The 2018 Golden Globes were held on Sunday, celebrating the best in film and television. The annual fete was hosted by late night host Seth Meyers.
Powerful acceptance speeches punctuated the evening, highlighted by a call to action by Cecil B. DeMille Award winner Oprah Winfrey. But the night elevating women took an ironic turn when Tonya Harding — a woman conspired in a physical attack on another woman — was celebrated.
Without further ado, here are five shocking moments from the 2018 Golden Globes.
Red Carpet Blackout
Both female and male attendees wore black on the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton in support of the #metoo movement, bringing awareness to sexual harassment affecting women in all industries, not just entertainment.
Others wore pins supporting Times Up, an initiative started by 300 prominent women in Hollywood calling for equality. Will & Grace star Debra Messing created buzz when she criticized pay inequality between genders — calling out E! for not paying host Catt Sadler the same as her male counterpart — while being interviewed by E!
Watch the exchange below:
“I was so shocked to hear that E! doesn’t believe in paying their female co-hosts the same as their male co-hosts,” the nominee told host Giuliana Rancic. “I miss Catt Sadler … we stand with her.”
Meyers’ Monologue
Seth Meyers had the difficult task of addressing Hollywood’s sexual harassment headlines and the polarizing political climate (he didn’t mention President Trump by name at all).
“Good evening ladies and remaining gentlemen,” the late-night host started. “It’s 2018. Marijuana is finally allowed and sexual harassment isn’t.”
His targets were disgraced figures Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, the president, and even himself. (“I’m not even the most powerful Seth in the room,” he quipped.)
Powerful Speeches
As winner after winner took the stage, there was a common theme in their acceptance speeches — ushering change. Here are a few select quotes:
“This character that I played represents something that is the center of our conversation right now: abuse. I do believe and I hope that we can elicit change through the stories we tell and the way we tell them.” — Nicole Kidman
“We no longer live in the blank white spaces at the edge of print. We no longer live in the gaps between the stories. We are the story in print, and we are writing the story ourselves.” — Elisabeth Moss (inspired by author Margaret Atwood)
“Many of us were taught not to tattle. May we teach our children that speaking out without fear of retribution is our culture’s new north star.” — Laura Dern
“For too long women have not been heard or believed if they dared to speak their truth to the power of those men. But their time is up. Their time is up!” — Oprah Winfrey
“People out there who are feeling silenced … time is up. We see you. We hear you. And we will tell your stories.” — Reese Witherspoon
“Trust me, the women in the room tonight are not here for the food. We are here for the work.” – Frances McDormand
There’s Tonya
In one of the most surreal moments of the evening, Tonya Harding finally had a moment in the spotlight. The figure skater — who has a lifetime ban from the sport for the 1994 attack on her competitor, Nancy Kerrigan, was called out during Allison Janney’s acceptance speech for I, Tonya. Ironically, the U.S. Figure Skating Championships — the very event where the attack took place — were held this week. The championships serve as a qualifying event for the Olympics, also on NBC.
Allison Janney thanks Tonya Harding during #GoldenGlobes win https://t.co/CXMiD0eR14 pic.twitter.com/zmpdy6XzDz
— Variety (@Variety) January 8, 2018
Reaction online was mixed, but mostly negative.
What?! Thanking Tonya Harding?! @goldenglobes Total hypocrisy-assault is assault is assault #teamnancy #TIMESUP #goldenglobes
— Ivy Stark (@IvyStark) January 8, 2018
I’ve worked with a lot of talented people in this biz, and if you told me one would be honored at the Golden Globes, I definitely would have guessed “Tonya Harding”
— Kevin McCaffrey (@KevinMcCaff) January 8, 2018
I think @AllisonBJanney is a good actress, but she lost a lot of respect for me for praising that criminal Tonya Harding *smh* #GoldenGlobes
— Ang (@_chickymonkey) January 8, 2018
I believe that Tonya Harding was a producer of her surroundings and some unfortunate circumstances.
I also believe her and her story is White Privilege incarnate.
Both are true. #GoldenGlobes
— Major K, MBA (@MajorKMusic) January 8, 2018
Tonya Harding always deserved better. And when Nancy Kerrigan attacked and berated a then 14 year old Oksana Baiul after she won her gold medal, it showed you exactly why no one liked her and why she got popped in the knee in the first place. Leave Tonya Harding alone. 2018.
— ESPR.Media (@_ESPRMedia) January 8, 2018
Harding plead guilty to hindering the prosecution of Kerrigan’s attackers (the plot was orchestrated by her ex-husband).
Director Hit
While presenting Best Director, Natalie Portman said “here are the all-male nominees,” commenting on the fact that no woman had been nominated in the category.
Natalie Portman calls out lack of women directing nominees at #GoldenGlobes https://t.co/h8h7v8UFag pic.twitter.com/FVhObmagjF
— Variety (@Variety) January 8, 2018
Among the female directors overlooked, Patty Jenkins for Wonder Woman, Dee Rees for Mudbound and Greta Gerwig for Lady Bird. Guillermo del Toro took home the award for The Shape of Water.
See the complete list of Golden Globes winners below.