Jerrod Carmichael kicks off the 2023 Golden Globes by addressing past controversies
Golden Globes host Jerrod Carmichael kicked off the 80th annual ceremony by addressing controversy over the former diversity of the awards show.
The American comedian told the audience, “I’ll tell you why I’m here, I’m here because I’m black,” as he opened his show in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
Last year’s show was turned into a last-minute “private event” by the organizers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), after drawing heavy criticism for its lack of black members.
“I’ll tell you what’s going on,” Carmichael told the audience at the beginning of the show.
“This show, the Golden Globes, didn’t air last year, because of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which I wouldn’t say is a racist organization, but they have no a black member until the death of George Floyd – do with that information what you will.
“One minute I’m making mint tea at home, the next minute you’re invited to be the black face of a fighting white organization. Life really comes to you very quickly.”
He added: “I took the job assuming they didn’t change anything.
“(But) regardless of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s past, this is an evening we can celebrate.
“And I think the industry deserves evenings like this. And I’m very happy to be here.”
After the collapse, HFPA later announced it would revise its regulations and make changes related to ethics and inclusion.
Tuesday’s big event took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles and saw the return of many famous faces.
The first award of the night, for best supporting actor and actress in a drama film, went to Ke Huy Quan and Angela Basset respectively.
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Several big British names, including Dame Emma Thompson, Olivia Colman, Bill Nighy and Daniel Craig, also competed for the top prize.
Colman is among the nominees for best performance actress in a motion picture: drama, for her role in Empire Of Light, and joins the same category with Cate Blanchett as well as Viola Davis and Ana. De Armas and Michelle Williams.
In the category of Best Actor in a Motion Picture: Drama, Nighy stars Hugh Jackman, Austin Butler, Jeremy Pope and Brendan Fraser.
Fraser, who was nominated for his performance in The Whale, had previously said he would not attend the Golden Globes if nominated, following an alleged incident in 2003.
In 2018, the actor said he was groped by longtime HFPA member Philip Berk, the organization’s former president.
Elsewhere, blockbusters Avatar: The Way Of Water and Top Gun: Maverick lead the best picture: drama category, along with Elvis, The Fabelmans and Tar.
Nominations for best film: musical or comedy include The Banshees Of Inisherin, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and Triangle Of Sadness.
In the best director category, no female director was nominated, with industry heavyweights James Cameron, Martin McDonagh and Steven Spielberg all receiving nominations, Tony Kushner, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and so is Baz Luhrmann.
Naatu Naatu, in the movie RRR, beat out pop heavyweights Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, to win the Golden Globe for best original song.
Indian film composer MM Keeravani accepted the award and thanked the film’s director, SS Rajamouli for his support of his work.
A host of celebrities took on the task of presenting throughout the evening including Letitia Wright, Jennifer Hudson, Salma Hayek, Hilary Swank and Ana De Armas.
Last year, the awards were announced via periodic updates from the Golden Globes website and official social media accounts, after the US network NBC refused to air the show.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/jerrod-carmichael-kicks-off-2023-golden-globes-by-addressing-past-controversy-42277536.html Jerrod Carmichael kicks off the 2023 Golden Globes by addressing past controversies
