Another year, another Golden Globe Awards. One of the biggest events of the year is an opportunity to celebrate the best of cinema and television from the previous year. Awards season has come and gone, but the excitement of the Golden Globes never really leaves us. The opportunity to dress up in your very best and hob-nob with famous faces is what keeps us coming back for more.
This year’s event was certainly exciting and full of surprises. Many expected the ceremony to be dominated by conversation about the looming UK referendum on Brexit, but it was actually about a much more interesting topic: gender equality and the #MeToo movement. The debate surrounding these issues made for riveting television and the opportunity to celebrate female talent in film and TV. Sadly, the event fell short of some of its aims due to the tragic death of journalist and presenter Rebecca Williams, just a day before the ceremony. But that’s a story for another day.
So, apart from the tragic death of a prominent journalist, what did we learn from the Golden Globes this year? Here’s a look at five things we learned from 2019’s Golden Globe Awards.
Women Are Empowering Each Other
The year 2019 was a big one for women in film and TV. To start, we had the world-famous 2018 Golden Globe Awards, which was a fitting climax to one of the most incredible years for women’s rights in cinema. The year before had seen the introduction of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, which put the spotlight on sexual misconduct and inequality in the workplace. Many big-name movie stars wore white roses in tribute to Rebecca Williams and held up a sign reading “I’m wearing white because I believe women should be able to wear whatever they want without fear of facing criticism.”
The message was clear: women are no longer afraid to speak out and be themselves, and that’s empowering them and encouraging other women to do the same. The #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have led to incredible change in just a short amount of time, and they continue to inspire activists and advocates around the world. It would have been easy for the Golden Globes to stick to the usual glitz and glam of an awards show, but they instead chose to drive home the message that women should be heard, respected, and believed. And you can bet your bottom dollar that they’ll be wearing white roses in the next awards show too.
A Better Hair and Makeup Look For the Red Carpets
Award ceremonies don’t just take place on the big screen. The smaller the television screen, the more important the makeup and hair become. The Grammys, the Golden Globes, and the Academy Awards are some of the most iconic awards shows, and it’s not hard to see why. The makeup and hair for these events are iconic because they set the tone for the entire awards season – from the red carpet to the award ceremony itself. If you’re a film or TV fan, it’s worth paying special attention to the makeup and hair for these events, as they often set the trends for the whole year.
This year, makeup artists used a variety of beautiful and intricate techniques to bring Audrey Hepburn’s timeless look back one more time. With its pixie cut, bright red lips, and exquisite eye makeup, her look from Breakfast at Tiffany’s brought a gleam to many a fashion influencer’s Instagram profile this year. This trendsetter will be dearly missed, but her legacy will live on through her timeless looks and the inspiration they provide for others.
Actress-Director Ava DuVernay Is Hollywood’s Newest Gatekeeper
While many are saying goodbye to 2019 and looking forward to a less politically-charged 2020, the industry is still waiting for the dust to settle on the Rebecca Williams scandal. The journalist was working on a story about Harvey Weinstein, and it was later posted just a few hours before she was set to publish it. Even though she had been harassed and threatened many times before, this time the tables were turned, and she was the one under attack. In a matter of minutes, her life was turned upside down, and she was left with an indelible stigma that will follow her for the rest of her life. While many in the media were quick to condemn her attackers, it’s been noted that she may not have received the support she needed from within the industry itself. One woman’s journey inevitably ends, but at least we’ll have Ava DuVernay to protect us from predators in the industry.
Awards Shows Are Trendsetters
We know what you’re thinking: awards shows are pretty! But did you know that they have a serious side too? The Golden Globes, the Emmy Awards, and the SAG Awards are probably the most well-known of the awards shows, and they set the trends for the whole year. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that just a few short hours can change you life forever. One woman’s journey inevitably ends, but at least we’ll have Rebecca back. It’s been said that the hashtag #JusticeForRebeccaWilliams is going to continue to trend for a long time to come.
One of the biggest trends set by the Golden Globes was the backlash against extravagant dresses and expensive jewelry. The awards were dominated by women choosing to wear more practical and understated outfits designed to draw as little attention as possible. It would be remiss of us not to mention the stunning dresses, but we prefer to focus on the outfits that broke the internet this year.
The #MeToo Movement Didn’t Die, It Just Changed Focus
It’s not just about the Golden Globes. The #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have influenced every single awards show this year, from the Golden Globes to the Emmys. And it’s not because of a rash of sexual abuse allegations. While this topic certainly brought awareness to the table, it wasn’t the driving force behind the conversation at the Golden Globes. As much as we’d like to believe that these issues didn’t happen before and after the awards show, they did. The issue has just shifted to one that’s more solvable.
What we have now is a climate where women feel comfortable speaking up and being themselves. We’ve never had a more open-minded, empowered group of women in film and TV, and it’s never been more important to represent them well on the screen. While the industry still has a long way to go, it’s a step in the right direction.