The raucous, star-filled and always unpredictable extravaganza that kicks off awards season, the Golden Globes are first up on the Hollywood calendar for a reason – after all, the great and the good of the industry need a place to let their hair down before things get more serious and stuffy in the run-up to the Oscars on 2 March. And let their hair down they certainly did – from Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner’s canoodling and host Nikki Glaser’s musical interlude to Kieran Culkin’s tequila-fuelled speech, these are all the moments you might have missed from the spectacular red carpet and the dazzling ceremony.
The lookalikes were out in force
Is that Glen Powell and Timothée Chalamet arriving at the Golden Globes? Eh… not exactly. After a year of frenzied lookalike contests, it was, surely, always going to end this way.
‘Twisters’ star Glenn Powell meets his lookalike Max Braunstein on the #GoldenGlobes red carpet pic.twitter.com/93Z70aB3CY
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 5, 2025
Between navigating screaming fans and teaching his parents to pose for the step and repeat, the real Glen Powell also, adorably, found time to meet – and introduce his mum to – his lookalike, Max Braunstein. A true gent.
We continued to hold space for Wicked
Bless the box-office record-breaking big-screen musical for providing the meme-worthy press tour to end all press tours – and with its sequel, Wicked: For Good, due to land on screens later this autumn, its stars aren’t going anywhere. Bringing yet more joy to the Globes red carpet were the franchise’s leads, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, naturally, but also scene-stealer Cesily Collette (aka Young Nessarose) who was a literal angel in puff-sleeved polka dots.
Cesily Collette Taylor, who plays young Nessa in 'Wicked', is THAT girl! 💖 #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/LuYczvqTXm
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) January 6, 2025
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo pose for photos at the #GoldenGlobes. https://t.co/24rsV7nzLm pic.twitter.com/04kJcSEYjk
— Variety (@Variety) January 6, 2025
Stars took a literal approach to the dress code
What else to wear to the Golden Globes but a retina-searing golden gown? From Cate Blanchett to Mikey Madison, Mindy Kaling, Ariana Grande, and Eiza González, the A-listers seemed to have gotten the memo.
Ayo Edebiri paid homage to ’90s Julia Roberts
In her Loewe suit, the Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy nominee nodded to Roberts’s oversized Armani look from the ’90s, the year she won the Best Supporting Actress statuette for Steel Magnolias. Obsessed.
Zendaya brought the glamour… and instant engagement rumors
Zendaya stuns as she arrives to the #GoldenGlobes red carpet pic.twitter.com/2meoqFLUTi
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 6, 2025
On the shortlist for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Challengers, the star dazzled like only she could. But truthfully, her burnt orange Louis Vuitton gown (a tribute to Joyce Bryant), was somewhat usurped by the presence of an enormous sparkler on Zendaya’s ring finger. Did a certain someone pop the question over Christmas?
Emma Stone made us all want to get pixie crops
Emma Stone poses for photos at the #GoldenGlobes. https://t.co/24rsV7nzLm pic.twitter.com/JatVQmlqQf
— Variety (@Variety) January 6, 2025
It’s giving Jean Seberg via Nicole Kidman in Birth, and we’re so here for it.
But no one could quite top Jeremy Strong
Jeremy Strong poses for photos at the #GoldenGlobes. https://t.co/24rsV7nzLm pic.twitter.com/1WJsYiT86z
— Variety (@Variety) January 5, 2025
The sunglasses, the suit, the matching bucket hat – the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture nominee for The Apprentice didn’t hold back. He was joined in his self-proclaimed “pastel universe” by fellow nominee – for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for Ripley – Andrew Scott.
Andrew Scott and Jeremy Strong have a meeting of the blue suits at the #GoldenGlobes . 💙🩵 pic.twitter.com/IbaNfrjzSL
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) January 6, 2025
There was a super cute Moulin Rouge! reunion
Ewan McGregor, a nominee in the Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television category for his work on A Gentleman in Moscow, ran into his longtime friend and former co-star, Babygirl’s Nicole Kidman, in what made for a wonderfully touching moment. In the sizzling new romp, McGregor’s own daughter, Esther, actually plays Kidman’s daughter. “It’s all too weird, and too small a world!” beamed Nicole.
Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor reunite at the 2025 #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/GgF82yzILW
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) January 6, 2025
Women over 50 had the most fun
Isabella Rossellini, Sharon Stone, Jean Smart, Salma Hayek Pinault, Jennifer Coolidge, Pamela Anderson et al had an absolute blast, from shutting down the red carpet to having a ball at the ceremony itself.
Paparazzi going nuts over Jennifer Coolidge #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/7IUkbHotbb
— Live On The Chat (@LiveOnTheChat) January 6, 2025
Love was in the air
Everyone's favorite LOVEBIRDS have arrived to the #GoldenGlobes – @selenagomez & @ItsBennyBlanco 💍 pic.twitter.com/Ic1KISBf8C
— MTV (@MTV) January 6, 2025
The newly engaged Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco looked very much in love, as did Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, as they huddled together on the A Complete Unknown table. Swoon.
Nikki Glaser gave a barnstorming opening monologue
Nikki Glaser’s opening monologue at the #GoldenGlobes. What did we think? pic.twitter.com/F2J6VS33Ae
— I Love To Talk Film (@ILoveToTalkFilm) January 6, 2025
She was never going to bomb like last year’s host, Jo Koy, but, to the audience’s delight, the first woman to host the Golden Globes solo did a truly excellent job. She declared the event to be “Ozempic’s biggest night” and then proceeded to roast everything and everyone from Ben Affleck and RFK Jr to Joker: Folie à Deux and Chalamet’s mustache (which Glaser described as “gorgeous eyelashes on your upper lip”). Bonus points, too, for the “Pope-ular” musical number that came later.
