This past Sunday, the 82nd Golden Globe Awards kicked off the 2025 awards season. For decades, this ceremony has been a crucial precursor for the upcoming Academy Awards, serving as a platform for stars to solidify their status as major contenders. This year, the Globes were especially captivating, with several unexpected wins reshaping the landscape for the Oscars in March.
For many of these actors and actresses, the road to recognition has been a long, enduring one. One of the most touching moments of the evening came courtesy of 62-year-old actress Demi Moore. With a career spanning over 45 years, Moore was visibly moved as she accepted her award for “Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy.” Moore shared a powerful anecdote from thirty years ago, when a producer told her she was nothing more than a “popcorn actress.” Moore reflected on the how these words shaped how she viewed her career, “At that time, I made that mean that this [award] wasn’t something I was allowed to have, I could do movies that were successful and made a lot of money, but that I couldn’t be acknowledged, and I bought in, and I believed that.” Her speech resonated deeply, not just as a personal victory, but as a commentary on the harsh beauty standards that define Hollywood. “In those moments when we don’t think we’re smart enough, pretty enough, or successful enough, or basically just not enough… just know you will never be enough. But you can know the value of your worth if you just put down the measuring stick.” Her words reminded us of the importance of owning our journey, marking a turning point in Moore’s own career.
Moore wasn’t the only one to make waves at the Globes. The night was full of groundbreaking moments, including a historic win for Karla Sofía Gascón, whose movie, “Emilia Perez,” took home the award for “Musical or Comedy Motion Picture.” In a powerful address to the audience, Gascon addressed the prejudice she has faced as a transgender woman, “You can maybe put us in jail. You can beat us up, but you never can take away our soul, our existence, our identity.” Gascon’s victory, along with her co-star’s “Best Supporting Actress” win, makes “Emilia Perez” a major contender for multiple categories in the upcoming awards. As director Jacques Audiard accepted the movie’s award for “Best Non-English Language Film”, he spoke of the film’s current significance, “I hope ‘Emilia Perez’ will be a beacon of light,” he said, capturing the essence of the evening: a celebration of stories that break boundaries, reflect diversity, and foster inclusion.
This year’s Globes also highlighted the representation of disability on screen. Sebastian Stan, known for his role as Bucky Barnes in the “Avengers” films, won his first Golden Globe for “Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy” for his performance in “A Different Man.” In the film, Stan portrays an aspiring actor with neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes disfigurement. During his acceptance speech, he urged the industry to confront the prejudices surrounding disability. “Our ignorance and discomfort around disability has to end now,” Stan shared. “We have to normalize it and continue to expose ourselves to it. We have to encourage acceptance.”
In the television categories, “Shōgun,” a series set in 17th-century Japan, emerged as the big winner, taking home four awards, including “Best Drama Series”. The show repeated its success from the previous year’s Emmy Awards, securing its place as a critical favorite. Other television honorees included Jeremy Allen White of “The Bear,” Jodie Foster for “True Detective,” and Jean Smart for “Hacks.” “Baby Reindeer,” Richard Gadd’s dark comedy, claimed the award for “Best Limited Series,” with Gadd’s co-star winning “Best TV Supporting Actress” for her portrayal of a stalker in the Netflix series.
While the winners were undoubtedly the stars of the evening, the host, Nikki Glaser, also made a lasting impression. As the first female solo host of the Golden Globes, Glaser had a tall order to fill, following last year’s controversial performance by Jo Koy. However, she rose to the challenge with her sharp wit and fearless humor. Her nine-minute opening monologue had the audience roaring with laughter as she took playful jabs at stars like Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, and Ben Affleck. She even ventured into topics such as the toxicity of Hollywood and the state of politics. Her bold, snarky approach was a hit — delivering humor without crossing the line into outright offense, at least for the most part.
The 82nd Golden Globe Awards served as a powerful reminder that change is happening in Hollywood — it’s here to stay. As the industry continues to evolve, this year’s ceremony highlighted the importance of giving space to diverse voices, authentic stories, and a broader range of talent. The evening was a celebration of progress, where true artistry and representation were recognized, breaking old molds and creating new possibilities for the future. With each award, the Golden Globes reinforced that the next era of film and television will be defined by inclusivity, courage, and the boldness to tell stories that reflect the world we live in.
