Inside the 2026 Golden Globes: See the Moments the TV Cameras Didn’t Catch

The 83rd annual Golden Globes returned to screens on Sunday night, bringing Hollywood’s leading names back into the same room for one of awards season’s most closely watched ceremonies. Held at the Beverly Hilton, the evening unfolded across packed tables, constant chatting, photo ops during commercial breaks, and a steady stream of off-camera moments that never quite made it to television.

Before the doors closed, the bar served as the celebration’s unofficial meeting point. Sabrina Elba and Evan Ross were deep in conversation, while Damson Idris, Ayo Edebiri, and Joe Alwyn filtered through the crowd. Adam Brody caught up with his Nobody Wants This costars nearby, and when Mark Ruffalo crossed paths with Jennifer Garner, it sparked a 13 Going on 30 nostalgia-fueled throwback among those who noticed. Aimee Lou Wood was also standing stunned after Ed Harris complimented her acting.

Dinner, curated by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, set the pace before the ceremony began. The menu included yellowtail jalapeño, a caviar cup, lobster salad with spicy lemon dressing, and a progression of nigiri, each brushed with nikiri soy.

Just before the start time, arrivals continued. Lori Harvey walked in with Ryan Destiny and Liza Koshy, while Macaulay Culkin and Jeremy Allen White greeted each other as soon as tmhey entered, joined by Brenda Song. The last person to arrive before the show officially began was Kylie Jenner, who slipped into the room solo and met Timothée Chalamet at their table.

As the exclusive champagne partner for the last 35 years, Moët & Chandon was everywhere you looked. A red-carpet vending machine was stocked with miniature bottles, and both classic Moët Impérial and Moët Rosé Impérial were served to complement the meal. The maison also continued its traditional Toast for a Cause initiative, inviting the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Zoey Deutch, Brittany Snow, Kate Hudson, Minnie Driver, and Wanda Sykes to raise a glass for their respective charities (to date, the celebratory heartfelt project has supported over 30 nonprofits.

Before the first award was presented, Golden Globe president Helen Hoehne addressed the crowd, highlighting the organization’s year of expansion. She noted that the Globes welcomed 400 new voters from 95 countries and introduced the best-podcast category. Hoehne also shared her excitement about welcoming Nikki Glaser back as host for a second consecutive year, following the praise she received last season.

Glaser certainly justified the return. Opening her monologue, she framed the evening with honey-laced sarcasm, calling the Globes “without a doubt, the most important thing happening in the world right now” before dismantling the premise entirely. The jokes came fast, and no one was spared, as she lightheartedly skewered everyone from George Clooney and Kevin Hart to The White Lotus, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Sean Penn—all while still finding moments to praise Michael B. Jordan’s dual performance in Sinners, Ariana Grande’s vocals, and Chalamet’s commitment to his latest role in Marty Supreme. By the time she wrapped, the room was fully warmed up.

The night’s first presenters, Amanda Seyfried and Jennifer Garner, took to the stage to present best supporting female actor in a motion picture, handing the trophy to an emotional Teyana Taylor and setting an energetic pace. The mom of two emotionally dedicated her win to her “fellow brown sisters and little brown girls.” Tearfully, she continued: “Our softness is not a liability. Our depth is not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into. Our voices matter, and our dreams deserve space.

Indeed, One Battle After Another would prove to be a clear winner on the night. Receiving his “double Gs” for best screenplay and director, Paul Thomas Anderson said: “Writers, we’re magpies, we steal from everyone.… I share this with everyone I magpie’d off of.”

Best limited-series winner Adolescence continued to sweep the boards too. As the room stood for Stephen Graham’s recognition for best actor in a limited series, Owen Cooper, his onscreen son, proudly filmed the speech on his iPhone. Cooper and Erin Doherty, who plays his therapist, also won in their respective categories. Onstage Doherty dedicated her award to therapists: “Life can be tough. Mental health is everything. So thank you to therapists, and it was an honor to play one.”

Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which went into the night with seven nominations, took home the wins for best score and cinematic and box-office achievement. In a surprise twist, the front-runner for best actor in a drama, Michael B. Jordan (as well as fellow nominees Jeremy Allen White, Dwayne Johnson, Joel Edgerton, and Oscar Isaac), lost out to The Secret Agent’s Wagner Moura.

During the three-hour event, everyone seemed to be on their feet at any given opportunity. Sushi trays appeared at the bar during commercial breaks alongside an array of desserts. During the first break, Colman Domingo and Evan Ross grabbed cocktails, while mega-stylist Law Roach was on standby near his talent for quick touch-ups between camera resets. Emma Stone, Chase Sui Wonders, and Kirsten Dunst were all spotted ducking out between segments for fast touch-ups before heading back to their tables.

Later, the new best-podcast category made its debut, with Snoop Dogg presenting the award to Amy Poehler (who has hosted the Golden Globes several times). Accepting the honor, Poehler joked that she had always envisioned receiving a podcast award from Snoop Dogg, which got a big laugh from the room.

Throughout the night, the room stayed in motion. Patrick Schwarzenegger and Ayo Edebiri chatted between awards, Selena Gomez arrived with Benny Blanco, and Hailee Steinfeld was spotted affectionately embracing her baby bump. DiCaprio and Chalamet hugged and caught up, while Jennifer Lawrence shared a laugh with Jenner nearby. Their table proved to be a popular pit stop, with Ariana Grande also coming over to say hello to the couple and Odessa A’zion.

In the midst of Heated Rivalry’s breakout success, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie were once again fan favorites of the night, with guests stopping them constantly for selfies whenever they moved through the room. No one was more taken by the duo than Charli XCX, who leapt to her feet when the actors made their way to the stage.

“What a beautiful night to be an artist,” remarked Julia Roberts when readying to present the award for best musical or comedy motion picture (and in the middle of receiving a standing ovation for, well, being Julia Roberts). While she was nominated on the night for best actress in a drama motion picture, the award ultimately went to a Dior-clad Jessie Buckley for her heart-shattering performance in Hamnet.

Hamnet also received the award for best drama motion picture, with director Chloé Zhao visibly shocked as she attempted to stand up from her seat. “Paul Mescal said making Hamnet made him realize that the most important thing about being an artist is learning to be vulnerable—to allow yourself to be seen for who you are, not who you ought to be,” she paraphrased while surrounded by the cast on the podium.

Best-supporting-actor winner Stellan Skarsgård thanked his wife for her tough love. “Cinema should be seen in cinema,” he reminded viewers watching at home as he accepted the award for the Norwegian indie Sentimental Value.

Meanwhile, The Pitt’s Noah Wyle, who is on a winning streak lately, accepted his nod for best TV drama actor as he shouted out his wife’s birthday tonight: “I hope you enjoy your party!” The gripping medical show also won best TV drama series.

“What can I say? I’m a greedy bitch,” laughed Jean Smart, winner of best actress in a musical or comedy series, referring to her countless awards as the lead of comedy show Hacks. Another actor with impeccable comedic chops, Rose Byrne—while incredulous about her win for best actress in a musical or comedy motion picture—joked that her husband, Bobby Cannavale, missed the ceremony because he was at a reptile expo in New Jersey picking out a new bearded dragon for the couple.

KPop Demon Hunters—Netflix’s most-watched original movie ever—received nods for best animated film and best original song (for “Golden”). The latter inspired host Glaser to slip into performer mode, serenading the room with her version of an upbeat K-pop song until she was interrupted by Fran Drescher.

Pluribus—recently named Apple TV’s most-watched show in history—was in the spotlight once more as its lead, Rhea Seehorn, received the award for best actress in a TV drama. In another feat for Apple TV, Seth Rogen’s The Studio won two awards: best musical or comedy TV series and best actor in a musical or comedy TV series.

See the full list of winners here.

This article was originally published on Vogue.com.