Golden Globes 2021 WINNERS: Andra Day shocks, Nomadland earns top honor, and The Crown nearly sweeps

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The Crown nearly swept the television drama categories and Nomadland earned the top honor in film but the most shocking moment of the night came when Andra Day won best actress at the first ever bi-coastal Golden Globes.

The 36-year-old actress – who was the heavy underdog – broke down in tears as she was recognized for her role in The United States Vs BIllie Holiday having faced heavy competition including Viola Davis for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Vanessa Kirby for Pieces of a Woman, Frances McDormand for Nomadland, Carey Mulligan for Promising Young Woman.

According to projections,  Day had the smallest chance to win in the Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama category when it came to betting odds as she was a sizable underdog.

Andra wiped tears from her eyes and grabbed a paper with her acceptance speech written on it while surrounded by friends and family. 

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She said: ‘Sorry, y’all, so, okay. Can you just give me the paper, please first, I would just want to do say thank you so much for — with no shame, thank you so much for bringing me through, getting me through mom, dad, Josh, Jackson, to Lee Daniels my great love, my first love, my acting coach, and all the people at the HFPA, thank you so much for being so engaged in Billie’s story.’

In the biographical drama she portrays jazz and swing singer Billie Holiday who is at the center of an undercover sting operation by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics.

Moments later the top honor in film came as Nomadland earned Best Motion Picture, Drama over The Father, Mank, Promising Young Woman, and The Trial of the Chicago 7. 

Director and writer Chloe Zhao was in disbelief as she accepted the honor and paid tribute to ‘the nomads’ that inspired the film as she said: ‘Nomadland, at its core for me, is a pilgrimage through grief and healing. 

‘So for everyone who’s gone through this difficult and beautiful journey at some point in their lives, this is for you. We don’t say goodbye, we say, “See you down the road.”‘

Nomadland – starring Frances McDormand – is centered around a woman in her sixties who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.

It was a historic win as Nomadland became the first film directed by a woman to win the Golden Globe for Best Drama as earlier in the night Zhao became just the second woman to win for directing in 78 years.

The 38-year-old filmmaker won over Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman, David Fincher for Mank, Regina King for One Night in Miami, and Aaron Sorkin for The Trial of the Chicago 7.

She thanked the entire crew of the film in addition to her partner and family for keeping her sane throughout the process but most importantly were the nomads who helped her by sharing their stories.

Zhao explained: ‘I especially want to thank the nomads who shared their stories with us and I asked one of them Bob well to help me out here this is what he said about compassion, “it’s the break down of all the barriers between us a heart to heart bonding your pain is my pain it’s mingled and shared between us.” Now this is why I fell in love with making movies and telling stories. 

‘It gives us a chance to laugh and cry together and it gives us a chance to learn from each other and have more compassion for each other thank you for everyone who made it possible for me to do what I love thank you very much.’

Before that The Crown nearly swept every television drama category with  Emma Corrin and Josh O’Connor triumphing as they respectively earned Best Performance by an Actress and Actor in a TV Series, Drama before the series itself earned the top honor in television.

The Netflix series later earned Best Television Series, Drama beating out a very competitive field including Lovecraft Country, The Mandalorian, Ozark, and Ratched.

Corrin – who portrayed Diana, Princess of Wales – won over her The Crown co-star Olivia Colman (Queen Elizabeth II) in the Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series, Drama category.

During her acceptance speech she acknowledged the late mother of Prince William and Prince Harry as she said: ‘Thank you to Diana, you have put compassion and empathy beyond anything I can understand. Thank you.’

Other than Colman, the 25-year-old British actress also won out over Jodie Comer for Killing Eve, Laura Linney  for Ozark, and Sarah Paulson for Ratched.

She also thanked her co-star O’Connor – who played Charles, Prince of Wales – as she said: ‘Thanks to my prince charming, Josh, I could not do it without you.’

Just minutes later it was 30-year-old O’Connor’s chance to shine as he won Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series, Drama while pit against Jason Bateman for Ozark, Bob Odenkirk for Better Call Saul, Al Pacino for Hunters, and Matthew Rhys for Perry Mason.

Josh returned the gratitude to his co-star with a huge smile as he said: ‘To Emma Corrin, best actress winner, you’re extraordinary, talented, funny and a brilliant player of rock, paper, scissors. I love you to bits.’

The talented actor finished off his speech with an important message about mental health amid the COVID-19 pandemic as he said: ‘ And finally I want to say, one little thing, I want to say I’m very lucky to be able to work in this period and there’s so many people that are unable to work and are alone and isolated, and I hope that we can all collectively put mental health at the forefront of our minds, thank you so much.’

