BEVERLY HILLS, USA – A Lino Brocka-admiring director, the first out transgender woman nominee in a film category, Wicked’s Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, Timothée Chalamet, and the first Indian filmmaker to earn a Globes nod were among those who excitedly reacted to their 2025 Golden Globe Awards nominations.
In the early morning announcement held on December 9, Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut presented nominees for the 82nd Golden Globes at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.
Following tradition, I woke up at 2 am to make it to the announcement, which made 26 performers newly-minted first-time Globes nominees, including Shogun’s Hiroyuki Sanada and Anna Sawai, Monsters’ Cooper Koch, Glen Powell, and Zoe Saldana.
Zoe Saldaña reacts to her #GoldenGlobes nomination.
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) December 9, 2024
pic.twitter.com/FPgWAdWbDP
The performances of Filipino actresses, Dolly de Leon (for Ghostlight), the first Filipina Globes film nominee in 2023 for Triangle of Sadness and Ruby Ruiz (Expats), were among those submitted for consideration by 334 voters — entertainment journalists representing 85 countries.
The winners will be announced on January 5 in “Hollywood’s Party of the Year” at the International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton.
Below are the reaction quotes of some of the nominees.
Sean Baker: Best director – motion picture, best screenplay, and best motion picture – musical or comedy (Anora)
Via email, Sean Baker told me about his remarkable journey with Anora, which I first saw at the Cannes Film Festival and where I also first met him:
“It’s been quite a ride. We are still processing the Cannes win as the film continues to roll out in the world so we are truly discombobulated (in a good way). We are just so grateful for the interest and love we are receiving from audiences around the world.”
“The Golden Globes nominations are the cherries on top! We never thought that our little indie would speak to so many.”
![[Only IN Hollywood] ‘Anora’ actor, director on Palme d’Or win, film’s potential for best picture](http://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2024/10/Anora-Sean-Baker-right-directs-Mikey-Madison-and-Mark-Eydelshteyn-on-Anora-set.-Courtesy-of-NEON-scaled.jpeg?fit=449%2C449)
Sean made it a point to attend the Cannes screening of the restored 4K version of Bona, the masterpiece of Nora Aunor and Lino Brocka, the late great Filipino filmmaker whom he admires.
He wrote in our recent email exchange: “Outside of genre cinema that crossed over, I had little exposure to Philippine cinema until I saw Lino Brocka’s Manila in the Claws of Light when I was in my mid-twenties. Brocka presented subject matter that I am very interested in (such as sex work) in a social-realist style that brought a ground reality and empathy.”
“I immediately felt a kinship with Brocka as a filmmaker. I knew of Bona but never saw it as I was holding out for a restoration. Thankfully it has happened and I was able to see it presented at Cannes this year. Bona is another important and truly impactful work of Brocka’s oeuvre with an ending that will stay with me forever.
Karla Sofia Gascon: Best female actor in a motion picture – drama (Emilia Perez)
With her citation, Karla made history as the first openly trans woman to be nominated for a film in the lead actress category.
“This has been an overwhelming morning. Tears filled my eyes when I heard the news. I want to thank all the members of the Golden Globes for this nomination.”
“It’s incredible to be recognized alongside my costars. I’m so grateful to Jacques (Audiard) for the gift of Emilia. We couldn’t have created the world of Emilia Perez without the amazing artistic and technical team on the film.”
“Thank you to Netflix and to all of you who support me and live with my successes as if they were yours. This nomination gives me hope for humanity.”
Cynthia Erivo: Best female actor in a motion picture – musical or comedy (Wicked)
Did you know that Cynthia attended an acting workshop co-conducted by Filipina actress Monique Wilson at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London in the early 2000s?
Cynthia told me in a 2021 video interview: “I remember Monique. She did a workshop with us because she was my teacher’s friend as well, Dee Cannon. Monique was lovely.”
“I loved hanging out together after the class that we did with her – myself, Dee, and maybe a couple of other students. We were just talking about the class and talking about what we needed. Monique was very wonderful. I remember that much.”
“I’ve never really forgotten her, actually. I remember she had a really lovely energy. Please tell her I said hello.”
Cynthia’s reaction to her fourth Globes nod: “Now that my feet are hovering off the ground, I cannot even come close to properly expressing what this moment means to me. Not just because of this individual nomination but because I get to watch as this project and my Wicked family is celebrated, too.”
