WAIT… THIS WASN’T EXACTLY THE EMOTIONAL CELEBRATION FANS EXPECTED! Instead of simply celebrating Matthew Rhys’ historic Emmy night, Keri Russell appeared to have an awkward moment with her longtime partner backstage. After Rhys failed to mention her in either acceptance speech, cameras caught Russell seemingly swatting his hand away before pulling him closer for a kiss. What really happened between them?

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Matthew Rhys Makes Emmy History as Keri Russell Moment Draws Attention

Rhys and his longtime partner, Keri Russell, at Monday night's Emmys in Los Angeles

Matthew Rhys made Emmy history on Monday night, but his double victory was not the only moment involving the actor and longtime partner Keri Russell that caught viewers’ attention.

Widow's Bay was the biggest winner at Monday's Emmys. Rhys made history as the first star to take home two leading acting honors in different categories in one night

The 51-year-old Welsh actor won two lead acting awards at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles — Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for Netflix’s The Beast in Me and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Apple TV+’s Widow’s Bay. He became the first performer to win lead acting Emmys in the drama, comedy and limited-series categories, following his 2018 victory for The Americans.

Russell, 50, was also at the ceremony as a nominee for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for The Diplomat, although she ultimately lost to Rhea Seehorn for Pluribus.

Rhys Leaves Russell Out of Both Acceptance Speeches

Despite Rhys apparently snubbing his partner of 12 years, Russell suggested she was still fully supporting him when she was seen letting out a big cheer and applauding enthusiastically from their table when Rhys won his second award of the night

As Rhys collected his first Emmy of the evening for The Beast in Me, viewers noticed that he did not mention Russell in his acceptance speech.

The omission became even more noticeable when he returned to the stage later in the ceremony after winning his second lead acting award for Widow’s Bay. Once again, Russell was not among those he thanked.

Instead, Rhys acknowledged his collaborators, family members and the people behind his projects. During his second speech, he thanked his parents and his sister, who was in the audience, before also paying tribute to Wales.

The moment quickly became a talking point online, particularly because Russell was sitting in the audience throughout the ceremony.

A Tense-Looking Moment Backstage

Rhys again didn't mention Russell during his second win, yet he managed to thank his parents and sister, who was at the ceremony

Attention then shifted to footage captured behind the scenes after Rhys returned with his awards.

Video shared by Yahoo Entertainment reporter Taryn Ryder showed the couple posing together for photographers. At one point, Rhys appeared to put his arm around Russell, who seemed to swat his hand away.

The moment was followed by a very different display of affection. Russell pulled Rhys closer and kissed him on the cheek before the pair sat down together, with Russell appearing to speak to him and pat him on the shoulder.

What Russell actually said is unclear, and there is no confirmation that her gesture was connected to Rhys leaving her out of his speeches. The footage nevertheless prompted plenty of speculation from viewers.

Keri Russell appeared to chide her partner Matthew Rhys in behind-the-scenes footage after he snubbed her twice in his Emmys victory speeches, as she swatted his hand away when he tried to wrap her up for a picture with a photographer

Russell Was Still Cheering Him On

'Matthew Rhys doesn't even look at Keri Russell next to him, and doesn't thank her,' one user on X wrote as they posted a video of the NBC broadcast that they shot on their phone from their TV of the enthusiastic hug

Whatever happened during their brief backstage exchange, Russell continued to celebrate Rhys’s achievements from their table.

When Rhys won his second Emmy of the night, she was seen cheering and applauding enthusiastically.

The couple later posed together for photographers and shared a kiss, offering a much warmer ending to a night that had generated plenty of attention around their onstage interactions.

Rhys also appeared to address the situation with humor when speaking to reporters backstage.

He revealed that the Emmys had become something of a running joke in their household. Before the ceremony, Russell had apparently joked that if he won both awards, she would not go home with him.

Rhys also spoke warmly about Russell, describing her as a “class act” and suggesting that he expected her to have another opportunity to win an Emmy.

Rhys skipped the hug for his second win, though Danes still jumped to her feet to applaud the special moment

Rhys Has a History of Keeping His Awards at Home

After his historic night, Rhys was asked where he planned to put his two new trophies.

His answer offered another glimpse into his long-running connection with Russell.

Rhys explained that the Emmy he won for The Americans in 2018 has been kept in the basement. As he previously told Variety, he had decided not to bring it out until Russell won one herself.

The comment added another layer to the couple’s Emmy story, particularly after Russell’s latest nomination ended without a victory.

Despite the attention surrounding Rhys’s speeches and the brief backstage exchange, the evening ultimately belonged to the actor. His two victories for The Beast in Me and Widow’s Bay marked a historic achievement, while his longtime partner remained by his side throughout the celebration.