#GoldenGlobes host Nikki Glaser does a Conclave-themed rendition of "Popular," from #Wicked. https://t.co/QUzDz2Lepj pic.twitter.com/pM5VFLrczK
— Variety (@Variety) January 6, 2025
Zoe Saldaña all but secured herself the Oscar
Your talent knows no bounds, Zoe Saldaña! Congratulations on winning Best Supporting Female Actor – Motion Picture at the #GoldenGlobes! pic.twitter.com/PCHqIqnUxf
— Golden Globes (@goldenglobes) January 6, 2025
When she was announced as the winner in the Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture category, the Emilia Pérez star broke down in tears, shouting “Oh my god, what the fuck!” as she climbed up to the podium. She gave an incredibly moving, masterful speech, telling her illustrious co-stars, “You’re all magic”, and continuing to thank her friends, family and colleagues even as she was being played off. It’s all too easy to picture her triumphing once again in a few months’ time at the Oscars.
Kieran Culkin let the tequila go to his head
Hats off to you, Kieran Culkin! Congratulations again on winning the award for Best Supporting Male Actor – Motion Picture!
— Golden Globes (@goldenglobes) January 6, 2025
There are more awards coming up 🔜 tune in to the #GoldenGlobes happening NOW on @CBS and @paramountplus! pic.twitter.com/enyLbGe3vx
The A Real Pain actor admitted that he’d just done a shot of tequila before galloping onto the stage, and was as charming as ever, thanking his wife for “putting up with what you call my mania. I have a therapist now, it’s fine. It’s not fine – it’s a lot of work. We’ll see where that goes.” Cool as a cucumber.
Demi Moore left everyone misty-eyed
Demi Moore accepts her #GoldenGlobe: "Today I celebrate this as a marker of my wholeness and of the love that is driving me, and for the gift of doing something I love, and being reminded that I do belong." https://t.co/QUzDz2Lepj pic.twitter.com/CWCzDX2xOi
— Variety (@Variety) January 6, 2025
For her transformation into Elisasue in The Substance, the acting legend scooped the award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and went on to give a speech for the ages. “I’m just in shock right now,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for over 45 years and this is the first time I’ve ever won anything as an actor. I’m so humbled and grateful. Thirty years ago, I had a producer tell me that I was a popcorn actress. At that time, I made that mean that this wasn’t something that I was allowed to have, that I couldn’t be acknowledged. I believed that, and that corroded me to the point where I thought, a few years ago, that maybe this was it. As I was at a low point, I had this bold, bonkers script come across my desk. And the universe told me: you’re not done… I celebrate this as a marker of my wholeness.” Bravo.
Shōgun swept the board
Anna Sawai wins the #GoldenGlobe for best performance by a female actor in a television series — drama. https://t.co/NjoSZaUKEu pic.twitter.com/gz3UFeP3T7
— Variety (@Variety) January 6, 2025
The ravishing epic had four wins from its four nominations – for its formidable lead actor Hiroyuki Sanada, impressive supporting actor Tadanobu Asano and luminous lead actress Anna Sawai, as well as Best TV Series: Drama – and it was a genuine thrill to see it dominate.
Viola Davis got her due—and handed the Best Actress in a Drama prize to Fernanda Torres in a shock victory
Just two days ago, the EGOT attended the Golden Globe Awards’ inaugural Golden Gala: A Celebration of Excellence, where she was presented with the Cecil B DeMille Award for lifetime achievement. “I feel like someone just set me on fire,” Davis said through tears, as she was handed her statuette by the prize’s 2017 recipient, Meryl Streep. “Little Viola is squealing. She’s standing behind me now, she’s pulling on my dress.”
Fernanda Torres wins Best Female Actor – Motion Picture Drama for #ImStillHere at the 2025 #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/F8nTNUCFeD
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 6, 2025
Then, tonight, she came to the Globes stage to present the Best Actress in a Drama prize, which went to none other than I’m Still Here’s Fernanda Torres, over favorites including Babygirl’s Nicole Kidman and Maria’s Angelina Jolie. The Brazilian actor looked totally bowled over as she walked to the stage, saying, “My god, I didn’t prepare anything! I want to dedicate this to my mother. Thank you very much.” A huge surprise and thoroughly well-deserved, making for a vintage Golden Globes moment.
Stoke’s finest made his Golden Globes debut
As Vogue’s own Daisy Jones put it, America doesn’t need to “get” Robbie Williams. Rob’s debut appearance at the Golden Globes on Sunday night – where he was nominated for Best Original Song for “Forbidden Road”, from his new biopic, Better Man – wearing a bedazzled silver suit and matching sunnies, is unlikely to have done much to dispel the general bafflement.
The Brutalist established itself as a front runner for the rest of awards season
Adrien Brody wins Best Male Actor – Motion Picture Drama for #TheBrutalist at the 2025 #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/zoZ0j3KVC4
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 6, 2025
Emilia Pérez ended the night with four prizes including Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy – its magnificent lead, Karla Sofía Gascón, took centre stage at the end of the ceremony to tell the audience: “The light always wins over darkness” – but it was Brady Corbet’s ambitious saga which ruled the final portion of the show. Earlier in the evening, the auteur had secured the Best Director prize (while his young daughter wept), after which Adrien Brody was named Best Actor in a Drama, and broke down as he thanked his parents, giving a speech that seemed to leave everyone choked up. The Brutalist was then named Best Motion Picture – Drama, giving it a much-needed boost ahead of the flurry of award ceremonies still to come. Bring it on.
#TheBrutalist wins Best Motion Picture – Drama at the 2025 #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/Pn00MMHzDP
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 6, 2025
#EmiliaPerez wins Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 2025 #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/dsJtabeuWP
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) January 6, 2025
This article was originally published on British Vogue.