The 83rd Golden Globe Awards aired on Paramount+ just two days ago, on January 11, 2026. This annual ceremony honors outstanding achievements in film and television. However, against the backdrop of ongoing political tensions throughout 2025 and 2026, the event featured more than the usual mix of awards, acceptance speeches, and celebratory moments.
Fashion Highlights:
As I typically do in my award show reviews, I’ll share my picks for best and worst dressed. This year’s Golden Globes red carpet leaned heavily toward muted color palettes. My choice for “Best Dressed” goes to Laufey in Balenciaga, despite some controversy. While critics found the orange either too vibrant or uninspired, I think the dress suited her beautifully. The color struck a balance between complementing the show’s aesthetic and helping her command attention. The ruffled detailing also brought dimension and body to the gown. On the other end of the spectrum, Rose Byrne’s Chanel dress, though sharing a similar minimalist approach to Laufey’s, didn’t quite work. The fit appeared too loose, causing the fabric to hang from her upper body. Additionally, the green sequined trim along the neckline felt disconnected from the rest of the dress rather than enhancing it.
The Comedy:
Nikki Glaser returned as host after her successful performance last year. While she delivered edgy-humor again, many felt her jokes crossed into uncomfortably personal territory this time. Her most talked about moment came when addressing Leonardo DiCaprio: “What a career you’ve had. Countless iconic performances, you’ve worked with every great director, you’ve won three Golden Globes, an Oscar, and the most impressive thing is that you were able to accomplish that all before your girlfriend turned 30.” Though intended for laughs, DiCaprio visibly didn’t appreciate the joke. While his dating patterns are publicly well-known, Glaser’s joke felt like an unnecessary spotlight on his private life in front of a global audience.
Political Commentary:
Given current events domestically and globally, political discussions were inevitable at an international ceremony of this scale. Since many celebrities identify as Democrats (or progressive), several used their red carpet moments to criticize Trump. Mark Ruffalo, for example, stated: “He is telling the world that international law doesn’t matter to him. The only thing that matters to him is his own morality, but the guy is a convicted felon, a convicted rapist. He’s a pedophile. He’s the worst human being in the world.” Regardless of one’s views on these statements, I question whether the Golden Globes is the appropriate place for such commentary. The ceremony is meant to celebrate artistic achievement in film and television. Political opinions might be better suited for dedicated interviews or other forums like that.