The wins kept on coming for the drama series as Gillian Anderson earned Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series for her performance of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher.

She beat out The Crown co-star Helena Bonham-Carter in addition to Julia Garner for Ozark, Annie Murphy for  Schitt’s Creek, and Cynthia Nixon for Ratched.

The 52-year-old actress began her speech by saying: ‘Oh, my gosh I’m so relaxed everything and then you are relaxed and you are relaxed and then all of a sudden, you start to freak out geez, on okay.’

The most emotional part of the night came when the late great Chadwick Boseman won a posthumous Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama, as his widow Simone Ledward moved many to tears with her stirring speech.

Boseman, who passed away in August at 43 years of age after a four-year battle with colon cancer, beat out Riz Ahmed for Sound of Metal, Anthony Hopkins for The Father, Gary Oldman for Mank and Tahar Rahim for The Mauritanian.

Ledward was fighting back tears as she accepted the award on her late husband’s behalf, which drove many to tears including presenter Renee Zelwegger and Viola Davis.

‘He would thank God. He would thank his parents, he would thank his ancestors for their guidance and their sacrifice,’ Ledward began.

She added that Boseman would thank, ‘his incredible team’ and his team on the set including hairstylist Deidre Dixon, costumer Craig Anthoy and his assistant Andrew Carlone,’ as presenter Renee Zelwegger started to tear up.

Boseman plays Levee Green, the exceedingly confident trumpeteer for Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) who is trying to break out on his own. 

Daniel Kaluuya took home the first award of the night in the Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture category as the first ever bi-coastal Golden Globes  ceremony kicked off.  

The 32-year-old British actor overcame technical difficulties to give his acceptance speech as he was recognized over his riveting portrayal of Chicago Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton in Judas And The Black Messiah. 

Laura Dern presented the first award of the night and the camera cut back to her before Daniel was immediately shown back on the broadcast.

He said: ‘Can you hear me now? All right, cool. We got this. Thank you for the accolade, thank you to my mom, my sister, my niece Yo, I used to listen to a song, I used to listen to a song before every speech. Thank you for “The game is mine,” 

‘I want like to thank, it takes a village to raise a film, I would like to thank our leader, for your vision and collaboration, and Ryan — and Charles king, everyone at macro, like to thank Warner bros., and I like to thank the incredible cast, you know, I stand with you, my bro. All the crew, all the cast, the rest of the cast and my comrades, all the crew in Cleveland, we have done it.’   

He beat out heavy competition including Sacha Baron Cohen for The Trial of the Chicago 7, Jared Leto for The Little Things, Bill Murray for On the Rocks, and Leslie Odom Jr for One Night in Miami.

The talented actor also gave credit to the civil rights activist he portrayed as he said: ‘And I couldn’t give it to a more noble man, than chairman Fred Hampton. I hope generations after this can see how brilliantly he thought, how brilliantly he spoke and how brilliantly he loved.’

Kaluuya is the fifth Black performer to win a Golden Globe for supporting actor as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) has been at the center of controversy after a report revealed a blatant lack of diversity among the organization with zero Black members.

The HFPA, which runs and organizes the Golden Globe Awards, released a statement on Thursday night (via Variety) revealing an ‘action plan.’

The organization is comprised of 87 journalists, which includes other members of color, though there are no Black members at all, which they want to change.

The second award of the night went to John Boyega in the Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series category for his role in Small Axe “Red, White and Blue.”

The 28-year-old actor – full name John Adedayo Bamidele Adegboyeg – beat out Daniel Levy for Schitt’s Creek, Brendan Gleeson for  The Comey Rule, Jim Parsons for Hollywood, and Donald Sutherland for The Undoing.

In his acceptance speech, Boyega said: ‘Wow you know what, let me just say what I have to say first thank you so much to the HFPA for the opportunity, thank you, you know what I thought it would be one of those nights where you do this whole shin dig and you go to bed and chill. Like, I put track shoe bottoms on, and I’m excited. It’s great to have this amazing opportunity.’

This year’s ceremony, which usually takes place in early January, was pushed back to February 28 as Hollywood continues to adjust to the coronavirus pandemic and new safety guidelines. 

Sacha Baron Cohen‘s politically-charged sequel Borat Subsequent Moviefilm also earned two awards on Sunday night during the gala event.

And the comedian, 49, came out swinging as he sarcastically thanked the ‘all-white’ Hollywood Foreign Press Association during his initial acceptance speech, before ripping into his nemesis – and unsuspecting costar – Rudy Giuliani.

