,” which charts love among immigrants in a situation where sound/speaking is forbidden. 

In 2016, she received an Emmy award for her work on HBO’s documentary series Project Greenlight, the first Asian American and woman of color to win in that category. In addition, she has received two ACE Eddie nominations for her work, one for HBO’s Peabody award-winning series Insecure and the other for CW’s acclaimed series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. 

Last night, Erb and her colleague Lynarion Hubbard won the Emmy for Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for A Comedy Series on HBO’s Emmy-nominated and Peabody award-winning series Insecure, for the episode ”Lowkey Trying” directed by Emmy winner Kerry Washington. As with her previous win, Erb makes Emmy history by being the first Asian American and with Hubbard, the first women of color to win this award.

You can read and watch Erb’s full acceptance speech from last night Creative Arts Emmy Awards below.

“Thank you for this incredible honor. Issa Rae, Prentice Penny, Deniese Davis. Kerry Washington, Lynarion Hubbard, the entire team at insecure, publicist Annie Jeeves, agent Ivana Savic, Gena Declo, Joanna McMeiken, and everyone at HBO. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my husband Eric, I couldn’t have done this without you.”

“You know, none of us is gonna remember who won this award a week from now but being an immigrant and a woman of color, I’ll always remember that Issa made sure I had a seat at the table. This was possible because of her. Thank you.”