Women shine at Golden Globes as abuse tops awards’ agenda
THE sexual harassment scandal that has rocked Hollywood dominated a Golden Globes ceremony where the UK and Ireland triumphed with wins in major categories.
Nominees and presenters dressed in black to stand in solidarity with victims of sexual violence, as winners spoke out about abuse in support of the Time’s Up campaign for gender equality.
Oprah Winfrey brought the room to its feet as she was given the honorary Cecil B DeMille Award, the first black woman to receive the highest honour at the ceremony. She told the room she saw a day on the horizon when women never have to say ‘Me Too’ again.
Her speech drew a huge response from the audience in the room and those watching at home.
Comedian Sarah Silverman was one of many tipping the US celebrity to run for president, writing: “Oprah/Michelle 2020.”
Gary Oldman, Ewan McGregor and Martin McDonagh were the only Brits to triumph at the ceremony.
Oldman scored the best actor in a drama prize for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, while McGregor won the best actor in a limited TV series for playing twins in Fargo.
Irish actress Saoirse Ronan beat the likes of Dame Judi Dench and Dame Helen Mirren
Clockwise from main: Oprah Winfrey was star of the night, Meryl Streep and Best Actress winner Saoirse Ronan
to win the best actress in a comedy film for Lady Bird, which was named best comedy film.
British-Irish playwright McDonagh won the best screenplay prize for his film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which was also named best drama film.
The small national school in
the village of Ardattin in Co Carlow, where Ronan studied as a young girl, suddenly became the focus of the media yesterday.
Principal Laura Vance said she had been inundated with calls about the school’s most famous ex-pupil.
Ronan’s first acting job was on RTE’s The Clinic, which also
starred her father, when she was just nine years old.
By the age of 13 she was nominated for an Oscar in the best supporting actress category for her role in the film Atonement.
She earned her second Oscar nomination for her role as an Irish immigrant who travels to 1950s New York in Brooklyn.