“Being a part of this project has been a dream come true and playing Elphaba, a woman who speaks to everyone who has ever felt like they don’t belong and lets them know they have the power to defy gravity, has been the honor of a lifetime.”
“Jon (Chu) and Marc (Platt), thank you for entrusting me with her. Donna Langley, Peter Cramer and the entire Universal team, thank you for all of your love, care, collaboration, and hard work.”
“Jon, you and your wonderful dedication to this work, your love of cinema and storytelling, and care for each one of us on your set are why we’re all experiencing this now. Thank you.”
“Ariana Grande-Butera, my little sister, baby girl, I love you. I’m so proud of you. You’re so deserving of this moment and I’m glad I get to share the seconds and the moments and the days and the years with you.”
“This journey has been so unbelievably special. I believe it is the company we have kept together that has made it as special as it has been and will continue to be. May there be many more journeys to take both on and off screen. It is an honor to be able to hold your hand.”
“And to Amy (Adams), Karla, Mikey (Madison), Demi (Moore), and Zendaya – being named alongside you powerhouses is one of the truest honors of them all and I can’t wait to be in a room celebrating you all! Congratulations, ladies!”
Ariana Grande: Best female supporting actor in a motion picture (Wicked)
“I’m floored and honored to be recognized by members of the Golden Globes. It’s impossible to find my words but I am simply, so deeply grateful for this acknowledgment.”
“Thank you Marc Platt, Jon M. Chu, Donna Langley, and Universal for your trust, support, and belief in me. I’m so thankful to share this moment with you and to be on the other side of the rainbow now, celebrating the work of this remarkable cast, my dear sister Cynthia Erivo, and all of our Ozian family.”
Payal Kapadia: Best director – motion picture and best motion picture – non-English language (All We Imagine as Light)
Payal made history as the first Indian filmmaker to earn a Globes best director nod. Payal’s precedent-setting citation is especially significant because she almost gave up trying to make All We Imagine as Light.
The sisterhood drama also made Payal the first Indian to win the Cannes Film Festival’s Grand Prix last May.
![[Only IN Hollywood] Cannes climaxes with historic honors for films celebrating sisterhood](http://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2024/05/cannes-may-29-2024.jpg?fit=449%2C449)
“I am honored that our film is nominated in the best director and best motion picture – non-English language categories. My deepest gratitude to the Golden Globe voters for this recognition. This is a celebration of everyone who worked so passionately on the film.”
“From those who were there in the beginning when I was conceiving of the concept, through production with our amazing cast and crew, and now everyone who is bringing the film to audiences, like Sideshow and Janus Films, our US distributor.”
“This film is so close to my heart and to see it connect with so many people is beyond what I could have hoped for. I am thrilled that this story set in Mumbai, the city that I am from, about women grappling with the nuances of life and society is finding recognition across the world.”
“To those in the US, India, and the UK, All We Imagine as Light is still in theaters – please do watch it in a cinema near you!”
Selena Gomez: Best female supporting actor in a motion picture (Emilia Perez), Best female actor in a television series – drama (Only Murders in the Building)
Selena Gomez reacts to her #GoldenGlobes nomination for Best Supporting Actress pic.twitter.com/5eiSrTeiA8
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) December 9, 2024
“I am truly grateful and humbled to be nominated for two different projects that mean the world to me. This recognition inspires me and motivates me to work even harder. Couldn’t be prouder of my Emilia Pérez and Only Murders families!”
Timothée Chalamet: Best male actor in a motion picture – drama (A Complete Unknown)
In his latest performance that cements his reputation as the finest actor of his generation, Timothée — also memorable in Dune: Part Two early this year — captures the essence of a young Bob Dylan in the 1960s milieu of protest songs and the uproar over the rock icon’s shift from acoustic to electric guitar.
“What a tremendous honor to be included in this very talented group of actors this morning. A Complete Unknown was a five-year labor of love for me so it is very moving to receive this distinction.”
“While on the surface 1960s Greenwich Village would look to have little in common with Arrakis, it was the open-mindedness and groundbreaking culture of the 1960s in America that ultimately gave birth to these projects some 60 years later. Thank you.”
