The Golden Globes, a night that wouldn’t be complete without a brutally-quick-witted host, and at least a few cheeky ‘golden globe’ innuendos.
In contrast to other respected award shows, the Golden Globes recognizes and honors both film and television, making the competition for those gilded trophies all the more tense and cutthroat. On January 5th, Hollywood royalty gathered for the 2025 ceremony, and the outcomes didn’t disappoint, leaving countless fans picking their jaws up off the floor.
This year’s event was especially historic for several reasons. For one, Nikki Glaser, the first ever solo female host in Golden Globes’ history captured the audience with her savage wit and undeniable charisma. After backlash from Jo Koy’s infamous bomb last year, Glaser faced high expectations, though she exceeded them with ease. Her performance was so well-received that she’s already been named as next year’s host.
Another groundbreaking moment came when A-list icon, Demi Moore finally took home her first Golden Globe for her role as Elizabeth Sparkle in the box office horror hit, The Substance. After 45 years in Hollywood, Moore’s win for Best Actress was an almost poetic triumph. During her emotional acceptance speech, she reflected on her turbulent career: “30 years ago, I had a producer tell me that I was a ‘popcorn actress.’ And at that time… I bought in[to], and I believed that.” Given The Substance’s inherent critique of Hollywood’s beauty standards for women, Moore’s win was all the more appropriate and inspiring.
Richard Gadd’s memoir-esk mini-series, Baby Reindeer also had a momentous night, continuing its award-season domination with wins for ‘Best Mini-Series’, ‘Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television’, and ‘Best Actor in a Mini-series’. Gadd’s raw and deeply personal storytelling clearly resonated with audiences and critics, cementing the show’s status as a deeply emotional cultural phenomenon.
Unfortunately, not every outcome thrilled viewers. Wicked enthusiasts were particularly left unsatisfied with Emilia Perez’s sweep of four major musical categories, outshining the hyped-up adaptation of the Broadway classic. Emilia Perez, starring Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldana, and Selena Gomez, tells the inspirational story of a notorious cartel boss’s gender transition, and its social and personal repercussions. As Wicked fans were preoccupied with wiping their tears of despair, their efforts proved to be pointless when transgender actress, Karla Sofía Gascón delivered an inspiring (and tear-jerking) acceptance speech, declaring that “Light always wins over darkness…You can maybe put us in jail, you can beat us up, but you never can take away our soul, or our resistance, or our dignity. Raise your voice. I am who I am; know who you [are].”
Despite Wicked’s losses, the film did defy gravity by taking home the award for “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement”, a relatively new honor, first introduced in 2024 and bagged by box office hit, Barbie. While some critics dismiss the category as a seeming ‘pity award’, for blockbusters that don’t necessarily fit the standard categories, the win undeniably ensured Wicked’s legacy as a must-see film.
The excitement of the night wasn’t limited to just the trophies, though. Zendaya, star of Dune and Challengers, sparked engagement rumors by sporting a dazzling ring—coincidently on that finger. Known for keeping her relationship with fellow actor and beau, Tom Holland private, Zendaya sent the internet into a swoon-worthy frenzy, to say the least. Days of speculation were confirmed when People magazine broke the exclusive, confirming news of the Hollywood royalty’s engagement. By the time the next Golden Globes rolls around, fans may just have a new A-List marriage to adore, along with a new set of globe-winners.
Award shows as competitive as the Golden Globes are bound to come with their fair share of snubs and cynicism. Yet, anticipation is already building among fans and critics eager to see who will claim next year’s set of gilded trophies—and rumor has it, critics are already sharpening their pitchforks and drafting their hit pieces.
Until next year…
FULL LIST OF MENTIONED CATEGORY NOMINATIONS:
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy:
Demi Moore – The Substance
Amy Adams – Nightbitch
Cynthia Erivo – Wicked
Karla Sofia Gascón – Emilia Peréz
Mikey Madison – Anora
Zendaya – Challengers
Cinematic and Box Office Achievement:
Wicked
Alien: Romulus
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Deadpool & Wolverine
Gladiator III
Inside Out 2
The Wild Robot
Twisters
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture:
Zoe Saldana – Emilia Perez
Ariana Grande – Wicked
Felicity Jones – The Brutalist
Isabella Rossellini – Conclave
Margaret Qualley – The Substance
Selena Gomez – Emilia Perez
Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television:
Baby Reindeer
Disclaimer
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Ripley
The Penguin
True Detective: Night Country
Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television:
Jessica Gunning – Baby Reindeer
Allison Janney – The Diplomat
Dakota Fanning – Ripley
Hannah Einbinder – Hacks
Kali Reis – True Detective: Night Country
Liza Colon-Zayas – The Bear
Sources:
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/06/entertainment/2025-golden-globes-best-moments/index.html
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/demi-moore-golden-globes-best-actress-musical-comedy-1236262291/
https://people.com/zendaya-tom-holland-engaged-8681920
https://goldenglobes.com/articles/nominations-announced-for-82nd-annual-golden-globes/
Photo Credits:
Demi Moore Photo: Rich Polk/GG2025
Zendaya Photo: Getty Images
Nikki Glaser Photo: Sonja Flemming / CBS / Getty Images
