MOST ICONIC GOLDEN GLOBES MOMENTS
editors ELIANA CASA and MAREK BARTEK
Surely a lot has happened since The first Golden Globes in 1944. Less formal than the Oscars and more unpredictable by design, the ceremony has long been a space for risk — sartorial, cultural, and political. From unscripted speeches to red-carpet disruption, its most iconic moments tend to arrive without warning. Here are (at least) some of our favourite ones:
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KATY JURADO WINS HENRIETTA AWARD | 1953
Katy Jurado’s rise in Hollywood marked a turning point for Mexican actresses working in American cinema. Her Golden Globe-era recognition came at a time when opportunities for Latin American performers were scarce and heavily stereotyped. Holding the now-defunct Henrietta Award, Jurado became a visible symbol of change, even as the industry remained slow to follow. Her success opened doors for those who came after her.
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CHER | 1973
Cher’s appearance in a matching tropical set and a fur coat confirmed the Golden Globes as a testing ground for red-carpet rebellion long before it became mainstream.
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ANJELICA HUSTON | 1974
Anjelica Huston attended the Golden Globes alongside Jack Nicholson, wearing a vintage fortuny gown and fur boa.
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BARBARA STREISAND BECOMES THE FIRST WOMAN TO WIN BEST DIRECTOR |1984
Streisand’s win was historic, but also revealing. It underscored how rarely women were recognised behind the camera, even at an institution known for its forwardness. Decades later, the moment still reads as both a breakthrough and a reminder of how long structural change takes.
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JULIA ROBERTS | 1990
Julia Roberts won Best Supporting Actress for Magnolias and stunned in the now iconic oversized Giorgio Armani suit, complete with a tie and flat boots, subverting red-carpet glamour and cementing her star status at 22.
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ISABELLA ROSSELLINI | 1997
At the 54th Golden Globes, Isabella Rossellini turned heads in a red cherry dress by Dolce & Gabbana, from their Fall/Winter 1996 collection.
RENÉE ZELLWEGER MISSES HER WIN | 2001
In true Bridget Jones fashion, Zellweger famously stepped out to use the bathroom at the wrong moment and missed her own award. It’s a moment that could only happen at the Globes — and one that still circulates as part of its mythology.
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BJÖRK | 2001
Björk continued to push the boundaries of what red-carpet fashion could be — expressive, eccentric, and unapologetically personal.
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NICOLE KIDMAN IN GUCCI | 2005
Nicole Kidman epitomised sleek modern glamour in Gucci with peacock feather detail, defining an era of red-carpet minimalism.
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ERIC MCCORMACK GOES PANTLESS | 2006
While posing with the Will & Grace cast, McCormack appeared without trousers on the red carpet. The moment captured the Globes’ reputation for irreverence and self-awareness. Less reverence, more fun.
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TILDA SWINTON IN HAIDER ACKERMANN | 2012
Simply Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann – that’s all.
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TINA FEY AND AMY POEHLER ROAST LEONARDO DICAPRIO | 2014
Their now-infamous joke about DiCaprio instantly entered awards-show canon. Fey and Poehler’s hosting style blended sharp cultural critique with effortless timing. It set a new benchmark for what hosting could look like. Smart, biting, and unapologetically funny.
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CATE BLANCHETT IN GIVENCHY | 2016
Cate Blanchett delivered a moment of couture gravitas in a sculptural pink Givenchy gown by Riccardo Tisci, marrying architectural shape with red-carpet elegance.
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ACTRESSES WEAR BLACK IN PROTEST | 2018
The red carpet became a unified political statement as actresses dressed in black in solidarity against sexual harassment and systemic abuse. Unlike fleeting symbolic gestures, the moment was backed by sustained activism within the industry. Fashion became a visible language of protest, aligning glamour with accountability. It marked a turning point in how awards shows engage with real-world politics.
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LADY GAGA IN VALENTINO HAUTE COUTURE | 2019
Lady Gaga arrived in a dramatic Valentino Haute Couture — a periwinkle evening gown that fused Old Hollywood romance with unmistakable Gaga signature style. Operatic, theatrical, and just entirely on brand.
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AWKWAFINA MAKES HISTORY | 2020
Awkwafina became the first Asian actor to win Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for The Farewell. Her win challenged long-standing biases around who gets to be visible, celebrated, and centred in Hollywood storytelling. It was a watershed moment — not just for representation, but for how success is defined within the industry.
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EMMA CORRIN IN MIU MIU | 2021
Emma Corrin stunned in black velvet Miu Miu, inspired by Pierrot the Clown and Twiggy, paired with Cartier jewellery, as she won her first Golden Globe for her role as Princess Diana in The Crown.
JENNIFER COOLIDGE’S SPEECH | 2023
Coolidge’s emotional, unfiltered acceptance speech struck a rare balance between humour and vulnerability, reminding us why she’s truly irreplaceable. It resonated far beyond the room. Proof that sincerity still lands.
image via fashionsizzle.com
RIHANNA IN SCHIAPARELLI | 2023
Rihanna commanded the red carpet in black Schiaparelli couture — a strapless velvet gown punctuated by an oversized sculptural rosette at the bodice, styled with opera gloves and diamond jewellery, turning couture into a pure pop moment.
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ROSAMUND PIKE IN DIOR COUTURE | 2024
Dark and absolutely regal, Rosamund Pike channelled her Saltburn persona in a black lace, tea-length Dior Couture dress layered over fishnet sleeves, completed with a dramatic Philip Treacy headpiece and veil.
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HUNTER SCHAFER IN PRADA | 2024
Hunter Schafer stepped out in the custom-made Prada gown in powder pink, made out of the dreamiest material possible. We think about this gown at least once a week.
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NATALIE PORTMAN IN DIOR COUTURE | 2024
Natalie Portman returned to classic Hollywood elegance in ivory Dior Couture, wearing a strapless column gown detailed with delicate floral embroidery.
KARLA SOFÍA GASCÓN SPEAKS FOR TRANS RIGHTS | 2025
Gascón used the Golden Globes platform to deliver a direct plea for trans rights at a time of mounting political pressure worldwide. The speech cut through the ceremony’s usual polish, grounding it in urgency and lived experience. It reinforced the Globes’ role as a space where cultural and political realities are allowed to surface without dilution.
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ANGELINA JOLIE IN MCQUEEN | 2025
Angelina Jolie embraced dark, romantic drama in McQueen, with her silhouette echoing her screen persona with gothic-poise finesse.
NIKKI GLASER AS THE HOST | 2025
Nikki Glaser’s hosting the Golden Globes is right up there with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, feeding the appetite for discomfort. Her jokes were sharp, unapologetic, and often pointed directly at Hollywood’s own contradictions, not only reviving a sense of risk but bringing it to new heights.