The Golden Globe Awards Get Spicy

By Isaiah Joseph | Published February 16, 2023

Last year’s Golden Globe Awards was an interesting one. Many actors and actresses were nominated for their chance to win an award as appreciation for their hard work participating in the year’s biggest films.

One thing stood out though, every year these awards are hosted by some of the greatest names in Hollywood. For example, the Golden Globes 2021 was hosted by actresses Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. The 2022 Golden Globe was hosted by one of the biggest and most highly anticipated actors in our generation today, Jerrod Carmichael.

American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and filmmaker Rothaniel Jerrod Carmicheal was the host of 2022’s Golden Globe Award event. For one, being a Black comedian in a predominately white industry gives him the center of attention.

“That is my dude! I love him, I’m glad he hosted it because he killed it!” Iris Fox, a junior theater major said. “We need more Black talents hosting these shows.”

Carmichael opened the award show with a deep dark comedic monologue, he withheld holding back as he was in the moment of the heat, and the spotlight was his. 

“I’m here because I’m Black,” Carmicheal said. sparking controversy throughout the media with many claiming he is playing the “Black card”.

But in contrast, it is more than that. This targeted the Golden Globe’s lack of diversity in the ceremony’s history.

Leona Kingsly, a sophomore and marine biology student, stands with Carmicheal as he uncovers and thrashes the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) for its lack of Black members. 

“He dragged their ass, and they definitely deserved it,” Kingsly said. “I feel like people who oppose his monologue must see that he has a point, feel me?.”

With that, Carmichael pitched into a recap of the current record of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and its prolonged lack of Black associates. 

“I’m not saying it’s a racist organization,” Carmichael said. “but it didn’t have a single Black member until George Floyd died.”

Carmichael refers to the history of the organization being closed off to black actors and actresses until the spark of George Floyd and the BLM movement that initiated the organization’s means to be more diverse.

“That comment was kind of insane in my opinion not going to hold you,” Fox said. “But now, when I think about it, it makes sense that when the issue with George Floyd happened every company and organization hopped on the BLM wave.”

Carmichael then continued his monologue with how he was invited to a sit-down talk with the HFPA President Helen Hoehne, which he kindly denied three times calling it “a trap.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Definitive Voice of Entertainment News, the comment left Hoehn shocked and upset. Sources claimed Hoehn walked out of the ballroom and was consoled by friends.

Social media felt like Carmicheal was going a bit too far with his monologue. Instagram and Twitter users expressed how the “whole thing was so awkward and uncomfortable,” and “the show needs to be fun, and it didn’t feel fun” because of the heaviness of some of the jokes.

“He did the right thing calling them out for being racist, this isn’t something new either,” Kingsly said. “White people have been controlling the film industry since the beginning of time, now that we called them out they want to bitch and cry, oh well!”

Carmicheal didn’t regret the monologue he presented as he casually concluded the monologue with a joyful smile.

“And regardless of whatever the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s past may be, this is an evening where we get to celebrate. And I think this industry deserves evenings like these. And I’m happy you all are here, and I’m happy I’m here, and I hope you have some fun tonight.” Carmichael said

---