Some Heartfelt Moments Few Saw From The 80th Annual Golden Globes

heartfelt moments at the 2023 Golden Globe awards

The 80th annual Golden Globe awards took place last night in Beverly Hills and as much as some of my readers are sick of self-congratulatory displays amongst highly paid celebs, the evening was an unusually emotional one with what felt like many sincere thanks and tributes. Celebrities ignored, or in Michelle Yeoh’s case reprimanded, the musical cue to stop speaking and instead took their time with their speeches, making a point of singling out those to whom they were grateful or admired.

Golden Globes Heartfelt Moments

Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy pose with the Best Television Series – Drama award for House of the Dragon
Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy pose with the Best Television Series – Drama award for House of the Dragon

While it’s customary for the press to get the red carpet photos of the arrivals and each winner posing with their Golden Globe statuette, these are other photos taken by the press that are less often seen by the public.

selfie with rihanna golden globes
Everyone wanted a selfie with Rihanna. One of the few who asked and she complied

Nervous, shocked, blissful, grateful, intimate and heartfelt moments of or between celebrities – whether meeting for the first time or having been lifelong friends. Some of these moments occur in front of everyone, others take place backstage or behind the scenes.

Actor Austin Butler (ELVIS) and Director Baz Luhrmann embrace
Actor Austin Butler (ELVIS) and Director Baz Luhrmann embrace in joy

These are some of those photos from the 2023 Golden Globes we’ve decided to feature. Especially with the ubiquitous lists of the winners, youtube clips of speeches and red carpet photos you can easily find elsewhere.

Henry Winkler and Hillary Swank
Henry Winkler and Hillary Swank share a moment

Of course those of you who tend toward cynicism will claim these people, aware of the cameras, are always “on” but we believe these photos caught genuine emotion.

Seth Rogen congratulates Steven Spielberg as the director heads toward the podium.
Seth Rogen congratulates Steven Spielberg as the director heads toward the podium.
Jenny Slate meets icon Judd Hirsch
Jenny Slate meets icon Judd Hirsch

Many of the night’s presenters, winners and honorees made tear-inducing speeches. By now most everyone has seen clips of Jennifer Coolidge’s unabashedly honest speech describing her feelings about Mike White, moving him (and us) to tears. Her disclosing her struggle in Hollywood, surviving on bit parts here and there for years, prior to this recent success, moved every single person in the room. And millions at home.

Jennifer Coolidge With Golden Globe award
Jennifer Coolidge With Golden Globe award
Writer, actor, producer and Director Mike White was moved to tears at Jennifer Coolidge's speech
Writer, actor, producer and director Mike White was moved to tears at Jennifer Coolidge’s speech

Billy Porter’s introduction to Honoree Ryan Murphy was undeniably personal and Murphy, in turn, benevolently used his time at the podium to honor other achievements by actors in the LGTBQ+ community and inspire future ones.

Billy Porter and Ryan Murphy backstage
Billy Porter and Ryan Murphy backstage; mutual admiration at its best

And Tracy Morgan’s introduction to Cecil B DeMille Honoree Eddie Murphy culminated in a sincere hug.

Tracy Morgan presenting Eddie Murphy with Cecil B deMille award
Tracy Morgan presenting Eddie Murphy with Cecil B deMille award, and a giant hug
Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher steal a kiss
Eddie Murphy and Paige Butcher steal a kiss

Always nice to see actors genuinely proud of one another’s work.

Letitia White watches Michelle Yeoh on the backstage monitor
Letitia White beaming as she watches Michelle Yeoh on the backstage monitor
Sheryl Lee Ralph congratulates Quinta Brunson on her win
Sheryl Lee Ralph congratulates colleague and friend Quinta Brunson on her win
Ke Huy Quan and Tyler James Williams share a moment backstage
Ke Huy Quan and Tyler James Williams share a meaningful moment backstage

First time nominees and winners Quinta Brunson and Jeremy Allen White couldn’t have come off as more excited and genuine.

Quinta Brunson in the press room
Quinta Brunson in the press room, beaming
Jeremy Allen White ascending stairs
Jeremy Allen White yelled “I love acting” at the end of his speech as he walked off the stage with his trophy

Whether it was due to the lack of human contact during the pandemic or just the experience of working together at a time when the future of humanity seems so precarious, bonds between cast members seemed deeper and more respectful than usual and there appeared to be more laughter, talking amongst tables and less snark than prior awards shows.

Michelle Williams and Jamie Lee Curtis greet one another affectionately
Michelle Williams and Jamie Lee Curtis greet one another affectionately

And that was really nice to see.

golden globe awards

See all the 2023 winners and nominees here

Other Golden Globes red carpet photos and posts

all images courtesy of Getty Images