The 2023 Golden Globes took place on Jan. 10 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. An annual celebration that acknowledges the accomplishment of famous actors and directors, the event was heavily anticipated after controversy prompted its cancellation last year. 

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization behind the award show, faced backlash when it was revealed by the Los Angeles Times in 2021 that not a single member of the African-American community was on the voting committee. The organization was also accused of selling votes in exchange for perks. 

“The Los Angeles Times investigation reported on the lack of racial representation on its membership board, which included no Black people,” said The Hill.

The 2023 Golden Globes were hosted by Jerrod Carmicheal, an African-American comedian introduced as the first Black host in 80 years. Carmicheal shocked viewers in his opening speech when he called out the show’s racism and prior year’s controversy. 

“I’m here because I’m black,” said Carmicheal. “This show, the Golden Globe awards, did not air last year because the Hollywood Foreign Press Association—which, I won’t say they were a racist organization—but the organization didn’t have a single Black member until George Floyd died. So do with that information what you will.”

Carmicheal described himself as “the black face of an embattled white organization” and “unfireable,”’ leaving viewers from around the world shocked by his blatant honesty about the situation. As Carmicheal spoke, the camera panned from celebrity to celebrity, all with mouths wide with shock. 

Despite the association’s previous controversies, the Golden Globes featured many reputable nominees. Zendaya walked away with the Best Actress in a TV Drama Series for her work in the hit show Euphoria. 

“To my fellow nominees, it is a privilege to be named beside you, I admire you all deeply,” said Zendaya. “Thank you to my Euphoria family, without you, none of this is possible. Lastly, thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has allowed Rue into theirs.”

Steven Spielberg won his fourth Best Director Award for the semi-autobiographical film The Fabelmans. 

“Everything I’ve done up to this point has made me ready to finally be honest about the fact that it’s not easy to be a kid,” said Spielberg.  “Everybody sees me as a success story… But nobody really knows who we are until we’re courageous enough to tell everyone.”

Despite Carmicheal’s obvious distaste for the organization and the values they represent, he acknowledged the importance of the Golden Globes and what they represented. 

“I’m here, truly, because of all of you. I look out into this room and I see a lot of talented people, people that I admire, people that I would like to be like and people that I’m jealous of and people that are actually really incredible artists,” said Carmicheal. “And regardless of whatever the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s past may be, this is an evening where we get to celebrate. And I think this industry deserves evenings like these and I’m happy you all are here.”