2018 starts with the Golden Globe Awards

This year’s 75th annual Golden Globe Awards were held on Jan. 7, 2018, kicking off the new year’s award season.  Seth Meyers hosted the event in Los Angeles surrounded by some of the biggest TV and movie stars.
This year’s Golden Globes were not only about honoring the talented actors and actresses who have provided us with sensational films, but also called attention those who have faced sexual harassment and abuse in the industry.
It became apparent during the red carpet event that this Golden Globes event would be like no other in the past. Practically every celebrity, presenter and guest was dressed in black from head to toe. Everyone wore black to show solidarity against sexual harassment across the world and in work environments.  This movement called Times Up started as a response to the movement #metoo. This hashtag has spread across the internet since this past October with a goal of calling attention to the disturbing number of people affected by sexual harassment.
“It’s so amazing that all of the men and women at the Golden Globes are standing together in solidarity to support women’s rights,” said freshman Sari Hartstein.
The global issue of sexual harassment and inequality is one that Hollywood recognized requires attention.  Bringing this issue to such a prestigious and highly viewed event was a great way to demonstrate how nobody should be afraid to stand up for their rights, and that there is hope for an end of these massive issues.
“The Times Up movement gives me hope for a future of women feeling safer in the workplace and to begin working towards a world without sexual harassment and with equal rights for all men and women,” said freshman Hope Lane.
The awards show began with host Seth Meyers addressing political issues in a light and joking matter that spread laughs all around, but caused some controversy. He touched upon Harvey Weinstein, the movie mogul who’s sexual assault accusations essentially inspired the entire #metoo movement, Donald Trump, and more sensitive, but important, topics.
Many inspirational and moving speeches were given as actors came up to the stage to receive their awards such as first award receiver, Nicole Kidman, who won for Best Actress in a Limited Series for her performance in HBO’s Big Little Lies.
“This character that I played represents something that is the center of our conversation right now: abuse.  I do believe and I hope that we can elicit change through the stories we tell and the way we tell them,” said Kidman in her acceptance speech.
This inspiring way to start off the night brought smiles to all in the room and viewers at home. Later on The Greatest Showman won for Best Original Song.  This movie musical is about the famous P.T. Barnum and the story of the obstacles he overcame to create his mesmerizing circus.  This was the second time winning this award for songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, after winning last year for the movie La La Land.  Pasek and Paul have also written songs for the Broadway show, Dear Evan Hansen.  Having already won Golden Globes and Tonys for their work, these artists have a bright future ahead for their musical talents.
The 2018 Golden Globe awards was a show that could not have been missed.  The solidarity and union showed by these Hollywood stars was truly moving.