Golden Globes 2023: Celebs who skipped the award show as ceremony returns after 2-year hiatus
The 80th annual ceremony of the Golden Globes saw a diverse slate of winners as host Jerrod Carmichael poked fun at the event's turbulent past with some of the winners absent.
The Globes attempted to restore itself as one of Hollywood's top award shows after suffering a nearly two-year boycott due to accusations over the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's lack of diversity among its membership and criticisms of unethical business practices.
Prior to the three-and-a-half-hour broadcast from the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the HFPA had undergone some changes, including adding six Black journalists (among 21 new members) and a more diverse group of 103 non-member international voters. However, the diversity consultant that the organisation hired has since resigned.
Despite all the changes, which stars didn’t attend the Golden Globes?
Brendan Fraser
Although Brendan Fraser was up for one of the biggest awards of the night, he revealed during a November 2022 cover story with GQ that he would not be attending.
“I have more history with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. No, I will not participate,” he told the publication at the time.
“It’s because of the history that I have with them. And my mother didn’t raise a hypocrite. You can call me a lot of things, but not that,” the Mummy star added.
Zendaya
Despite winning Best Actress in a Television Series for her portrayal of Rue Bennett in Euphoria, Zendaya chose not to attend the award show because she was “working”.
After her stunning win, Zendaya took to social media to express her gratitude to the Golden Globes for the “incredible honor” and to congratulate her other candidates and the Euphoria family.
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfried, whose performance won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film, also did not attend the awards show.
Although this is her first time winning the HFPA award, the Mamma Mia star was unable to attend the Los Angeles gala because she is currently filming a new musical.
Taylor Swift
Another celebrity who skipped the awards ceremony was Taylor Swift, whose song Carolina, from the movie Where the Crawdads Sing, was nominated for Best Original Song.
Although the 33-year-old hasn’t talked about her absence, we have a few guesses.
The singer is rehearsing for her upcoming Eras tour, set to take place later 2023. Golden Globes is recovering from scandal and the category Swift was nominated in is a minor one.
Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner had intended to attend the renowned awards ceremony, but unfavorable weather prevented him from going. Despite being on the guest list, the actor from Let Him Go was stranded in Santa Barbara because of mudslides.
Costner won Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Drama.
Scarlett Johansson
One of the few famous people who have abstained from the Golden Globes is Scarlett Johansson. In a statement released in May 2021, the Black Widow actress alleged that HFPA members had asked her “sexist questions” at press events and award ceremonies.
At the time, she said: “Unless there is necessary fundamental reform within the organisation, I believe it is time that we take a step back from the HFPA.”
