On November 9, Hargitay was awarded the Critics’ Choice Documentary Award for Best First Documentary Feature for her film, My Mom Jayne. The documentary, which also served as Hargitay’s directorial debut, followed Hargitay’s journey of discovering who her late mother was, while also capturing the essence of the star she has become.

The sweet moment, captured in a November 10 Instagram video, was raw, emotional, and everything fans love about the iconic Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star. Hargitay couldn’t help but break down crying during her acceptance speech.

“I’m profoundly honored to be in this room and to be amongst so many incredible artists that have inspired me so deeply,” Hargitay said. “I made this movie because I wanted to get to know my mother — because I didn’t know who she was. I didn’t know about her.”

Hargitay was near tears while speaking about her late mother, Jayne Mansfield, but at one point, she couldn’t hold them back any longer.