USA TODAY International Edition
WE SAT IN THE GOLDEN GLOBES BALLROOM. HERE’S WHAT IT’S LIKE DOWN THERE
A lot can happen in six hours. For a Golden Globe Awards attendee who arrives on time, that’s about how long you spend in the Beverly Hilton ballroom to celebrate those whom the Hollywood Foreign Press Association deems the best in TV and film.
Those six hours can have emotional extremes. Here’s a gamut of strong feelings you might have at the schmoozy, boozy awards soiree if you’re a first- time guest. ( This reporter was a bit feverish, which may explain some of the heightened emotions.)
EXCITEMENT
You’re there at 2: 30 p. m., when the invitation said cocktails are served. The ballroom is empty, save a handful of photographers. You wait for them to finish so you can take photos of your own and examine who is sitting where: Film stars get prime spots closest to the stage, TV actors are one level up, members of the HFPA are a row up from there, and you’re another step away.
LONELINESS
At 4, you’re still the only person at your table for 10. ( Later, you’ll learn other journalists are seated at Table 316, but they know not to arrive so early.) The dozens of other tables have only a couple of guests each. You eat your entrée of fish and steak alone. You miss the waiter when he leaves.
ADMIRATION
Half an hour later, “talent” begins arriving. You find some of your favorite stars in the bars outside the ballroom. Sylvester Stallone looks friendlier and younger than you imagined. He orders bourbon as you comment to his brother, Frank, about those mini champagne glasses with the attached sippers. Frank pretends to play one like a trombone.
You’re distracted by a stunning yellow gown. You realize it belongs to Emily Ratajkowski, who avoids eye contact with you when you consider complimenting her.
Michelle Williams and Natalie Portman stand out in the crowd. Even if you didn’t know who they were, you’d know they were special — faces kind; skin perfect; body language approachable.
You see a person you later realize is Casey Affleck, but for a moment think he’s an old friend you can’t place. You recognize a hoarse voice asking for directions to the bathroom as belonging to Cuba Gooding Jr., and turn to direct him. He gives you an appreciative smile, perhaps grateful you didn’t make a “show me the restroom” joke.
COMPASSION
It’s 5, time for the show. The ballroom is vast but not as big as it looks on TV. The Hilton manages to cram more humans into it than a fire marshal might consider safe. Stars aren’t immune to the tight traffic: You accidentally brush into Carl Weathers and Hugh Grant as you try to traverse the room.
Stars win awards, they thank lots of people. You can tell where the winning studios and casts are sitting, based on the loudest applause. You feel a vicarious thrill.
JEALOUSY
Mr. Robot actor Rami Malek tells Modern Family’s Sofia Vergara, “Congratulations on all of your wins over nine years.” Colin Farrell and Bryan Cranston embrace. Justin Timberlake and Pharrell talk to each other in high- pitched voices. It’s some inside joke.
It looks like something you’d like to be a part of, but you’re not — you’re press; you’re just observ-
ing. You hear Naomie Harris complain that her dress gives her little room to breathe. You shoot her a sincere, sympathetic look even though you’re not in her conversation. You think about how fun this would be if you were celebrating your own accomplishment with your own friends.
GREED
By 7, you realize you should take advantage of the food and drink stations. You score a “dark chocolate with hazelnut ganache” bite ( that’s what the woman in the chef hat calls it) from the chocolate bar. You try an espresso from the coffee bar and may have accidentally cut the line to get it. You get a vodka soda from the bar- bar. You know you’ll probably ditch that drink soon and order another one, because ordering drinks is fun.
You don’t smoke, but kinda wish you did so you could schmooze Heidi Klum, who’s focused on capturing a good selfie on the smoking deck overlooking the pool.
RESPECT
After indulging, you’re full and ready to listen. Remember, that’s the reason you’re there.
Though the crowd at the bar is loud, as Matt Damon comments when he takes the podium, you stop hearing those people when Viola Davis presents the Cecil B. DeMille Award to Meryl Streep. Then, Streep makes an impassioned speech about diversity, politics and art. The room gives her the biggest standing ovation of the night, with several applause moments throughout. People are nodding emphatically.
HAPPINESS
La La Land was your favorite film of 2016, so it delights you that it keeps winning trophies. You see others win, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Casey Affleck and Donald Glover. You want them all to keep winning at life!
EXHAUSTION
There’s an announcement during commercial break: “We are running way over. Work with us and we’ll work with you.” Not what you want to hear at 8 p. m.
You realize how tired you are, though all you’ve done is walk, eat and sit. Oh yeah, you’re sick.
GRATITUDE
You see Sunny Pawar, the 8- yearold star of Lion, shivering in an oversize tuxedo jacket that clearly doesn’t belong to him. You’re told that he’s not feeling well. You just want to hug the kid.
Instead, you congratulate every winner you walk by, including Tom Hiddleston, Billy Bob Thornton, Aaron Taylor- Johnson. You mean it. They smile graciously while gripping their Globes.