Entertainment
Golden Globes will have no stars, audience or red carpet following year of controversy and boycotts
The globe is the only celebrity in the room this year (Picture: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
If you like your Golden Globes with a side of celebrity red carpet and champagne-fuelled schmooze then we hate to break it to you: 2022 is devoid of stars.
After a year of controversy in which the Hollywood Foreign Press Association came under fire for its lack of diversity, this year’s event seemingly failed to bring in any celebrities, leading to a rather low-key event to be held this weekend.
Disappointing every armchair fashion critic, there will be no red carpet event and, according to US media outlets, no celebrity hosts to present the awards after, according to Variety, none agreed to participate.
The ceremony is due to take place on Sunday at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, however due to the recent increase in Covid cases in the US alongside the no audience thing, ‘select members and grantees’ attending will have to follow Covid precautions.
In a statement on the Golden Globes website, the organisers explained: ‘Proof of vaccination and booster shot, along with a negative PCR test within 48 hours, is required for entry.
‘All guests will be masked and socially distanced at all times while inside the ballroom.’
No star presenters! (Picture: AFP)
Nope, no red carpet, either (Picture: 2021 HFPA Presents: Golden Globes Countdown Live/Getty Images for DCP & HFPA)
According to reports, the Globes talent booker said in an email sent to several publicity agencies: ‘The Golden Globes will move forward with a small event on January 9th that will not only award the best performances in television and film for 2021, but also on recognising the importance of supporting diverse creatives across the industry.
‘The event this year will celebrate and honour a variety of diverse, community-based programmes that empower inclusive filmmakers and journalists to pursue their storytelling passions.’
An initiative to increase diversity in the entertainment industry will also be discussed with Kyle Bowser, senior vice president of the NAACP Hollywood Bureau, outlining the Reimagine Coalition.
The five-year initiative, funded by the NAACP Hollywood Bureau and the HFPA, aims to ensure ‘visibility of projects from artists of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds’ and to increase ‘diverse representation in the industry’.
The HFPA said: ‘The HFPA and the NAACP Hollywood Bureau will collaborate on, fund and support a series of trailblazing initiatives with the overall goals of ensuring visibility of projects from artists of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.’
It comes after the HFPA drew heavy criticism earlier this year as it emerged it had no black members.
The backlash prompted the association to admit a raft of new members, overhaul its bylaws and implement changes addressing ethics and inclusion.
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There is no word on how punters, who still want to know who won what, will be able to tune in, seeing as NBC previously announced that it would not televise the 2022 ceremony due to the lack of diversity. Amazon Studios and Netflix also announced plans to stop their activities with the HFPA until sufficient changes were made.
In May, NBC said in a statement: ‘We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform. However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right. As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes.
‘Assuming the organisation executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.’
MORE : Mo Gilligan hosting Brit Awards for free as he kindly donates fee to Black maternity charity
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