Eesha Kulkarni

The Golden Globes returned to the air on January 11 with a red carpet rife with decked up celebrities, comedian Jerrod Carmichael as a hesitant emcee and numerous trophies, including one for Telugu hit RRR.

Last year’s Golden Globes was a hushed affair owing to the controversy surrounding the Hollywood Foreign Press Association membership and nomination processes, as well as the lack of diversity in the HFPA. Now with a year of reforms under its belt, the HFPA returned with a night honouring the best in movies and television, giving us many meme-able speeches, internet jokes and other memorable fashion, beauty and pop culture moments.

Here are six of the best moments from the show

Team RRR breaks into a celebration

India bagged its first-ever Golden Globe award in the ‘Best Song’ category for SS Rajamouli’s RRR. After their win, beating the likes of Taylor Swift and Rihanna in the category, Team RRR broke into a celebration. Jr NTR, SS Rajamouli and Ram Charan jumped out of the seats as Jenna Ortega announced the winner as ‘Naatu Naatu’. A proud moment for Indians for sure!

Jerrod Carmichael takes a dig at Tom Cruise over Scientology

While introducing presenters Glen Powell and Jay Ellis, Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick co-stars, host Jerrod Carmichael appeared on stage with three trophies in his hands.

“Hey guys I found these backstage,” Carmichael said. “[It’s the] three Golden Globe awards that Tom Cruise returned. I’m just a host briefly, or whatever, but I have a pitch I think. Maybe we take these three things and exchange them for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige,” he said while mocking Cruise’s decision to hand back his three Golden Globe awards to the organisation in May 2021.

For the unversed, Shelly Miscavige is the spouse of Scientology founder David Miscavige who has apparently been absent from public view for a long time. It is common knowledge that Cruise participates in church activities and is an outspoken advocate for the controversial Church of Scientology, which he credits with helping him overcome dyslexia, among other things.

Jerrod Carmichael addresses the Golden Globes’ racism

Comedian Jerrod Carmichael wasted no time in addressing the tumultuous history of the Golden Globes in his opening monologue. In his plaintive, conversational comedic style, he started off strong: “I’ll tell you why I’m here. I’m here because I’m black.” As the host, whose Emmy-winning HBO special Rothaniel came out last year, told the story of how he was roped in to emcee for the show, and the blows just kept coming.

“One minute you’re making mint tea at home, the next moment you’re invited to be the black face of an embattled white organisation,” he said. “Life really comes at you fast.” Carmichael directly addressed the elephant in the room: “I won’t say [the HFPA] was a racist organisation, but they didn’t have a single black member until George Floyd died.”

Eddie Murphy’s Will Smith ‘punchline’

“I want to let you know that there is a definitive blueprint that you can follow to achieve success, prosperity, longevity... Just do these three things,” Murphy told the audience just before referencing the infamous Will Smith–Chris Rock slapping incident at the Oscars from last year.

“One, pay your taxes. Two, mind your business. Three, keep Will Smith’s wife’s name out your f***ing mouth!”

Jennifer Coolidge’s hilarious speech

The White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge was hilarious as ever, proving that she is an icon for a reason. As she placed her award on the floor to focus better on delivering her speech, she thanked Ryan Murphy who kept sending small jobs her way from time to time to keep her afloat, while she ‘milked American Pie’ as much as she could. The Two Broke Girls actress also thanked Reese Witherspoon for giving her a part in Legally Blonde and made Mike White tear up with her gratitude.

“Even if this is the end, you sort of changed my life in a million different ways,” Coolidge told Mike White. “My neighbours are speaking to me, things like that.”

Jenna Ortega and Selena Gomez posed for photos together

A ‘rare’ sighting and also our new favourite duo was Jenna Ortega and Selena Gomez, who paired up at the Golden Globes to take photos together. They were both nominated for best actress in a TV series — perhaps they’ll be co-stars in the future? We see the vision.