The new year kicked off with two annual ceremonies that commemorate excellence demonstrated in film and television. The Golden Globes took place on Jan. 7 followed shortly by the Emmys on Jan. 15.
The highly anticipated “Barbie” movie seemingly underperformed at the Golden Globes, with those arguing this proves that a male-dominated entertainment industry still lingers.
“I’ve always noticed that gender roles have played a huge part in the entertainment industry,” said Joeilyn Rizzo ’25. “Even though women fight for their spot in the industry, men are more likely to receive praise and credit.”
As a precursor to the Oscars, many believe that the bigger award show may be a mirror to the minimal number of Golden Globes given to Barbie.
Despite this, the Globes took a step towards huge representation for Indigenous actors with a win for Lily Gladstone, who became the first Indigenous person to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her performance in “Killers of the Flower Moon.”
The 75th Emmy’s was a celebration of television shows that were produced during the year. Emmy viewership was at its lowest in all of its recorded history, standing at 4.3 million viewers.
One remarkable award was given to Ali Wong, who won an Emmy for Best Lead Actress, for her role in Beef, being the first Asian woman to receive this award.
“Ali Wong’s Emmy win gives me drive, motivation, and a sense of purpose,” explained Marina Viray ’24. “I always looked up to women who ‘looked like me.’ I feel like that type of representation is important for future generations.”
Lily Gladstone and Ali Wong’s award-winning performances demonstrate the recognition for people of color for their contributions to entertainment. Moreover, decreasing Emmy viewership raises the question: how do we preserve the love of the arts and the true meaning of what an actor is?
“We need to get back to having communal viewing experiences. In a post-Covid world, that’s more important than ever,” said Riordan’s drama director, Gregory Callaghan. He added, “Being an actor is stepping into another person’s shoes, thoughts, and hearts, and giving them grace and dignity by sharing their story.”
