Inside the 2026 Golden Globes: See the Moments the TV Cameras Didn’t Catch
The 83rd annual Golden Globes returned to screens on Sunday night, bringing Hollywood’s leading names back into the same room for one of awards season’s most closely watched ceremonies. Held at the Beverly Hilton, the evening unfolded across packed tables, constant chatting, photo ops during commercial breaks, and a steady stream of off-camera moments that never quite made it to television.
Before the doors closed, the bar served as the celebration’s unofficial meeting point. Sabrina Elba and Evan Ross were deep in conversation, while Damson Idris, Ayo Edebiri, and Joe Alwyn filtered through the crowd. Adam Brody caught up with his Nobody Wants This costars nearby, and when Mark Ruffalo crossed paths with Jennifer Garner, it sparked a 13 Going on 30 nostalgia-fueled throwback among those who noticed. Aimee Lou Wood was also standing stunned after Ed Harris complimented her acting.
Dinner, curated by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, set the pace before the ceremony began. The menu included yellowtail jalapeño, a caviar cup, lobster salad with spicy lemon dressing, and a progression of nigiri, each brushed with nikiri soy.
Just before the start time, arrivals continued. Lori Harvey walked in with Ryan Destiny and Liza Koshy, while Macaulay Culkin and Jeremy Allen White greeted each other as soon as tmhey entered, joined by Brenda Song. The last person to arrive before the show officially began was Kylie Jenner, who slipped into the room solo and met Timothée Chalamet at their table.
As the exclusive champagne partner for the last 35 years, Moët Chandon was everywhere you looked. A red-carpet vending machine was stocked with miniature bottles, and both classic Moët Impérial and Moët Rosé Impérial were served to complement the meal. The maison also continued its traditional Toast for a Cause initiative, inviting the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Zoey Deutch, Brittany Snow, Kate Hudson, Minnie Driver, and Wanda Sykes to raise a glass for their respective charities (to date, the celebratory heartfelt project has supported over 30 nonprofits.)
Before the first award was presented, Golden Globe president Helen Hoehne addressed the crowd, highlighting the organization’s year of expansion. She noted that the Globes welcomed 400 new voters from 95 countries and introduced the best-podcast category. Hoehne also shared her excitement about welcoming Nikki Glaser back as host for a second consecutive year, following the praise she received last season.
Glaser certainly justified the return. Opening her monologue, she framed the evening with honey-laced sarcasm, calling the Globes “without a doubt, the most important thing happening in the world right now” before dismantling the premise entirely. The jokes came fast, and no one was spared, as she lightheartedly skewered everyone from George Clooney and Kevin Hart to The White Lotus, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Sean Penn—all while still finding moments to praise Michael B. Jordan’s dual performance in Sinners, Ariana Grande’s vocals, and Chalamet’s commitment to his latest role in Marty Supreme. By the time she wrapped, the room was fully warmed up.
The night’s first presenters, Amanda Seyfried and Jennifer Garner, took to the stage to present best supporting female actor in a motion picture, handing the trophy to an emotional Teyana Taylor and setting an energetic pace. The mom of two emotionally dedicated her win to her “fellow brown sisters and little brown girls.” Tearfully, she continued: “Our softness is not a liability. Our depth is not too much. Our light does not need permission to shine. We belong in every room we walk into. Our voices matter, and our dreams deserve space.”
Indeed, One Battle After Another would prove to be a clear winner on the night. Receiving his “double Gs” for best screenplay and director, Paul Thomas Anderson said: “Writers, we’re magpies, we steal from everyone.… I share this with everyone I magpie’d off of.”
More on the 2026 Golden Globe Awards
