After a tumultuous, and frankly traumatic, couple of months in Hollywood, this year’s Golden Globes decided to take a stand.
Women, and some men, opted to reject the usual opulence of the red carpet and instead wear black, signifying their decision to confront the avalanche of sexual assault allegations that have plagued the Academy.
Although it was well-known most actresses would choose black outfits, the effect is more stunning and profound than many expected.
Missi Pyle wearing Time’s Up badge.
Interviewers on the red carpet, like Giuliana Rancic, are also clad in black, ensuring the statement transcends the barriers of the entertainment industry.
Reporters at the ceremony are often derided for asking sexist and shallow questions of the female talent, like “who are you wearing?” and “who’s looking after the kids?” This year, they’ve realised how incongruous this would be to the message the black garb is trying to send, E! is instead asking, “Why are you wearing black?”
Due to the ubiquity of black at the ceremony, those who chose to wear colour seem especially jarring. Cindy Crawford, Blanca Blanco and Zenobia-Shroff all snubbed the movement with bold dresses.
Blanco Blanca and John Savage.
Zenobia Shroff.
Meryl Streep, who brought Ai-Jen Poo the director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, articulated the universality of the movement.
“It’s led to abuse in our own industry, and it’s led to abuse across the domestic workers, it’s in the military, it’s in congress – it’s everywhere,” she explained.
“We want to fix that and we feel sort of emboldened in this particular moment to stand together in a thick, black line dividing us from them.”
Kelly Clarkson fangirling over Meryl Streep.
Perhaps more significant than the sea of black is the women prominent actors have taken as dates. So far, at least eight actresses have confirmed they’re bringing activists instead of partners of family as their dates to the awards show.
Laura Dern will be accompanied by Monica Ramirez, a woman who fights sexual violence against farm workers and advocates for Latina empowerment.
Michelle Williams brought along Tarana Burke, the initiator of the #metoo movement which ran parallel to Hollywood’s Harvey Weinstein reckoning for the average woman. The campaign encouraged women all over the world to break their silence and its popularity proved just how pervasive sexual harassment and abuse is in everyday life.
Michelle Williams with activist Tarana Burke.
Let’s just hope the slogan of this campaign proves true and their time, that of the abusers and megalomaniacs, really is up.
