Danity Pike ’27
Chloe Islam ’26
As the new year settles in, Hollywood kicks off its annual awards season with the Golden Globes, a celebration of excellence in film and television. This year’s Golden Globes were a colossal success. They embodied the values that the Globes were originally founded on: hard work and determination leading to incredible achievements. The Golden Globes were first organized in 1944 by the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association (HCFA), a group of film journalists that later changed its name to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). Since its founding, the Golden Globes have evolved to include award recognition for both the film and TV industry, and it’s often seen as a precursor to the esteemed Oscars and Emmys. This year’s ceremony, held on January 5th in Los Angeles, honored the hard work and determination—and the inevitable touch of drama—that define the film industry.
On the side of films, The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez achieved impressive wins for best motion pictures. “Wicked” only won for cinematic and box office achievement, which shocked viewers and participants alike. Due to the flood of support for this movie musical, especially in mainstream media, its snubs came as a slight shock. Ritvika Nandan ’25 watched the film and noted, “I think it’s kind of crazy how ‘Wicked’ didn’t win. I just feel like it was so well done.” Since the Golden Globes serve as a precursor to the more notable Oscars and Emmy awards, perhaps a sweep of accolades is not in the cards for Wicked this awards season. On the side of television, Shōgun, Hacks, and Baby Reindeer took home awards for (respectively) Best Television Series, Best Musical/Comedy Series, and Best Limited Series.
The Golden Globes provide recognition for the most seasoned actors. Demi Moore received her first Golden Globe this year for her brilliant work in “The Substance,” a new horror movie. Sean Reagle ’27 remarks, “I enjoyed watching veteran Demi Moore win best actress. It was for her work in an outstanding and captivating film about beauty standards in the movie industry.” Moments of well-deserved and often tear-jerking victories are audience favorites. Though Dan Clay, Theatre Department Chair and acting teacher, did not tune in to the ceremony this year, he usually enjoys hearing personal acceptance speeches. “I like it when an underdog wins. When someone you don’t think is gonna take it upsets the awards. Or, [I like when] someone who really deserves it [wins], who has been under-recognized in the past. I also like seeing who’s gonna host it,” Clay muses.
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Nikki Glaser, the hilarious host of this year’s Golden Globes, was a particular standout. Equipped with well-time banter and high-quality comedy, she made history as the Golden Globe’s first female solo host. Sean Reagle ‘27 comments on her success: “My favorite moment from this year’s Globes was their host Nikki Glaser. Her comedic elements really brought a lively environment to the screen.” Ritvika Nandan ‘25 shares this sentiment: “I really like her ability to roast the celebrities without being too harsh.” The Golden Globes truly catapulted Glaser into a new demographic of talented comedians—especially when compared to the controversy of last year’s host, Jo Koy.
Photo courtesy of latimes.com
Despite the Golden Globes’ popularity, there have also been significant controversies regarding the HFPA’s role in determining the nominees and winners. In 2019, the HFPA failed to nominate any women in the “Best Director” category and faced complaints from women in the film industry. “There is still not enough work, in Hollywood in general, for female directors,” Clay criticizes. “We haven’t quite broken the barrier. There’s definitely more women in directing, but it’s not enough representation.” The Globes’ lack of inclusion may be the symptom of a larger systemic issue regarding women in the film industry.
This backlash led to many believing that the Golden Globes’ ultimate winners do not reflect the clear trends in the film and TV industry. Further, the controversy sparked doubts about the HFPA’s credibility. Ivie Enakhimion ‘26 reflects, “It’s a global trend to have more feminist movies or movies that want to make a statement, but the male critics don’t know what’s going on, and it’s not going to reflect the public’s overall opinion.” In addition, the HFPA has received criticism for having no black members, a significant issue because the HFPA consists of voting members for the Golden Globes. This caused NBC not to broadcast the 2021 Golden Globes. However, in the following years, the HFPA has tried to make inclusivity and diversity its primary goals.
Overall, the 2025 Golden Globes celebrated talent all throughout the entertainment industry. Each film and television series had something new to offer, intriguing audiences worldwide. The Golden Globes has served as a way for people to appreciate the arts, and hopefully will continue to fulfill this mission in the future.