BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — The highly anticipated return of the Golden Globes took place on Sunday night with a star-studded ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The annual awards show, which had faced controversies in recent years, aimed to regain viewers with an evening filled with glitz and glamour.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization responsible for the Golden Globes, had been under scrutiny after a 2021 Los Angeles Times investigation revealed its lack of diversity, with not a single Black member among its ranks. This revelation had overshadowed the event in recent years.
However, this year’s ceremony signaled a change. After the HFPA dissolved, the Golden Globes brand was bought by Dick Clark Productions and the show was now voted on by “more than 300 member journalists from around the world, of whom half are ethnically and racially diverse,” according to the Globes Foundation.
Notable celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kylie Jenner graced the red carpet, bringing their star power to the beleaguered show. The evening saw several films, including “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie,” “Poor Things,” and “Anatomy of a Fall,” receive multiple awards. Christopher Nolan finally took home his first Golden Globe after six nominations.
In the TV categories, “Beef,” “The Bear,” and “Succession” emerged as the big winners. The Awards telecast, broadcast on CBS, enjoyed a significant increase in viewership, with an average of 9.4 million viewers, representing a 50% increase from the previous year.
The Golden Globes historically held significant influence in the entertainment industry, and this year’s ceremony marked a new beginning for the prestigious awards. The focus on diversity and inclusion, along with the presence of acclaimed stars, created an atmosphere of optimism and excitement. The Golden Globes aimed to regain its status as a pinnacle event in the industry, and with this year’s successful show, it seems the endeavor was met with resounding success.