The Golden Globes is an annual, televised award ceremony second only to the Oscars.  Celebrities come together to watch as actors, actresses, and directors take home trophies for categories like “Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama” and “Best Television Series, Drama.” However, following controversy and outrage involving the diversity (or lack thereof) of the The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) and ethical issues within the organization, it was announced that this year’s show would be held privately. There was no audience or red carpet, and all results were tweeted on the Golden Globes’ official Twitter. A rise in COVID-19 cases were also to blame for the down-sizing of this well-loved event, as only select, vaccinated members were allowed at the ceremony and all guests were required to wear masks and stay six feet apart.

Despite the investigation into the HFPA and COVID related health restrictions, The Golden Globes’ decisions were made and released to the public on January 9th, 2022. Here’s the list:

Best Motion Picture, Drama

“The Power of the Dog”

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

“West Side Story”

Best Director, Motion Picture

Jane Campion, “The Power of the Dog”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama

Nicole Kidman, “Being the Ricardos”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

Rachel Zegler, “West Side Story”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture

Ariana DeBose, “West Side Story”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama

Will Smith, “King Richard”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy

Andrew Garfield, “Tick, Tick … Boom!”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture

Kodi Smit-McPhee, “The Power of the Dog”

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture

Kenneth Branagh, “Belfast”

Best Original Score, Motion Picture

Hans Zimmer, “Dune”

Best Original Song, Motion Picture

Billie Eilish, “No Time to Die”

Best Motion Picture, Animated

“Encanto”

Best Motion Picture, Non-English Language

“Drive My Car”

Best Television Series, Drama

“Succession”

Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy

“Hacks”

Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

“The Underground Railroad”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Drama

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, “Pose”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama

Jeremy Strong, “Succession”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy

Jean Smart, “Hacks”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

Kate Winslet, “Mare of Easttown”

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Supporting Role

Sarah Snook, “Succession”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy

Jason Sudeikis, “Ted Lasso”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television

Michael Keaton, “Dopesick”

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Supporting Role

O Yeong-su, “Squid Game”

In addition to the already abnormally closed event, the official Tweets through which these results were announced had an alarming amount of mistakes for a respected award ceremony. Categories were incorrect, movie and TV show titles were left out, and lyrics were cited to the wrong musicals. When an actors’ victory was shared, the actual project that won them the trophy was missing, meaning viewers had to conduct their own research themselves. A misstep farther, the Tweet mentioning Ariana DeBose’s win for “West Side Story” included the lyrics to “Lean on Me,” which is not featured in the motion picture at all. While these are arguably small issues, there was one misunderstanding about “West Side Story” that forced the Golden Globes into retracting their Tweet. 

The announcement for the winners of “Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical” started with “If laughter is the best medicine…” in reference to the tragedy. The accident implied this famously heart wrenching tale was a comedy, and the public didn’t take it lightly. The Twitter account was met with enough anger and criticism that the Tweet had to be taken down and rephrased. 

The Golden Globes’ change in procedure could be an indication of how ceremonies will start to adapt to new COVID variants, or just an example of what happens when an organization is exposed for “ethical lapses”, self-dealing and a lack of diversity. The event’s future is unclear, but there’s no doubt this ceremony represented 2021-2022 with its abnormality.