It was a night of surprises and historic wins Sunday at the 2019 Golden Globes in Beverly Hills.
Green Book, based on the true story of an African-American pianist and white bouncer on a tour of the 1960s South, picked up a leading three awards, including best picture musical or comedy, best screenplay and best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali.
Despite a backlash over the film’s handling of racial issues and criticism from Dr. Don Shirley’s family over the African-American musician’s portrayal, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association chose the racial road trip film over political biopic Vice, which led all movies heading into the night with six nominations.
Vice won one Globe, with Christian Bale taking home an award in the best actor in a motion picture musical or comedy category.
Green Book also eclipsed A Star Is Born, which started the night with five nominations but picked up just one Globe in the best original song category for Shallow.
It was also a big night for Killing Eve star Sandra Oh, who won the best actress in a television series
drama award, making her the first actress of Asian descent to take home multiple Golden Globes after her previous best supporting actress win for Grey’s Anatomy in 2005.
During her acceptance speech, Oh thanked her parents who proudly stood and applauded her win.
“There are two people here tonight that I’m so grateful they’re here for me,” she said, adding, “I would like to thank my mother and my father,” before segueing into Korean and giving a bow.
Oh co-hosted the show with Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Andy Samberg, making this the first time someone of Asian descent has emceed the Golden Globes.
Also having a memorable evening at the 76th Annual Golden Globes were The Kominsky Method, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story and Roma, with each picking up two awards.
Regina King was another big winner. She took home a Globe for her performance in If Beale Street Could Talk, giving her more momentum heading into the Oscar nominations later this month.
King won praise for her acceptance speech as she talked about the importance of the platform actors have when they win awards. She vowed to use her platform to level the playing field for women in Hollywood.
“Time’s Up, times two,” she said. “I’m going to use my platform right now to say in the next two years, everything that I produce, I’m making a vow and it’s going to be tough, to make sure that everything that I produce that it’s 50 percent women.”
