The Golden Globes is one of the major events lined up in the awards season, and people look forward to who walks away as the winner in this event organized by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). Touted as the precursor to the Oscars, the Golden Globes will be a rather lowkey event this year. 

There will be no celebrity presenters, live audience, red carpet, or press. NBC, which owns the exclusive rights, has announced that they will not be airing the event this year. The HFPA has also issued a statement, saying, “This year’s event is going to be a private event and will not be live-streamed. We will be providing real-time updates on winners on the Golden Globes website and our social media.” 

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The COVID-19 pandemic is definitely a factor, which seems rather wise considering current omicron scares. However, there is a deeper controversy that the Golden Globes is enmeshed in. 

What is the Golden Globes controversy? 

The Golden Globes is currently in crisis mode. In 2021, a report by The Los Angeles Times highlighted how the HFPA has no black members. This lack of representation was further problematized when a leaked email from former HFPA president Phil Berk, showed him calling Black Lives Matter a hate movement. 

Notably, films and shows with or concerning people of colour, like ‘Da 5 Bloods’ and ‘I May Destroy You’ have been snubbed in this ceremony. 

Currently, the HFPA is looking to increase its membership, while focusing on groups that are underrepresented. NBC has also aired similar concerns saying that organizational changes need to be made before the network agrees to air the event. 

However, this is not the only trouble plaguing the award show. In 2018, Brendan Fraser, known for his role in the ‘Mummy’ movies, told GQ that he was groped by then-president Berk during a luncheon. The actor said, “I felt ill. I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I thought I was going to cry.” 

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At the time, Berk denied the accusation and a statement about investigating the matter, was released by the HFPA. 

The future of Golden Globes 

The HFPA has acted to mitigate the situation. Following the email leak, Berk was removed as the president and expelled from the organization. The current president, Helen Hoehn, clarified during the 2022 nomination announcement that the HFPA has 21 new members, reflecting the most diversity the organization has had in its 79-year history. 

However, due to the existing controversies, the Golden Globes has faced boycott within the industry. Netflix has stopped associating with the organization’s activities, with Amazon and Warner Bros following.