The 2025 Golden Globes had it all – glitz, glamour, and viral moments that lit up the internet. From heartfelt speeches to jaw-dropping red carpet appearances, the ceremony reminded everyone why it remains one of Hollywood’s most anticipated events. Here’s a look at the standout moments that defined this year’s Golden Globes and had everyone talking.
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Nikki Glaser Brings The Perfect Roast
After last year’s misfire, Nikki Glaser took the stage determined to redeem the show – and she delivered. As the first solo female host, Glaser set the tone with her signature mix of sharp wit and playful roasts, keeping the audience both entertained and slightly on edge. Her opening joke about the ceremony being ‘Ozempic’s biggest night’ set the room buzzing, while her quip about Timothée Chalamet’s mustache – ‘the most gorgeous eyelashes on your upper’ – drew waves of laughter. From cheeky digs at Glen Powell’s omnipresence to self-deprecating nods about her love life, Glaser’s comedic timing was spot-on. Even her mid-show ‘Pope-ular’ mashup, which hilariously flopped, became an endearing moment. Balancing raunchy humour with charm, Glaser proved she understood the assignment – and absolutely crushed it – making her hosting debut one of the most memorable in recent years.
Demi Moore Wins Her First Golden Globe After 45 Years
In one of the most moving moments of the night, Demi Moore accepted her first-ever Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for her role in ‘The Substance’. This victory, 45 years in the making, marked a significant milestone in her career. Reflecting on the long journey to this recognition, Moore recounted a past encounter with a producer who dismissed her as a ‘popcorn actress’. This dismissive remark deeply affected her, leaving a lasting scar and causing her to question her place in the industry. But when the opportunity to star in ‘The Substance’ presented itself, she saw it as a sign from the universe that her story was far from over. In an emotional conclusion, Moore urged women to stop measuring themselves against unattainable standards and to embrace their inherent worth. ‘This award signifies my wholeness’, she declared, proudly holding up her trophy.
‘Emilia Pérez’ Dominates With Powerful Wins And Inspiring Speeches
‘Emilia Pérez’, Netflix’s captivating crime musical, emerged as the night’s triumphant winner, securing four awards, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Non-English Language Film. The star-studded cast, led by Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña, delivered standout performances that resonated with audiences and critics alike. Writer-director Jacques Audiard had his moment to shine when accepting the Best Screenplay prize but graciously ceded the microphone to Gascón when the film won Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Nominated for her lead role, Gascón used the platform to deliver an emotional speech, passionately declaring, ‘I am who I am, not who you want’, appearing to urge fellow trans individuals to find the strength to stand up to bigotry. Saldaña, who earned Best Supporting Actress, charmed the crowd with her heartfelt gratitude and praise for her fellow nominees, beautifully exemplifying the spirit of sisterhood that permeates the film. Audiard, accepting the award for Best Non-English Language Film, reflected on the importance of stories that celebrate resilience and belonging, calling the film ‘a beacon of light’ in troubled times.
‘Shōgun’ Sweeps the TV Categories
FX’s ‘Shōgun’ solidified its dominance in the television categories, securing four Golden Globe awards, including Best Drama Series, making it the biggest TV winner of the night. The epic historical saga set in feudal Japan entralled audiences with its intricate storytelling and performances, earning wins for Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, and Tadanobu Asano in their respective acting categories. Co-creator Justin Marks, accepting the award for Best Television Series, described the series as ‘built on the backs of fearless yeses’, emphasising the ambitious nature of the project. Meanwhile, Anna Sawai’s acceptance speech became an instant crowd favourite as she graciously gave a nod to fellow nominee Kathy Bates, who responded with a playful gesture – tearing up what appeared to be her acceptance speech.
Kieran Culkin’s Tequila-Fuelled Speech
Kieran Culkin once again showed why he’s one of Hollywood’s most charming wild cards during his Golden Globe win for ‘A Real Pain’. Taking the stage with tequila-fuelled candour, he confessed he was ‘definitely feeling it’ after a pre-show celebratory shot with Mario Lopez. ‘Whole speech is gone – terrific Kieran, you’re doing fine’, he joked, squinting at the audience. The Succession star reflected on his first Golden Globe nomination as a child and called the ceremony ‘the best date night’ for him and his wife, Jazz Charton. Even as the wrap-up music swelled, Culkin took his time, squeezing in a few extra thank-yous before signing off with a cheeky, ‘Now I’ll piss off’.
‘Wicked’ Holds Space And Steals The Spotlight
Even without sweeping the major awards, ‘Wicked’ was a constant presence at this year’s Golden Globes, thanks to playful nods throughout the night. Host Nikki Glaser leaned into the film’s viral ‘holding space’ moment during her monologue, joking with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in a hilariously meta reenactment that had the audience in stitches. The duo’s friendship was on full display, both on the red carpet and in the room, as Grande mouthed, ‘I’m holding hers’ in a callback that fans immediately picked up on. Later, Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Yeoh kept the momentum going with witty references to internet slang – ‘Zaddy’ and ‘Mother’ – proving that its cultural impact extends far beyond box office success.
Is Zendaya Engaged?
Zendaya, as expected, arrived at the 2025 Golden Globes in a show-stopping ensemble, generating immediate excitement. The Dune star graced the red carpet in a custom burnt orange Louis Vuitton gown, styled by her long-time collaborator, Law Roach. But it wasn’t just the couture gown or the Bvlgari diamonds that stole the spotlight. A prominent sparkler adorning Zendaya’s finger quickly sparked speculation about a possible engagement to Tom Holland. Notably absent from Bvlgari’s official press release detailing her jewellery, the mystery ring, believed to be a 5.02-carat cushion-cut design by Jessica McCormack, fuelled the engagement rumors. When questioned about the ring, Zendaya coyly shrugged her shoulders and responded with playful ‘jazz hands’, further intensifying the speculation.
Red Carpet Double Trouble
The Golden Globes red carpet took an unexpected twist when Glen Powell and Timothée Chalamet’s lookalikes, Max Braunstein and Miles Mitchell, made a grand entrance holding playful signs that read, ‘I won a lookalike contest and now I’m at the Golden Globes’. The duo’s striking resemblance to the actors turned heads, with Braunstein nailing Powell’s signature style – complete with sunglasses and a Texas swagger. The real Powell embraced the fun, hugging Braunstein, snapping a selfie, and joking about their shared ‘Powell face’. Meanwhile, Mitchell’s uncanny Chalamet-like charm had fans doing double takes, making the lookalike contest winners the most surprising scene-stealers of the night.
Catherine Pun
A Hong Kong native with Filipino-Chinese roots, Catherine infuses every part of her life with zest, whether she’s belting out karaoke tunes or exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations. Her downtime often includes unwinding with Netflix and indulging in a 10-step skincare routine. As the Editorial Director of Friday Club., Catherine brings her wealth of experience from major publishing houses, where she refined her craft and even authored a book. Her sharp editorial insight makes her a dynamic force, always on the lookout for the next compelling narrative.