Later on in the show, Cohen joked that former president Donald Trump was ‘contesting’ his ‘Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical’ win.

Besides his Best Actor in a Comedy nod, Cohen’s highly anticipated Borat sequel also walked away with the Golden Globe for Best Comedy or Musical.

‘Thank you to the all-white Hollywood Foreign Press,’ began the English comedian, who was referencing to the recent uproar around the absence of black journalist in the HFPA. 

He then went on to thank his ‘costar,’ with audiences at home automatically assuming he was referring to actress Maria Bakalova, who played Borat’s 15-year-old daughter in the film. 

But in actuality, Cohen was jokingly gushing over his ‘costar’ Rudy Giuliani, who he admitted ‘this film could not have been possible’ without.

‘Who could get more laughs out of one unzipping? Incredible,’ he continued, referencing to Giuliani’s infamous hand-in-pants moment during a hotel scene with Maria.

Rudy has since insisted that he performed the action in order to adjust his microphone and that it was void of inappropriate intent.

Sacha continued: ‘Our movie was just the beginning for him. Rudy went on to star in a string of comedy films, including Four Seasons Landscaping, Hair Dye Another Day and the courtroom drama A Very Public Fart.’

After ruthlessly laying into Giuliani, Sacha put his jokes to rest and went on to thank those who made the Borat sequel possible.

Sacha was not the only star to jibe at the political figure during their acceptance speech as  Rosamund Pike referred to Giuliani and thanked the ‘broken American legal system’ as she won a Golden Globe Sunday for her work in the film I Care A Lot.

The British actress, 42, claimed the victory in the category of Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, a category she was nominated in against Borat Subsequent Moviefilm actress Maria Bakalova.

‘Ladies, I salute you: I am so honored to be in this room with you,’ Pike said. ‘In my movie, I had to swim up from a sinking car. I think I probably would rather do that than be in a room with Rudy Giuliani.’

Pike had referred to Bakalova’s controversial run-in with the former New York mayor in the motion picture.

‘Maria, I salute your brilliance and your bravery,’ said Pike, who also triumphed over Music’s Kate Hudson, French Exit’s Michelle Pfeiffer and Emma’s Anya Taylor-Joy in the Golden Globes win.

In the film, which also included Peter Dinklage, Eiza González and Dianne Wiest, Pike played the role of a grifter named Marla Grayson.

Pike thanked the ‘America’s broken legal system for making it possible to make stories like this,’ as the storyline centered around Grayson’s attempt to fleece an older woman as her legal guardian hoping to abuse the conservatorship system.

It was also a big night for Anya Taylor-Joy as she won Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology or TV Movie for The Queen’s Gambit.

The 24-year-old American-born Argentine-British actress beat out Cate Blanchett for Mrs America, Daisy Edgar-Jones for  Normal People, Shira Haas for Unorthodox, and Nicole Kidman for The Undoing.

During her acceptance speech she said: ‘Oh my goodness! Thank you so much! Nicole, Cate, everybody, thank you. I’ve spent so much time with you over lockdown, I feel like I know you. Thank you so much for your work.’ 

She also thanked her ‘beautiful cast and crew’ including Bill Camp who played her chess mentor in the movie as well as the show’s creator Scott Frank.

Taylor-Joy added: ‘I would do this project again and again and again.  I learned so much and I’m so grateful. Thank you to the audiences that have watched it and supported the characters. It meant the world.’ 

In the Netflix limited series set during the Cold War era, orphaned chess prodigy Beth Harmon (played by Taylor-Joy) struggles with addiction in a quest to become the greatest chess player in the world. 

The Queen’s Gambit also won  Best Limited Series, Anthology or TV Movie besting Normal People, Small Axe, The Undoing, and Unorthodox.  

 Jodie Foster earned the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture as she starred as a hard hitting defense attorney in the riveting legal drama The Mauritanian, which hit theaters earlier this month.

As she graciously accepted her honor, the 58-year-old planted a joyous smooch on her wife of nearly seven years Alexandra Hedison.

Beaming into the event from home like the rest of the night’s nominees, Jodie sat comfortably with Alexandra by her side and her beloved pooch Ziggy in her lap.

The award was presented to Foster by her ‘bestie’ and fellow Hollywood heavyweight Jamie Lee Curtis. 

‘Oh, my god, are you kidding me?! I think you made a mistake um, I am — uh, I’m a little speechless I just never expected to ever be here again!’ began Jodie, clearly taken aback by her win.

