Inside the Beverly Hilton at Sunday’s Golden Globes provided a dramatically different viewing experience from anything you saw on television. Gold Derby’s reporters were stationed throughout the room, the backstage area, and, yes, the bar to record all the key moments that weren’t broadcast by CBS’ camera crews.
Here’s the best of what we saw.
In the wake of the New Orleans terrorist attack, the level of security at the Globes was unprecedented. The streets surrounding the Beverly Hilton were cleared of vehicles and there was a more pronounced police presence from years past. The shuttle ferrying production crew, publicists, and media from the off-site lot to the Hilton had to navigate a circuitous route through and around secruity, making the normally 2-minute trip into a 20-minute odyssey.
There was mad dash from the red carpet into the ballroom before they closed the doors — Karla Sofía Gascón, Jeff Goldblum, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst, Tilda Swinton, Ewan McGregor, and John Lithgow were among those racing to their tables before the show commenced. Adam Sandler joked that he didn’t seat.
Ripley star Andrew Scott was the mayor of the pit. A stream of celebrities stop by to greet him, including Lithgow. Glen Powell, Colin Farrell, Ed Norton, Dakota Fanning, The honorable mention star-magnet:
This being the Globes, Hollywood’s self-professed “party of the year,” it was wall-to-wall celebs in the bar line, where there was tons of sushi from Nobu in addition to generous libations. Kathryn Hahn was taking selfies while in line, while Globes officials had to pull Anya Taylor-Joy, who was hanging out with Cara Delevingne, away from the area so she could present an award.
A giddy Tadanobu Asano, after winning for Best TV Supporting Actor for his role in Shōgun, was asked backstage,”What can you tell us about the upcoming season?” Speaking through a translator, the actor replied, without missing a beat: “Unfortunately, I died in Season 1.”
Ariana Grande was spotted introducing herself to Jason Segel, who also shared a moment with Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner. Meanwhile, a few tables removed, there was a power women huddle with Cate Blanchett, Glenn Close, and Kathy Bates. And longtime friends Nicole Kidman and Naomi Watts exchanged hugs.
Zoe Saldaña rushed back to her seat so she could be there to celebrate with the Emilia Pérez composing team of Clément Ducol and Camille as they won the Globe for Best Song for “El Mal,” Saldaña’s showcase moment. She belatedly made it up stage to join them, drawing the praise of Camille, who said, “‘El Mal’ wouldn’t be what it is without your performance. You just should shake the house, and shake our souls. Salud.”
Farrell, who scored one of the evening’s upsets when he won the Globe for TV Limited Series Actor for The Penguin, was asked what it was like joining the ranks of Batman villains to win the Globe, following in the footsteps of Jokers Joaquin Phoenix and Heath Ledger. “Those performances were lovely, extraordinary,” Farrell said. “To have your name uttered in the same sentence as those performances, well … I don’t feel I’m part of that pantheon. Joaquin and Heath are extraordinary actors. I approach it just as a fan of it all.”
Fernanda Torres, whose shocker win for Film Drama Actress for I’m Still Here elicited cheers from the ballroom, told reporters backstage that she felt like she was “in a parallel universe … Everything is weird. I never thought I’d win. … . It’s a great, great honor.” Torres, the first Brazilian actress to win the award, also said her triumph “has made Brazil a very happy country today.” due to her win.
Another actress loudly cheered for her victory, Demi Moore, said she wouldn’t holding a Globe if she couldn’t let go of her wild-child past. It’s liberating, she explained, “to let go entirely of what other people think and increase appreciation for yourself. When you live a long time, you can see how far you’ve come and take more time to acknowledge yourself.” Ralph Fiennes and Ed Norton were among the actors spotted offering Moore congratulations following her big win.
