Zuri Hall picks her Golden Globes faves
US media star tips Davis, Boseman for TV gongs
US media personality Zuri Hall is cheering for Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman for their performances in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom to win at the 78th Golden Globes this weekend.
The 32-year-old entertainment reporter who also acts is also hoping Hamilton will scoop the award for best motion picture – musical or comedy – in the US television industry awards.
Above all, Hall is excited about hosting the experimental pre-show HFPA Presents: Globes Countdown Live that will stream live on Twitter and the official Globes site.
Joined by actor and musician Sofia Carson, the duo will host the 90-minute special live from The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.
All eyes are on the Globes as the first to stage during this year’s awards season amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Comedians Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will host the Globes in two different locations (LA and New York) on Monday morning local time.
“I’m most anxious about technical difficulties because we have all been dealing with video chats for the last year and I doubt anything in that sense will go smoothly,” Hall shared during a WhatsApp call on Monday.
“But it’s an amazing team that is putting this together. I’m also just excited for the fashion.
“I do not know what I’m wearing. I had a fitting later today. I joke that now, more than ever, what matters is whatever I’m wearing from the waist up because we are all in these virtual boxes. But whatever it is there will be a statement like a necklace.”
Hall has been busy lately. Aside from her day job as TV presenter for daily entertainment news show Access Hollywood, last November she started her podcast Zuri Hall’s Hot Happy Mess. It’s part of the collaborative project between iHeart Radio and Charlamagne tha God. Bonang Matheba also scored a similar podcast as part of the partnership.
“It’s all about embracing your magic in the middle of life’s messes. We are striving for best life minus the burnout,” Hall says.
“It’s about how to infuse your everyday life with more peace, joy, laughter and fun. We are talking about everything from relationships to sex, dating, mindfulness and meditation.”
Hall describes her decadelong TV career as slow and steady in an industry that is highly competitive. A highlight has been her NBC prime time show American Ninja Warrior that is moving into its 13th season. Of course, working for E! for five years was another highlight.
“I grew up watching Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic host live from the red carpet and I thought one day I’d love to be there,” Hall recalls.
“So, the first time ever I was hosting a red carpet show – I believe it was the Oscars – with Ryan Seacrest, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.”