On January 7, the 80th annual Golden Globes Awards Ceremony was held in Los Angeles, hosted last minute by rising Filipino-American actor, and comedian Jo Koy. The Golden Globes are an event to celebrate both American film and television entertainment. To receive a Golden Globe is an honor, as it means you have been recognized for an exceptional performance in one or the other. While the Golden Globes do happen every year, the 80th Golden Globes has gone down as one of the most memorable.
Koy in the coming hours would receive a flurry of press and social media posts all reacting to his monologue, in particular the many jokes made at the expense of women. While the Golden Globes ceremony and its many hosts have never shied away from poking fun at the celebrities in the audience, Koy’s material was seen as more demeaning rather than endearing, earning more scowls throughout the night as opposed to laughter. During one of his opening lines praising Christopher Nolan’s 2023 film, “Oppenheimer,” he reduces it’s rival film by director Greta Gerwig, “Barbie,” released on the same date, to an immature joke about women’s bodies. He later makes another negative joke about singer Taylor Swift’s popular relationship with Kansas Chiefs’ tight-end Travis Kelce and how she will be featured less at the Golden Globes then at a Chiefs’ game.
“It was utterly disappointing to see [his performance] as a staple in Filipino households, he is known for his peak comedy and sense of humor which he did not display. Not only did he misrepresent Filipino people, he is also a disappointment to us and our culture and sense of pride,” said MKHS Filipino student Gabrielle Wong (11), while sharing their insight on the incident.
Despite Koy’s perceived slander of the comedic art, this year’s ceremony was the first to include a category welcoming praise and recognition for comedians practicing standup, those who are often overlooked compared to their actor counterparts. Winning the category was Ricky Gervais, a previous multiple-time host of the Golden Globes who has also been tainted from controversial statements but has seemingly made a comeback. Perhaps Koy, taking a cue from Gervais, can sneak back into the good graces of the association if his hosting stunt hasn’t already marked the death rattle for his career.
This year’s Golden Globes ceremony saw a 50 percent increase in ratings, which many believe Swift is responsible for as this is her first attendance at the Golden Globes in four years. Though that may have been the case, another woman made history that night instead, as for the first time in Golden Globes history, a Native American actress won a Golden Globe for Best Actress. The indigenous actress was Lily Gladstone, who starred as the lead actress in Killers Of The Flower Moon, a non-fiction drama film from Martin Scorsese last year. Gladstone’s win is important for Native Americans and indigenous peoples.
Scorsese’s 2023 adaptation of the biographical novel also titled, “Killers of the Flower Moon ,” delves into the story of the Indigenous Osage nation that experienced success in oil business after a forced relocation to Oklahoma. In an attempt to steal mineral and oil rights, many members of the Osage nation fall victim to murder and conspiracy against them. Scorsese’s decision to adapt a film that would not glaze over the manipulation of America’s indigenous tribes by corporations but would directly implicate the government in their failure to protect the people would finally open many Americans’ eyes to the predicament of the tribes. Scorsese’s film featured veteran actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro and broadcasted Gladstone’s talents from her indie film success as she is now a representative of her Blackfeet and Nez Perce heritage.
Gabriela Alcala Mares, a senior at Keppel, commented on Gladstone’s win, “The fact that she’s Native American shows other Native Americans that they can make it.”
“I think it’s amazing, because women of color have always been held back in Hollywood, so it’s amazing that a woman of color can win an award like [Best Actress]. Little Native American girls can look up to her and think ‘that can be me’” shares Bella Palma, Keppel junior.
“I feel like it was a milestone for Native Americans, and for representation in this country as a whole. Especially considering how little Native American representation we’ve seen,” Wong said, sharing their narrative on the representation.
Despite many people being angry to hear about Gladstone’s win, this will hopefully not stop her and more indigenous peoples like her from continuing to persevere and inspire more minorities to achieve their dreams. Best Actress is a major award and accomplishment to receive and to be recognized for. Seeing Gladstone’s success should motivate more like her to push boundaries and represent their culture just like she did at the Golden Globes.
