Golden Globes: Zoe Saldana, Kieran Culkin bag acting honours

The Golden Globes kicked off Hollywood’s awards season on Sunday, with early acting honors going to Zoe Saldana and Kieran Culkin. Saldana was visibly emotional as she accepted the award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the Spanish-language musical thriller 'Emilia Perez'. In the film, she plays a lawyer helping a Mexican drug lord transition to a woman and start anew. "My heart is full of gratitude to the Golden Globes for celebrating our film," Saldana said through tears, thanking her director and co-stars during her heartfelt speech.

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Emilia Perez led the evening with the most nominations, narrowly ahead of The Brutalist, a sprawling 3.5-hour post-World War II drama featuring an intermission.


Kieran Culkin earned the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in 'A Real Pain', a dramedy about cousins exploring their family history in Poland. In his acceptance speech, Culkin humorously thanked his wife for "putting up with what you call my mania."

First-time host Nikki Glaser opened the ceremony with sharp humor, calling the Globes "Ozempic’s biggest night" and teasing stars like Timothée Chalamet, Harrison Ford, and Selena Gomez in the audience. She also quipped about Hollywood's political influence, referencing the entertainment industry's vocal support for the losing candidate in the recent U.S. presidential election.

On the red carpet, celebrities dazzled in black, gold, and silver gowns, with occasional pops of red and periwinkle. Ariana Grande, starring in Wicked, turned heads in a vintage yellow Givenchy gown adorned with a beaded bodice, paying homage to the iconic yellow brick road. “It’s thrilling to be here because I’m a fan of everyone I meet,” Grande remarked about the star-studded Beverly Hills event.

TV categories featured fierce competition, with The Bear and Only Murders in the Building vying for honors. Winning a Golden Globe can boost films and performances ahead of the Oscars in March. However, industry analysts note that no clear frontrunner has emerged for the coveted Best Picture prize.

Golden Globe winners are selected by 334 entertainment journalists from 85 countries, a voting body that has expanded and reformed in recent years to address criticisms over ethical practices and diversity. In contrast, the Academy Awards are decided by roughly 9,000 voters.

Timothée Chalamet is a contender for Best Drama Actor for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, competing with Adrien Brody in The Brutalist. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez, a double nominee, was recognized for her supporting role in Emilia Perez and her lead performance in Only Murders in the Building. Other notable nominees include Angelina Jolie (Maria), Nicole Kidman (Babygirl), Zendaya (Challengers), and Ariana Grande (Wicked), while Daniel Craig (Queer) and Denzel Washington (Gladiator II) represent standout performances among the men.