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As it happenedended

Golden Globes 2021: From Brits dominating to lack of diversity, what happened at the 2021 ceremony

The evening began with biting jokes and ended with a triumph for ‘Nomadland’

Roisin O'Connor,Clémence Michallon
Monday 01 March 2021 00:21 EST
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Chadwick Boseman's wife gives emotional acceptance speech on behalf of late husband

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The 2021 Golden Globes took place semi-virtually on Sunday 28 February, with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hosting a modified ceremony owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Both hosts performed their duties from separate cities, on opposite coasts. Fey was in New York at the Rainbow Room, a famous venue located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza (an address also known as 30 Rock, after which Fey’s sitcom was named). Amy Poehler hosted from Los Angeles.

Fey and Poehler were present in person, as were award presenters including Awkwafina, Joaquin Phoenix, Tiffany Haddish, Angela Bassett, and Margot Robbie. Nominees, however, attended remotely, and winners delivered their acceptance speeches via video link.

The ceremony marked a strong night for British performers. Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah) and John Boyega (Small Axe) were among the ceremony’s early winners, taking home the trophies for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture and Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture for TV, respectively.

Emma Corrin took Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama for her uncanny portrayal of Diana in The Crown, while Josh O’Connor won in the men’s category for his part as Prince Charles. The Crown had two more wins: one for the show itself, in the Best Television Series – Drama category, and one for American actor Gillian Anderson, voted Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher.

Read more: Golden Globes 2021 winners: The full list

Rosamund Pike earned the award for Best Actress – Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her chilling work in I Care a Lot, while Sacha Baron Cohen took home Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his daring role in Borat Subsequent MovieFilm. The film also won Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance in The Queen’s Gambit earned her the trophy for Best Actress In A Mini-Series or Motion Picture for TV. The Queen’s Gambit itself was picked for Best Television Motion Picture.

Ahead of Sunday’s ceremony, Time’s Up took the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the organisation behind the Golden Globes) to task in a tweet that read, “A cosmetic fix isn’t enough,” next to an image with the words: “Hollywood Foreign Press Association – Not a single Black member out of 87.”

Many high-profile figures spoke out on the issue during the ceremony, from the two hosts to Jane Fonda, Sterling K Brown, Sacha Baron Cohen, and more. The HFPA said it intends to make some changes, echoing a previous statement that read in part: ““We understand that we need to bring in Black members as well as members from other underrepresented backgrounds, and we will immediately work to implement an action plan to achieve these goals as soon as possible.”

Chadwick Boseman posthumously won Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his work in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. His wife Taylor Simone Ledward delivered a moving acceptance speech on his behalf, saying: “I don’t have his words but we have to take all the moment to celebrate all we love, so thank you, HFPA, for this opportunity to do exactly that.”

Among the high-profile wins of the evening was Chloé Zhao’s success with Nomadland. She became the second woman ever to win the award for Best Director – Motion Picture. The film itself took Best Motion Picture – Drama.

For a full list of winners, you can click here.

Follow the ceremony as it happened with our live blog:

How Amy Poehler comedian killed us with kindness to conquer a world of cynics

Amy Poehler: How the comedian killed us with kindness to conquer a world of cynics

The former Saturday Night Live star is poised to host the Golden Globes for the fourth time with her ‘comedy wife’ Tina Fey. Alexandra Pollard charts her path to greatness

Roisin O'Connor28 February 2021 22:09

The 15 funniest jokes from the Golden Globes hosts

The 15 funniest Golden Globes jokes

From that infamous James Cameron dig to Ricky Gervais’s run-ins with Mel Gibson, here are some of the best gags in recent Globes history

Roisin O'Connor28 February 2021 22:31

Pandemic award shows aren’t great – but Tina Fey is a great choice to co-host the Golden Globes

Pandemic award shows aren’t great – but Tina Fey is a great choice to co-host the Golden Globes

With a dry, sardonic wit and a longstanding ability to make the truth funny, the comedy writer turned movie star is the ideal choice to host a socially distanced awards show, says Rachel Brodsky

Roisin O'Connor28 February 2021 22:51

Hi everyone! Clémence here, taking over live-blogging duties from Roisin. The pre-show will begin in just three minutes, so grab snacks and beverages and get comfortable!

Clemence Michallon28 February 2021 23:27

Amy Poehler: How the comedian killed us with kindness to conquer a world of cynics

Amy Poehler: How the comedian killed us with kindness to conquer a world of cynics

The former Saturday Night Live star is poised to host the Golden Globes for the fourth time with her ‘comedy wife’ Tina Fey. Alexandra Pollard charts her path to greatness

Roisin O'Connor28 February 2021 23:31

The HPFA’s pre-show is beginning!

(Twitter/goldenglobes)
Clemence Michallon28 February 2021 23:35

Our writer Adam White struggled with the nominations this year – and he wasn’t the only one. Many were shocked by the complete lack of recognition for I May Destroy You, when James Corden and Emily in Paris both scored nominations. You can read Adam’s take below:

The Golden Globes snubbed Michaela Coel and honoured James Corden – do we live in hell?

The Best Director line-up showed signs of progress, but this year’s Golden Globes nominations were otherwise wacky, writes Adam White

Clemence Michallon28 February 2021 23:42

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Golden Globes are looking pretty different this year. Hosts Amy Poehler and Tina Fey will perform their respective duties from two different cities: Poehler will be in Beverly Hills, while Fey will be in New York City, in the Rainbow Room (a legendary venue located at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, also known as... 30 Rock!).

Clemence Michallon28 February 2021 23:48

Also due to the ongoing pandemic, there is no endless stream of glamorous stars on the red carpet this year. Here are a few photos of the Beverly Hilton, the Beverly Hills hotel that has hosted the Golden Globes since 1961:

General view of the Beverly Hilton hotel on 27 February 2021
General view of the Beverly Hilton hotel on 27 February 2021 (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
(Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
(Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Clemence Michallon28 February 2021 23:52

Ricky Gervais isn’t hosting this year, but that hasn’t prevented him from sending a message to tonight’s stars:

Clemence Michallon28 February 2021 23:56

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