Golden Globes Take a Politically Neutral Stance, Focus on Entertainment Instead

In a surprising turn of events, the 82nd Golden Globe Awards decided to wave a white flag in the ongoing culture wars, opting for entertainment over political discourse on Sunday night. This year's event bore witness to a notable shift, as Hollywood celebrities largely refrained from making political comments, an approach that has been a staple of previous ceremonies.

While some might argue that the winners reflected important societal themes, such as “Emilia Perez,” which secured four Globes and deals with trans identity, or “The Brutalist,” which received three awards and narrates the struggles of immigrants, the overall tone of the evening felt markedly subdued compared to previous years. Historically, the Globes have served as a platform for A-listers to advocate for progressive causes, a tradition that seemed to be noticeably absent this time.

In contrast to previous ceremonies, where heavy hitters like Meryl Streep and Oprah Winfrey made headlines with poignant political statements, this year’s show felt more like a celebration of glitz and glamor rather than a rallying cry for social justice. Notably, Nikki Glaser, who opened the show with a comedic monologue, lightly poked fun at the celebrities' inability to stop President Trump from returning to power, but her remarks were more fluff than fury.

The official red carpet preshow was filled with compliments and light banter rather than pressing social issues. One of the few significant moments was delivered by Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of “Emilia Pérez,” who, upon winning for Best Musical or Comedy, took the stage to advocate for trans rights. “You can beat us up, but you never can take away our soul,” she passionately declared, urging people to “Raise your voice.”

The apparent hesitation to engage in political dialogue may not come as a shock. Many artists grappling with how to counteract Trump's presidency appear to be treading carefully. Experiences of backlash—as seen with Rachel Zegler, who faced significant backlash on social media after criticizing Trump—have led many publicists to advise their clients to stay silent on political topics during the Globes.

Research suggests that audiences often switch off when celebrities politicize the awards, according to producers who have analyzed viewer engagement during award shows. The negative reception of political speeches has birthed a more conservative approach in Hollywood, wherein stars are beginning to prioritize charm and entertainment over confrontation.

As this year's Globes unfolded, spectators could barely catch a glimpse of the fervent activism that characterized previous events. With Hollywood's ongoing reevaluation of its political engagements in the post-Trump landscape, one wonders whether the once bold stars will continue to morph into more muted showbiz personalities in the quest for mass appeal, leaving audiences to ponder where the passion for social justice has disappeared on a night when glitzy gowns and dazzling performances took center stage.