Hollywood stars have returned to the Golden Globes in pressure – however host Jerrod Carmichael wasted no time addressing the variety controversy that has overshadowed the awards.
On an evening that noticed huge wins for TV exhibits The White Lotus, Abbott Elementary and House Of The Dragon – with The Banshees of Inisherin and Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans taking house the highest movie prizes – one of many fundamental speaking factors forward of the ceremony had been the query of who would flip up.
Last yr’s Golden Globes occasion was held in non-public, with no TV broadcast and winners introduced on social media – and lots of stars selected to not acknowledge their successes.
Read extra: Golden Globes – The greatest appears on the pink carpet
It adopted a Los Angeles Times expose in 2021 which discovered that organisers the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) had no black members voting for the awards. The investigation additionally included allegations of inappropriate “freebies” influencing votes.
“I’ll tell you why I’m here – I’m here because I’m black,” stated US comic Carmichael as he opened the occasion in Los Angeles final night time.
“This present, the Golden Globe Awards didn’t air final yr, as a result of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which I will not say they have been a racist organisation, however they did not have a single black member till George Floyd died – do with that data what you’ll.
“One minute I’m making mint tea at home, the next you’re invited to be the black face of an embattled white organisation. Life really comes at you fast.”
He added: “I took this job assuming they hadn’t changed at all. Regardless of whatever the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s past may be, this is an evening where we get to celebrate. And I think this industry deserves evenings like these. And I’m happy to be here.”
Who was there – and who received what?
Stars together with Margot Robbie, Rihanna, Brad Pitt, Viola Davis, Michelle Williams, Lily James, Eddie Murphy, Selena Gomez, Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne have been among the many A-listers in attendance on the ceremony.
The Banshees Of Inisherin received the gong for greatest movie (comedy or musical) – with Colin Farrell named greatest actor in the identical class.
In the drama class, The Fabelmans was topped the winner – and Spielberg additionally picked up the award for greatest director for the movie, which is loosely based mostly on his childhood rising up in Arizona after the Second World War.
Austin Butler was named greatest actor in a drama for his portrayal of Elvis Presley within the biopic Elvis, whereas Michelle Yeoh was named greatest actress in a musical or comedy for Everything Everywhere All At Once.
For TV, The White Lotus triumphed within the class for greatest restricted collection, anthology collection or movement image made for tv, whereas star Jennifer Coolidge took house the award for greatest supporting actress.
Abbott Elementary took house three awards – greatest TV comedy or musical, greatest actress for Quinta Brunson, and greatest supporting actor for Tyler James Williams – whereas Game Of Thrones prequel House Of The Dragon was named greatest TV drama.
Cate Blanchett, Kevin Costner and Zendaya have been additionally among the many winners within the appearing classes, however didn’t attend the ceremony.
TV author, director and producer Ryan Murphy, a five-time Golden Globe winner and 16-time nominee, referenced the controversy of final yr’s present as he acquired the Carol Burnett particular award honouring excellence in tv.
He led a standing ovation for Michaela Jae Rodriguez, who final yr made historical past as the primary transgender actress to win an award – greatest actress in a TV drama for her portrayal of “house mother” Blanca Rodriguez in his present Pose – as she by no means received her second in 2022.
Read extra: The full checklist of winners
The Globes additionally honoured Eddie Murphy with a particular gong, presenting the star with the Cecil B DeMille profession achievement award.
Murphy, recognized for movies together with Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, Coming To America, The Nutty Professor and the Shrek franchise, used his acceptance speech to make reference to Will Smith’s notorious slap on the 2022 Oscars.
“I want to let you know that there is a definitive blueprint that you can follow to achieve success, prosperity, longevity, and peace of mind,” he advised the viewers. “There’s a blueprint and I followed it my whole career, it’s very simple…
“Just do these three issues: Pay your taxes. Mind your online business, and hold Will Smith’s spouse’s identify out of your f****** mouth!”
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The awards took a more serious tone with an appearance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, introduced on screen by actor and activist Sean Penn – who has visited Ukraine several times since Russia’s invasion almost a year ago.
Mr Zelenskyy told the audience that it was “clear” the “tide was turning” in the ongoing war in his country, and that Ukraine would be triumphant.
The Golden Globes controversy defined
Last yr’s occasion was was a “private event” on the final minute by the HFPA after it confronted heavy criticism over its lack of black members.
Since the fallout, the organisation has been trying to rebuild the awards’ repute from the highest down, including greater than 100 new voters to its voting physique, which it says “is now 52% female, 51.5% racially and ethnically diverse”. For the primary time, journalists from different international locations may also be a part of the combination.
Twenty-one new members joined the HFPA final yr, six of whom are black, and membership eligibility was expanded from Los Angeles to wherever within the United States.
Tom Cruise, whose movie Top Gun: Maverick was nominated for greatest drama, and Brendan Fraser, who was nominated for a greatest actor award for his efficiency in The Whale, have been notable absences at this yr’s occasion following the controversy.
Cruise famously returned his three Golden Globe awards after the HFPA revelations. Fraser had stated he wouldn’t attend following an alleged incident on the Globes ceremony in 2003.
Source: information.sky.com”