‘Out of darkness and into the light’
Times reporters crisscrossed the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, running from the red carpet to the ceremony floor to the backstage press room to capture scenes from an evening when talk of politics and social justice made for a different kind of awards night.
During an event where women were demanding to be heard, the cast of “Big Little Lies” said it was extra gratified that the femalecentric HBO show garnered the Golden Globe for limited series or TV movie.
Star and co-producer Reese Witherspoon is one of the key players in the antisexual harassment coalition Time’s Up that encouraged the fashion blackout at the ceremony. She spoke of the decision to unite in solidarity after a “difficult year” in Hollywood.
“A lot has come out of the darkness and into the light,” she said. “I think there was a collective feeling that it wouldn’t be business as usual. … We’re very privileged to be here. There are a lot of people in other industries who don’t get the opportunity to be heard.
“Hopefully, this is a small
gesture that will continue to resonate.” — Yvonne Villarreal
Director Ava DuVernay, whose next film, “A Wrinkle in Time,” bows March 9, was feeling the positive, political vibes on the red carpet. “Not one person asked me what I was wearing,” she told The Times.
Things weren’t quite right inside the Beverly Hilton ballroom, however.
DuVernay was seated at a table in front of the stage alongside Viola Davis and Denzel Washington. But at the same table — with her back to the stage — was the woman of the evening, Cecil B. DeMille honoree Oprah Winfrey.
“This isn’t right,” DuVernay said of Winfrey’s lessthan-ideal seat. “I’m trying
to tell her publicist so they can move it. Why do I have the best seat?” — Amy Kaufman
You’d think that Rachel Brosnahan would be used to standing onstage, considering she plays a 1950s housewife-turned-standup comic in the Amazon series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” But when she won the award for lead TV comedy actress Sunday night, well, speaking in front of an audience was a challenge.
“I don’t remember any of it other than Oprah,” she told reporters backstage. “At which point, I forgot everything I thought I might say.
“People are still discovering [‘Mrs. Maisel’]. It’s been one of the most exciting and wonderful things about the show.” — Yvonne Villarreal
In “I, Tonya,” Allison Janney plays a tough-as-nails woman who many might say is outright nasty and unsupportive to the point of abuse to daughter Tonya Harding (portrayed in the film by Margot Robbie).
It’s a different type of abuse than the primary focus of the Time’s Up movement, but Janney, who took the supporting actress award for her performance, finds it all related.
“[Tonya] was not embraced for her individuality,” Janney said in the press room of the infamous figure skater, her award in hand. “That’s a shame that she wasn’t appreciated.… People need to be seen for who they are.”
She noted that while abuse and harassment will never end, “People will be held accountable for it. The fund [Time’s Up is] creating will help people who can’t afford legal counsel get counsel.”
“It feels great,” she added. “I’ve been a here a number of times and never won. It feels extraordinary.” — Tre’vell Anderson