This is Foster’s third Golden Globe over the span of her impressive career, but the first since 1992 for her performance in Silence Of The Lambs. She also took home the Cecil B. DeMille award in 2013.

Catherine O’Hara earned the win in the Best Performance by an Actress in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical for her role in Schitt’s Creek. 

The 66-year-old actress won over Lily Collins for Emily in Paris, Kaley Cuoco for The Flight Attendant, Elle Fanning for The Great, and Jane Levy for  Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.

In her acceptance speech she said: ‘Thank you, I’m grateful just to share your good will for my lovely fellow nominees this is great, thank you so much I’m happily and seriously indebted to Dan Levy, they created an inspiring, funny, beautiful family love story in which they wanted me to speak like an alien.

‘From the first day to the final day on set where everyone except me held back tears it’s an experience that I am proud to be apart of.’

Schitt’s Creek also won Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical as creator, writer, and actor Dan Levy accepted the gong.

The sitcom beat out Emily in Paris, The Flight Attendant, The Great, and Ted Lasso. 

Just months after his Emmy win for I Know This Much Is True, Mark Ruffalo took home a Golden Globe for his powerful performance, and delivered an equally powerful speech.

Ruffalo, 53, beat out Bryan Cranston for Your Honor, Jeff Daniels for The Comey Rule, Hugh Grant for The Undoing and Ethan Hawke for The Good Lord Bird for the Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology or TV Movie.

While accepting the award, he delivered a powerful and impassioned speech where he got choked up while discussing the need for saving our dying planet.

He first thanked all of his fellow nominees, his ‘peers’ who are, ‘the people I admire and love and look up to,’ adding he is, ‘so I’m so honored to be here with you guys.’

Ruffalo went on to thank the Hollywood Foreign Press association, HBO and the show’s production team.  

Amy Poehler and Tina Fey kicked off the night as they returned to host for the fourth time. The comedy duo did the honors in 2013, 2014 and 2015. 

It is the first ever awards show to be broadcast from two separate coasts. 

Fey, 50, is broadcasting from atop New York City’s Rockefeller Center in the Rainbow Room and Poehler, 49, in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where the ceremony is usually held annually.

Nominees tuned into the ceremony remotely but presenters were asked to appear in person.

The impressive list of presenters this year included; Awkwafina, Cynthia Erivo, Annie Mumolo, Joaquin Phoenix, Kristen Wiig and Renee Zellweger, Kevin Bacon, Sterling K. Brown, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Margot Robbie, Tiffany Haddish, Anthony Anderson, Kate Hudson and Kenan Thompson.

Satchel and Jackson Lee, children of three-time Golden Globe nominated filmmaker Spike Lee and producer/philanthropist Tonya Lewis Lee, are serving as the 2021 Golden Globe Ambassadors.

Jane Fonda, 83, received the Cecil B. DeMille Award, an accolade for film. The acting icon has previously won Golden Globes for her roles in Klute, Julia and Coming Home.

Norman Lear was honored with the Carol Burnett Award, a counterpart to the DeMille Award that focuses on life achievement in television. The writer, director and producer is a six-time Golden Globe winner.

Nominations were announced on February 3 with streaming giant Netflix receiving 42 nominations across film and television.

David Fincher’s Mank lead with six nominations across film, while The Crown also topped the TV categories with the same number of nominations.

Netflix smash-hit Emily in Paris found itself as one of the more controversially nominated shows, landing a nomination for best TV series, musical or comedy. The show’s star, Lily Collins, also got a nod for best actress.

Much of the uproar surrounding the nomination stems from the snubbing of Michaela Coel, whose HBO drama I May Destroy You failed to land any nominations.

Deborah Copaken, one of the writers of Emily in Paris, even spoke out to criticize the Hollywood Foreign Press for shunning Coel.

Copaken tweeted that it was ‘just wrong’, and later expanded on her thoughts in an op-ed for the Guardian.

‘Am I excited that Emily in Paris was nominated? Yes. Of course. I’ve never been remotely close to seeing a Golden Globe statue up close, let alone being nominated for one,’ she wrote.

‘But that excitement is now unfortunately tempered by my rage over Coel’s snub. That I May Destroy You did not get one Golden Globe nod is not only wrong, it’s what is wrong with everything.

‘We need art that reflects all of our colors, not just some. But we also need to give awards to shows (and music and films and plays and musicals) that deserve them, no matter the color of the skin of their creators,’ she went on to write.

Last year’s 77th Golden Globes, hosted by Ricky Gervais, averaged 19.2 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched network telecasts of 2020.