On the 8 January 2024, the 81st Golden Globe Awards took place at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Contrary to popular belief, the Golden Globe Awards are not the same event as the Oscars, as the Golden Globe Awards recognise actors’ and directors’ hard work in TV series and movies, yet both honour the film industry for their work. Celebrities graced the red carpet with swarms of paparazzi dying to capture a photo, prior to them celebrating the successful film and television of 2023.
Usually, the highlight of the Golden Globes within the media is what people are wearing, if their two favourite stars meet each other and ultimately, who wins. For example, this year British Vogue allocated 28 of the A-list stars as best dressed at the event including Emma Stone who stunned in a custom Louis Vuitton dress with embroidered flowers flowing down and Cillian Murphy charmed the red carpet in a Saint Laurent tux, as well as many more celebrities who attended.
However, this year the focus was deterred, and comedian Jo Koy left many people unhappy and offended due to his comments made during the event. It is common for hosts to reference the famous names attending the event and sometimes make jokes surrounding them and their work, however it is easy for this to become misconstrued which is why Koy received a lot of grief from the media and guests.
Throughout the summer of 2023, it felt as though everyone was debating about whether Barbie or Oppenheimer was the better movie due to their coinciding release date. Therefore, Koy utilised this hot topic in one of his jokes during the event; “Oppenheimer and Barbie are competing for Cinematic Box Office Achievements. Oppenheimer is based on a 721-page, full surprise, winning book about the Manhattan Project, and Barbie is on a plastic doll with big boobies” Many viewers were left feeling very offended by this joke because Barbie was a film that represented the ever-lasting struggles women go through, and made women, and men, understand their worth and value in society, yet Koy belittled the film, whilst ultimately sexualising women, and some people have argued that this goes against the entire point of the film. One TikTok user commented “It really is upsetting, like what a huge setback for us”, however another came back saying “You do realise Jo Koy is a comedian, that’s what comedians do, they joke about most people, that’s part of their job, grow a backbone!”. Additionally, many of the cast of Barbie among the other stars attending, reacted negatively to Koy’s arguably insensitive and immature comment. Margot Robbie shared an awkward smile, whilst Ryan Gosling gave a disapproving look due their hard work being diminished. A-listers such as Selena Gomez and Emma Stone were seen shaking their head and putting their head in their hands in response to the joke.
Ultimately, Jo Koy’s comment should not take away from the success and wonderful achievements celebrated at the Golden Globe Awards that night.
British Vogue 28 best dressed: https://www.vogue.co.uk/gallery/best-dressed-golden-globes-2024