The Golden Globes have the reputation of being the raucous, fun, and outrageous award show. This year, the tone of the show was quite different, and the runway was more about activism than fashion. As Hollywood continues to reel and heal from the accusations of sexual abuse and harassment that have plagued the industry, the 2018 Golden Globe Awards attendees used the visibility of the show to promote a worthy cause. From black dresses to lapel pins to acceptance speeches, the message was clear. Time is up for sexual assault, harassment and inequality in the workplace.
Time’s Up
You may have noticed many men, and some women, sporting lapel pins at the Golden Globes this year. These Time’s Up pins were meant to mark those in support of the Time’s Up Now movement in Hollywood. According to the Time’s Up website, the movement exists for this reason:
TIME’S UP is a unified call for change from women in entertainment for women everywhere. From movie sets to farm fields to boardrooms alike, we envision nationwide leadership that reflects the world in which we live. Powered by women, TIME’S UP addresses the systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace that have kept underrepresented groups from reaching their full potential. We partner with leading advocates for equality and safety to improve laws, employment agreements, and corporate policies; help change the face of corporate boardrooms and the C-suite; and enable more women and men to access our legal system to hold wrongdoers accountable.
Wearing Black
As a show of solidarity with the brave women who have come forward with their stories of abuse, actresses in Hollywood wore black to this year’s Golden Globes. In addition to the somber color of the gowns, many women also chose less ostentatious outfits. Several women walked the red carpet in less traditionally feminine pant/skirt combinations. Others opted for simple silhouettes to take the focus away from the fashion and keep it on the issues. Both Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd are among those actress who spoke out about the sexual abuse they suffered in Hollywood.
Meaningful “Plus One”
Instead of inviting a significant other or family member to attend the awards show, many attendees chose meaningful “plus ones”. Several actresses attended the Golden Globes with prominent activists. Tennis great Billie Jean King accompanied Emma Stone, who will be portraying King in the upcoming movie, “Battle of the Sexes.”
An Impassioned Speech
One of the most memorable moments from the evening was Oprah Winfrey’s acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Not only is she the first black women to receive the award, she also used the platform as an opportunity to give an rousing plea for Hollywood, and America, to end the era of inequality for women and to usher in a new day of hope for women in all walks of life.
So, tell us, what was your favorite moment from this year’s show? Where you moved by the speech from Oprah? See our thoughts from the 2017 show here.
