Award highlights of the Golden Globes and Grammys

Awards show season has officially kicked off. Every year, early awards season is highlighted by the Golden Globes and Grammys, which recognize the talent and achievement in their respective fields. Actors, directors, musicians, and artists alike gather to celebrate what has been achieved over the past year. The Golden Globes, held on January 10th, awards excellence in film and television while the Grammys, held on February 5th, honors the best in music. Both shows have sparked varying reactions from the public. 

The 80th annual Golden Globes was opened by comedian Jerrod Carmichael, whose opening monologue received high praise. Carmichael took the time to be vulnerable with the audience, opening up about his experiences with racism and the thought he put into accepting the offer from the Foreign Press Association after its recent backlash. 

On the awards side of things, Austin Butler won big after receiving Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for his role in hit movie Elvis. The movie, focused on Elvis Presley’s relationship with his manager, became the highest grossing film of director Baz Luhrman, narrowly beating out The Great Gatsby

Cate Blanchett won Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama, in her movie Tár. Blanchett took on the role of world renowned composer and conductor, Lydia Tar, in this psychological drama. 

Angela Bassett won Best Supporting Actress in Any Motion Picture, for her appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Playing Ramonda in the film, this was her second Golden Globe nomination and second win. 

Everything Everywhere All at Once, an interdimensional sci-fi thriller, won both Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical, or Comedy (MIchelle Yeoh), and Best Supporting Actor in Any Motion Picture (Ke Huy Quan). The two worked well together, portraying a loving couple that moves to the US together and starts a new life filled with unexpected twists and turns. 

As per usual, the Grammys were filled with exciting awards, spectacular performances, and jokes that had the whole audience laughing at Trevor Noah’s natural humor. 

Many performances rocked our souls, while some pulled at our heartstrings. Musical legend Stevie Wonder took to the stage with country star Chris Stapleton to perform a fiery rendition of “Higher Ground.” Later in the evening, Kacey Musgraves, Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood, and Quavo paid tribute to the stars of the music world we lost this year.

Beyonce, global superstar, made history after winning four Grammys, primarily for her new album Renaissance, which added to her previous collection of 28. Beyonce broke the record of most Grammy wins, surpassing George Soti’s 31. 

Special, Lizzo’s studio album, won Record of the Year. The extremely talented singer’s album features the single “About Damn Time” which gained much popularity on the artist’s fourth studio album of Lizzo’s.

Sam Smith and Kim Petras won Best Pop Duo this year with their hit song “Unholy” which was number one on Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks. This win made history as Petras was the first openly transgender artist to win a major-category Grammy award. 

Lastly, Harry Styles took home Album of the Year. Sadly, Styles received much backlash for winning the award. After getting on stage, shouts were heard exclaiming that Beyonce should have won, causing Taylor Swift to stand up for him. Styles won this award with his new album Harry’s House, the artist’s third studio album released in his solo career.

Both award shows clearly offered exciting, entertaining, and as per usual, controversial experiences for viewers.