Beverley Hills, California: Demi Moore and Sebastian Stan were celebrated at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, marking the beginning of Hollywood’s red-carpet season leading up to the Oscars.
Moore took home the award for Best Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy Film for her leading role in The Substance, a poignant tale of a fading actress seeking a fountain of youth.
“I’m just in shock right now,” Moore said as she accepted the trophy on stage. “I’ve been doing this a long time, over 45 years. This is the first time I’ve ever won anything as an actor.” Reflecting on her career, Moore admitted that she once thought her time in the industry was over. However, the script for The Substance reignited her passion. “The universe told me you are not done,” she shared.
Sebastian Stan earned the award for Best Male Actor in a Film Musical or Comedy for his powerful performance in A Different Man, a story about a man with facial disfigurement.
“Our ignorance and discomfort around disability and disfigurement has to end now,” Stan urged during his acceptance speech. “We have to normalize it and continue to expose ourselves to it and our children.”
Zoe Saldana was visibly emotional as she accepted the award for Best Supporting Film Actress for her role in Emilia Perez, a musical thriller where she plays a lawyer assisting a Mexican drug lord in starting a new life and transitioning to a woman.
“My heart is full of gratitude to the Golden Globes for celebrating our film,” Saldana said, weeping as she thanked her co-stars and director.
Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Film Actor for his role in A Real Pain, a dramedy about cousins traveling to Poland to explore their family roots.
The event opened with first-time host Nikki Glaser setting a lighthearted tone. She welcomed the audience to “Ozempic’s biggest night” and humorously called out stars like Timothée Chalamet, Harrison Ford, and Selena Gomez.
“You could do anything, except tell the country who to vote for,” Glaser quipped, referencing the entertainment industry’s vocal political advocacy in the recent U.S. presidential election.
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On the red carpet, celebrities dazzled in a variety of black, gold, and silver ensembles, with occasional pops of red and periwinkle. Ariana Grande, the star of Wicked, turned heads in a yellow Givenchy gown with a beaded bodice, a nod to the yellow brick road from the iconic musical.
“It’s so exciting to be here because I’m such a fan of every single person I bump into,” Grande said, soaking in the glamour of Beverly Hills.
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Winning a Golden Globe is often a significant boost for films and actors ahead of the Academy Awards in March. However, awards experts note that there is no clear front-runner for the coveted Best Picture Oscar this year.
The Golden Globe winners were chosen by 334 entertainment journalists from 85 countries, a notable contrast to the roughly 9,000 voters who participate in the Academy Awards. The Globes’ voting body has undergone expansion and reform in recent years following criticism over ethical lapses and a lack of diversity.