Edward Norton: Best male supporting actor in a motion picture (A Complete Unknown)
“I think in truth this is a compliment to our whole terrific ensemble of actors, which Timothee led so brilliantly. And if it helps connect more people to the inspiring life and spirit of Pete Seeger, even better.”
“And since for me Denzel Washington is the greatest actor of our time, it’s a thrill even to see my name adjacent to his for one morning! We all walk in his shadow.”
Fernanda Torres: Best female actor in a motion picture – drama (I’m Still Here)
Fernanda Torres’ nomination came exactly 25 years after her mother, Brazil’s revered actress Fernanda Montenegro, was cited in the same Globes category for Central Station. Coincidentally, both I’m Still Here and Central Station were directed by Walter Salles and nabbed best motion picture-non-English language nominations.
Central Station went on to win the Globes’ best foreign language film (the category’s previous name) honors. A sweet coda is that Montenegro plays the older version of Torres’ character in I’m Still Here.
“This role has been one of the most profound journeys of my career. I am honored to be recognized by the Golden Globe voters. I am so grateful to Walter Salles for his visionary direction and the trust he placed in me to bring Eunice and this story to life.”
“What makes this moment extra meaningful is the opportunity to have shared this experience with my mother, Fernanda Montenegro, who is also in the film. Her Golden Globe nomination in 1999 for Walter’s film, Central Station, has always been a source of inspiration for me and to now walk a similar path alongside her is very special.”
Kathy Bates: Best female actor in a television series – drama (Matlock)
Two-time Golden Globe winner Kathy Bates clinched her ninth nomination as Madeline Matlock in the well-received remake of Matlock.
“Thank you to the Golden Globes for this lovely honor. Our entire cast and crew worked hard to make a great show…not just me. I’m deeply grateful to CBS and Paramount for their fantastic support and most of all to Jennie Snyder-Urman for creating Matlock.”
Nickel Boys: Best motion picture – drama
Director RaMell Ross’ reaction: “Thank you to the Golden Globe journalists for recognizing this experiential, communal monument of a film we have made.”
“There is no film without Colson Whitehead’s masterpiece of a novel, The Nickel Boys. Thank you for giving us Elwood and Turner, and their unbreakable friendship. Thank you to our producers and Orion Pictures for the freedom they allowed our department heads, cast, and crew to tell this story just the way we did.”
“I am so grateful to each and every one of them, every cast and crew member. I can’t name them all so for the entire group, I will acknowledge Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who as Grandma Hattie, is the heart of our film.”
“The tragedy of the real-life Nickel Boys, the wards of The Dozier Academy, is not just one of mid-century Florida. The tragedy was the conspiracy of silence that buried their memories with their bodies. So, this honor from journalists from over 85 countries bearing witness to their humanity is very special.”
Squid Game: Best television series – drama
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk’s reaction: “I am immensely grateful that my show, yet to be released (the show was screened to the voters), has been nominated at such a prestigious awards ceremony. I poured my everything into this work, determined not to let the season one fans down.”
“I feel so excited and happy that it was the Golden Globes that was the first (one win from two nods for season one) to recognize my efforts. When you watch season two, you will notice that the social commentary you saw in the first season continues. I believe the show will provide more food for thought when you try to draw parallels to what’s happening in the current society.”
Anna Sawai: Best female actor in a television series – drama (Shogun)
“Being nominated for one of the most prestigious awards will never not feel strange. Thank you to everyone who watched Shogun and showed love for Mariko. This would not have happened without you.”
Hiroyuki Sanada: Best male actor in a television series – drama (Shogun)
“I am extremely honored to have been nominated for the prestigious Golden Globe Awards. Thank you very much to the Golden Globes for selecting me as a nominee. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the crew and cast who supported and encouraged this bold challenge that was Shogun, as well as the audiences around the world.”
Andrew Scott: Best male actor in a limited series, anthology series of a motion picture made for television (Ripley)
“It was a true honor to bring Patricia Highsmith’s iconic literary character to life in this new way, to spar with the glorious Dakota Fanning and to work with a cast and crew of truly extraordinary talent.”
“Thank you to the Golden Globes. I never dreamed murdering people on the Amalfi coast for a year would be recognized in this way. Grazie mille.”
The complete list of the 82nd Golden Globe nominees is here. – Rappler.com
Full disclosure: Ruben V. Nepales is a voting member of the Golden Globe Awards. He is the first Filipino member of the Globes.