Leading up to this year's Golden Globes, viewers and partygoers alike had one question: How would Hollywood handle the sexual harassment scandals that have rocked the industry since the October allegations against powerful producer Harvey Weinstein?
In perhaps a reflection of how this year's award season will go, the Globes tackled the question head-on. During the ceremony, which was held on Sunday, January 7 at the Beverly Hilton, host Seth Meyers struck a delicate balance between humor and social commentary, starting the show with a cheeky "Good evening, ladies and remaining gentlemen." Presenters and winners also didn't shy away from the issue, most notably in an emotional speech from Cecile B. Demille award-winner Oprah Winfrey that drew a standing ovation.
Perhaps the most striking change was revealed on the red carpet: The vast majority of attendees wore all-black attire as a form of silent protest against sexual harassment in Hollywood. (Fashion websites such as New York's The Cut followed suit, announcing that they wouldn't be ranking Globes fashion this year.) Many A-listers also donned pins that said "Time's Up" in honor of the new anti-harassment initiative, while eight big-name actresses brought female activists as their dates.
The scandals had an effect on the weekend's parties, as well. Unsurprisingly, Netflix cut ties with the Weinstein Company, which had been its party partner for several years; instead, the streaming video company hosted a stylish bash at the new Waldorf Astoria. Meanwhile, prominent talent agency CAA canceled its annual party and used the money to form a legal defense fund to assist workplace harassment victims.
Other traditions remained intact. Parties from HBO, Fox, and Warner Brothers were as glamorous as ever, filled with glittering chandeliers, over-the-top florals, and eye-catching color palettes. And new this year was a viewing- and after-party from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Dick Clark Productions meant to commemorate the Globes 75th anniversary.
Click through to see highlights from these and other events surrounding the Golden Globes.
Held on the roof deck of the Beverly Hilton, Fox’s annual party brought together 20th Century Fox, Fox Searchlight, FX, National Geographic, and Hulu for one blowout bash on Sunday night. 15/40 Productions produced the popular event, which reportedly reached capacity by 10 p.m. The elegant look featured a color palette of deep reds, blues, and golds, with glittering chandeliers overhead.
The Beverly Hilton has hosted the Golden Globes a total of 47 times. This year, nearly 1,300 guests participated in the live telecast, dining on a three-course meal by the hotel’s executive chef Alberico Nunziata and executive pastry chef Thomas Henzi. (See menu details here.) The floral centerpieces by Mark’s Garden featured more than 15,000 red- and sunset-hued orange roses displayed in diamond-wrapped gold containers.
Nearly 3,000 additional guests attended viewing parties and after-parties held in various spaces throughout the hotel.
Backstage during the ceremony, presenters and winners celebrated with golden goblets of Moët & Chandon, the official champagne of the Golden Globes. Overall, the brand served more than 1,500 Moët & Chandon Impérial minis, 125 cases of Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2006 and Moet Rosé Impérial magnums, and 500 cocktails featuring Moët & Chandon Impérial. The brand also continued its annual philanthropic initiative, “Toast for a Cause,” for the ninth year. The program invites nominees to raise a toast in support of their favorite charities; for each toast, Moët donates $1,000 to the charity in the nominees’ names.
Conveniently located at the Beverly Hilton’s Circa 55 restaurant and Aqua Star Pool, which are situated directly outside the ballroom where the Globes are held, HBO’s bash is often the first stop on the Globes party circuit. The event was overseen by HBO’s Cindy Tenner—who continued her longtime collaboration with event designer Billy Butchkavitz and his brother Brian Butchkavitz—and featured a palette of golds and orchid with geometric patterns inspired by 1960s art. Images by Lighting handled lighting, and animated 3-D projections by Bart Kresa completed the look.
The main color scheme of the party was gold, as a nod to the Globes' 75th anniversary. Orchid was used as an accent color throughout the party space. Town & Country Event Rentals provided the tables, chairs, and other rentals, while Special Event Contractors created the sub floors, decorative perimeter wall, and the pavilion anchored atop the Aqua Star Pool. Meanwhile, SoCal Tents provided the dining pavilion, and Emerging Entertainment provided audio.
The red carpet immediately presented the event decor themes, with geometric patterns on the walls, a palette of gold and orchid, and a series of oversize gold vases. Agile Eye Solutions provided all large-scale decorative elements.
The bar offered a dramatic focal point in the center of the room.
After co-hosting with the Weinstein Company for several years, Netflix had its own event this year—which proved to be one of the most popular events on the Globes party circuit. Taking over a space at the new Waldorf Astoria on Sunday night, the bash took on a blood-red color scheme. Netflix worked with Swisher Productions to produce the event.
Upon entering the Netflix party, guests were offered a glass of wine by hands coming from a Netflix-branded wall. They also could stop by a shoe valet, and trade in their heels or dress shoes for a pair of slippers.
Matching the all-red color scheme, a square of roses was displayed behind the bar.
