Hollywood A-Listers Poised to Shine at Golden Globes

AFP/APP

Los Angeles: Hollywood’s most celebrated stars from film and television are set to dazzle at the Golden Globes this Sunday, as the year’s first major awards gala kicks off with Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez leading the pack with a record-breaking 10 nominations in the comedy/musical category.

French director Audiard’s genre-bending, Spanish-language musical about a Mexican drug lord transitioning to life as a woman has captivated audiences since its Cannes debut. The film’s success at the European Film Awards has bolstered its position as a strong contender for both the Globes and the upcoming Oscars in March.

“It’s a true musical that wowed people,” said Pete Hammond, an awards columnist at Deadline. “Its international appeal and critical acclaim give it an edge.”Dramatic Showdowns

Emilia Perez earned nominations in several key categories, including acting nods for Karla Sofia Gascon as the title character, Selena Gomez, and Zoe Saldana. It will compete for the Best Musical/Comedy prize against major contenders like Wicked, Anora, Challengers, A Real Pain, and The Substance.

The highly anticipated film adaptation of Broadway’s Wicked also made waves, earning four nominations, including Best Actress nods for Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. Erivo faces stiff competition from Gascon, Mikey Madison (Anora), Amy Adams (Nightbitch), Demi Moore (The Substance), and Zendaya (Challengers).On the drama side, The Brutalist and Conclave are neck and neck, with both films garnering multiple nominations. Adrien Brody stars in The Brutalist as a Hungarian Jewish architect navigating post-Holocaust America, while Conclave delves into the intense Vatican politics following a pope’s death.

Other nominees for Best Drama Film include the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two, the 1960s reform school story Nickel Boys, and September 5, a thriller set during the 1972 Munich Olympics.

The Golden Globes will also honor excellence in television. Comedy series The Bear leads with five nominations, while historical epic Shogun and mystery-comedy Only Murders in the Building follow closely with four each.

A Revamped Golden GlobesThis year marks the second iteration of the Golden Globes under its revamped format. Following a 2021 exposé that revealed the lack of diversity within the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the awards body has been dissolved and restructured under new ownership.

With a renewed focus on international and diverse storytelling, this year’s nominees reflect a broader scope of cinema and television. “The Globes have become more inclusive, spotlighting different kinds of movies and global narratives,” Hammond noted, referencing the diverse slate of nominees such as The Brutalist.

The Gala EventComedian Nikki Glaser will host the star-studded evening in Beverly Hills. The event begins at 5:00 pm Pacific time (0100 GMT Monday), with Hollywood hopefuls eagerly awaiting their turn to take the stage and claim glory in a celebration of storytelling excellence.

As the Golden Globes once again assert their place as a precursor to the Oscars, all eyes will be on the red carpet and the winners’ circle to see who emerges as this year’s brightest star.