Catch up to moments you might have missed
A lot went on at the Critics’ Choice Awards Sunday night in Santa Monica, California. Among the highlights:
1 Mahershala Ali shook off a bad week for ‘Green Book’
It wasn’t easy being “Green” this week, thanks to twin controversies that sprung up surrounding “Green Book” director Peter Farrelly (whose old penis prank surfaced) and screenwriter Nick Vallelonga (who wrote an anti-Muslim tweet in 2015). Both have apologized, but when Ali won on Sunday night for his performance, the actor gracefully sidestepped all of it by giving heartfelt thanks to the film’s composer and pianist, Kris Bowers.
“This gentleman I owe so much. This is my other co-star. He doubles for me. Did the composition for the film. He was my piano teacher … is my friend,” said Ali, bringing Bowers onstage.
2 ‘Roma’ took best picture AND best director
The big wins were a solid step forward for Spanish-language Netflix film “Roma”: The Critics’ Choice Awards (given out by the Broadcast Film Critics Association) often are a solid predictor for the Oscars race. Next stop, the Screen Actors Guild Awards (Jan. 27).
3 John Krasinski and Emily Blunt continue to reign as this season’s #CoupleGoals
Winning for best sci-fi/horror movie for “A Quiet Place,” Krasinski gave the sweetest toast to his family. “I got to make a movie about a love story, and a love letter to my kids, and I got to do it with the love of my life by my side. So, I’m pretty sure it doesn’t get much better than that!” he said after hugging Blunt. Backstage, Krasinski, who is writing a “Quiet Place” sequel due in May 2020, kept the laughs coming when a photographer pointed out he had tape stuck to his shoe. “No, I want tape on it. It’s kind of a thing,” he deadpanned with a grin.
4 There were TWO ties!
Glenn Close won best actress for “The Wife” – but so did Lady Gaga for “A Star Is Born.”
“I’m so thrilled it’s a tie, I can’t tell you!” Close said. “The world kind of pits us against each other in this profession. … I think I can speak for all the women in this category: We celebrate each other.”
Gaga, overcome with tears after her name was announced, embraced Close onstage. “Glenn, get over here!” she said after Close stepped away to give Gaga her time at the microphone. When the musicians attempted to play Gaga off (the show was running long), she said, “It’s OK, I can still do this with a piano background.” The audience cheered.
Amy Adams and Patricia Arquette also tied for best actress in a limited series or made-for-TV movie. “I want the other girl – woman – up here!” said Adams, who was called up to the podium first for “Sharp Objects.” She and Arquette danced onstage. “I actually can’t think of a more beautiful thing than a tie,” said Adams, sharing the spotlight with Arquette, who won for “Escape at Dannemora.”
5 BTW, Gaga has a ‘lockbox’ of plans to keep acting
“I will definitely continue acting,” Gaga said backstage after winning her first award of the night, best song for her “A Star Is Born” track “Shallow.”
“I love acting. I loved acting on ‘American Horror Story’ as the Countess for Ryan Murphy, and I loved acting in ‘A Star Is Born’ for Bradley Cooper, and I want to continue to do more,” she said. As for future collaborations with Cooper? “We talk about future films for me,” she said, but for now, those will “stay secret in a lockbox.”
6 Chrissy Teigen peeked into the photo room
The day after throwing her husband an epic James Bond-style birthday party, a hilariously partied-out Teigen attended the Critics’ Choice with Legend (and of course turned a trip to the bar into a Twitter moment). Coming backstage with Legend and his awardwinning “Jesus Christ Superstar Live” cast, Teigen briefly popped into a room crammed with photo editors at work. “Does anyone mind if I film this?” she asked.
7 When ‘Stella Got Her Groove Back’ had a mini-moment
During the show, host Taye Diggs took a walk through the audience to reunite with his former “Stella” co-star (he played Angela Bassett’s much-younger love interest in the 1998 movie). “I’m wondering if I can get my groove back. It’s been 20 years,” he said as Bassett cracked up. He didn’t stop there. Later, Diggs serenaded “BlackKklansman” director Spike Lee while dressed in an Afro and ’70s garb.
8 Claire Foy makes it clear: ‘There’s no such thing as just “the wife” ’
The “First Man” star was nominated for supporting actress for playing Janet Armstrong, wife of astronaut Neil Armstrong, though she lost to Regina King. Foy still got screen time. Accepting the third annual #SeeHer award, Foy said Janet “lived her life with such bravery and resilience and determination and love. There’s no such thing as just ‘the wife.’ ... Our job is to question ourselves, to question what we depict, who we depict and how we depict them.”
Close, who won for her role on “The Wife,” would agree. She spoke backstage about another woman in her life that she was honoring: her grandmother. “I’m wearing my grandmother’s wedding ring,” Close said. “The one thing she wanted to do was be an actress, but she wasn’t allowed. So here she is.”