In honor of the Globes’ 75th anniversary, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association teamed up with Dick Clark Productions to hold its first official viewing- and after-party on Sunday night. Winners were able to have their trophies engraved in real-time at an engraving station inside the party, which was held in the Wilshire Garden of the Beverly Hilton. 15/40 Productions produced the event, which had a focal point of glittering pink chandeliers in a variety of sizes.
The long bar at the HFPA party featured tall florals that matched the party’s pink color palette. Fiji Water was a sponsor, and signage throughout the event marked the Globes’ 75th anniversary.
Longtime party partners Warner Brothers and InStyle magazine teamed up for an after-party in the Oasis Courtyard at the Beverly Hilton. JOWY Productions and Eric Buterbaugh Florals constructed a tent to completely cover the hotel’s fountain, transforming the courtyard into a “Reimagined Louis XVI” world using modern twists on French Baroque architecture as well as columns, mirrors, and a palette of black, white, and gray with splashes of deep purple. Sponsors include Cadillac, Eyelove, and L’Oréal Paris.
Buterbaugh’s floral arrangements, which were all white with eye-catching splashes of red and black, served as a focal point during the seated meal.
There were plenty of parties leading up to Sunday's events as well. Raising almost $4 million for Sean Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization, the annual J/P HRO Gala was held at Milk Studios on Saturday night. The glamorous dinner drew big names such as Brad Pitt, Emilia Clarke, and Spike Jonze, plus a surprise performance by James Taylor. Leonardo DiCaprio was honored for his leadership in the fight against climate change.
Showtime also hosted an event on Saturday, at the Terrace at the Sunset Tower Hotel. The intimate bash—which was planned in-house by Shari Kaufman, the network’s senior vice president of talent relations and events—featured florals by Hollyflora. “[We wanted] just the right touch of elegance, with hundreds of oil candles and loose romantic French florals in coral and deep-red hues,” said Kaufman.
Upon entering the event, guests were greeted with mini shots from Casamigos tequila—and when leaving, they were offered vitality and wellness shots from Pressed Juicery.
During the party, DJ Zen Freeman entertained the crowd, and guests dined on branzino, roasted chicken, Brussels sprouts, and Sunset Tower’s signature mac ’n’ cheese. Joe Lewis Company projected the Showtime logo in the pool.
The nonprofit hosted its 11th annual celebration on Saturday at Barker Hangar. The evening, which is traditionally held the night before the Golden Globes, featured event production by Event Eleven and honored John Legend.
Hospitality and catering firm Schaffer handled food for the evening, aligning with the event themes of “Love, Light, and Laughter.” For the idea of light, Schaffer designed LED trays to illuminate monochromatic hors d’oeuvres with saturated color. “We want the guests to experience their first tastes visually," said Kathleen Schaffer, the company’s creative director. “For the dinner we prepared an interactive first course of chestnut purée. Guests pour their purée over a composed bouquet of fragrant pickled persimmon, fresh pomegranate, and spiced pepitas. The entrée course is served family-style as a way for guests to break bread together and celebrate.”
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles hosted its 2018 Tea Party on Saturday afternoon at the Four Seasons. Award-season nominees as well as executives, celebrities, and Bafta members enjoyed a traditional British tea party, featuring British tea, scones, and cocktails. Presented by BBC America and the Great Britain campaign, the event was produced by MTA Events.
The official champagne of the Golden Globes celebrated its third Annual Moët Moment Film Festival—which celebrates the next generation of Hollywood storytellers—on Friday night. A star-studded crowd including Laura Dern and Billie Lourd attended the party, which was held at Poppy in West Hollywood. Guests entered the event, which was produced by Moët’s in-house experiential team, through a floral- and greenery-lined hallway. Guests drank from golden goblets through the evening, and danced to music by DJ Anthony Pisano.
Returning for its 15th year, the HBO Luxury Lounge teamed up with Ancestry.com to create a retreat for celebrities and influencers at the Four Seasons. Ancestry asked guests to write notes and attach them to a "family" tree; there was also a historian on site who helped attendees navigate their family histories. Other lounge sponsors included Lucy Hart Ink, which provided on-site brow-shaping, as well as Pinkberry, Don Julio Tequila, and Watch Gang.
Esquire magazine and Hollywood power couple Mike and Irena Medavoy teamed up with Maserati to celebrate this year’s Golden Globes nominees. Drawing attendees such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Joan Collins, and Kyle MacLachlan, the Friday-night party took place at the Medavoy home. A clear tent featured hanging lightbulbs and white florals.
W magazine and Audi kicked off the celebrations on Thursday with a penthouse party at Chateau Marmont. With additional sponsorship from Dior and Dom Perignon, the evening included a light dinner and cocktails alongside a celebration of the magazine’s “Best Performances” issue. Audi chauffeured V.I.P. guests such as James Franco, Gal Gadot, and Salma Hayek to and from the event. Inside the penthouse, the walls were lined with larger-than-life images from the magazine.
