EntertainmentD'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai makes powerful statement at Emmys with red mark

D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai makes powerful statement at Emmys with red mark

D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai
D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai
Images source: © Getty Images | Allen J. Schaben

9:42 AM EDT, September 16, 2024

D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai is the star of the series "Reservation Dogs." On the red carpet at the 2024 Emmy Awards, he displayed a red mark on his face. It's known what it symbolizes.

"Reservation Dogs" is an American teen series created by Taika Waititi and Sterlin Harjo. It has been available on the Disney+ platform since June 2022. The series tells the story of four Native American teenagers from Oklahoma who sometimes commit crimes and sometimes fight them. D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai plays Bear Smallhill, one of the gang members. The Series has gone relatively unnoticed in the US but is quite a hit abroad, having seen three seasons and an Emmy nomination.

a 22-year-old actor with a red symbol on his face

It is said that the series "Reservation Dogs" is one of the best Disney+ productions. This year, the platform's executives could pop champagne. At the Emmy Awards ceremony, shows like "The Bear" and "Shogun," also available on Disney+, triumphed. "Reservation Dogs" was nominated in four categories. D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai had a chance to win a statue for Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

The 22-year-old actor stood out on the red carpet. He had a hand-shaped mark on his face. This was an expression of solidarity with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement. The gesture symbolizes the silent voices of Indigenous people who have gone missing or were murdered in recent years in America and calls attention to the lack of response from law enforcement to the ongoing crisis.

D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai was born in Toronto. His ancestors came from the Oji-Cree community. He only recently started his career and has already been nominated for an Emmy. His first job in show business was the "Holly Hobbie" series for the Family Channel. He could also be seen in the film "Unmatched" with Maddie Ziegler in the lead role.

  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai attends the Walt Disney Company's Emmy Awards Celebration at The Music Center on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kayla Oaddams/Getty Images)
  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai attends the Walt Disney Company's Emmy Awards Celebration at The Music Center on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kayla Oaddams/Getty Images)
  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai attends the Walt Disney Company's Emmy Awards Celebration at The Music Center on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kayla Oaddams/Getty Images)
  • LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: (L-R) __ and  D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai attend the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
  • D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai at The Walt Disney Company 2024 Emmy Awards Celebration held at The Music Center on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Elyse Jankowski/Variety via Getty Images)
  • D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards held at Peacock Theater on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.  (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
[1/6] LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai attends the Walt Disney Company's Emmy Awards Celebration at The Music Center on September 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kayla Oaddams/Getty Images)Images source: © GETTY | Kayla Oaddams