Sarah Paulson reveals how she helped Katherine LaNasa prep for her first Emmys

Sarah Paulson has long walked the red carpet, given interviews, and weathered the thrill and nerves of awards shows. So when her friend Katherine LaNasa got her first-ever Emmy nomination, Sarah Paulson stepped in like a pro, offering the kind of guidance only someone who’s “been there” can. On Sept. 16, during the Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program Luncheon, Paulson spoke with PEOPLE about how she coached LaNasa ahead of the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards.

LaNasa, 58, was nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category for her role as charge nurse Dana Evans on The Pitt. Before the ceremony, Sarah Paulson shared small but powerful advice: slow down, be present, appreciate every moment. These suggestions came from Paulson’s own experiences, including wisdom handed down by Jamie Lee Curtis, who once told Paulson, “Be where your feet are.”

How “Emmys Coach” Sarah Paulson’s Advice Went Viral

Calling her friend Katherine LaNasa her “Emmys coach,” Paulson’s choice of words struck a chord. She explained she’d “run that gauntlet” many times winning, losing, and learning.With LaNasa stepping into this new territory, Paulson reminded her to enjoy the moment, to breathe not let the glitz, anxiety, or pressure steal the joy.

People resonated with more than just the advice it was the friendship. Paulson painted a picture of women sharing hard-won lessons, passing them along so others don’t feel alone facing big nights like the Emmys.

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The buzz grew even more after LaNasa won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for The Pitt. In her acceptance, she thanked producer John Wells, the nurses who inspired her performance, co-star Noah Wyle, her children, and husband Grant Show. She also said that just being nominated felt like winning that recognition from her peers meant everything.

What makes this story especially moving isn’t just that LaNasa’s first Emmy nomination turned into a win. It’s the way Sarah Paulson leaned in offering calm, presence, perspective exactly what many need but few articulate. This isn’t just about awards. It’s about mentorship, camaraderie, and enjoying hard-earned moments fully. For LaNasa, it’s a new chapter; for Paulson, it’s showing what it means to be a friend who lifts someone up.

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