John Floresca Honored with Creative Arts Emmy Nomination

Television Academy’s commitment to accessibility helps nominee and his wife feel fully embraced at the 2025 ceremony

by Cathy Cuff-Coffman

September 14, 2025, marked a career milestone for John Floresca, who was nominated for a Creative Arts Emmy Award for his camerawork on “The Daily Show.” While the nomination itself was a significant honor, Floresca says the evening was made even more memorable by the thoughtful accommodations provided by the Television Academy.

After notifying staff that he uses a wheelchair full-time, Floresca was impressed by the level of preparation and attention to detail awaiting him and his wife upon arrival. “It was very meticulously planned with compassion,” he noted.

From transportation to seating and event navigation, Floresca explained that every aspect of the evening ran seamlessly. “My escort made the pathway effortless, kept things calm, and truly made me feel human and fully part of the ceremony,” he said.

Although his category ultimately went to another nominee, Floresca says the experience was no less meaningful. “Everything went so smoothly that I felt at ease the whole night—well, except for that one moment when our category was announced. Alas, not us… but that’s showbiz, right?” he joked.

“I wrote a thank you letter to the Academy,” says Floresca. “It really made me feel part of the event and feel human, instead of being put in a corner that someone needed to deal with.”

Floresca continues, “It was very meticulously, planned with compassion. I felt part of the ceremony.”

For Floresca, the significance of the event extended beyond his professional recognition. He emphasized the impact of being fully included in an evening that could otherwise have been stressful. “The accessibility and crowd flow were handled so well that it felt like a complete 180 from my last awards experience,” he said. “What the team accomplished gave me the chance to simply be present and enjoy the evening. That gift means the world to me.”

Floresca says the night will be remembered not only for the Emmy nomination but for the sense of belonging fostered by the Academy’s efforts.

Floresca’s Thank You Letter to the Academy

“I just want to take a moment to thank you, Lourdes, the Academy, and everyone on the teams at Peacock and the Gala for making Sunday night such an incredible experience.

I can’t overstate how much I appreciated the thoughtfulness behind all of it. What you and the team accomplished gave me the chance to focus on simply being present and enjoying the evening. That gift means the world to me.

Please extend my gratitude to Lourdes and the rest of the Academy team for everything they did to make it special. I’ll remember this night not just for the ceremony, but for how seamlessly and gracefully you made it all come together.”