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Pop CultureGolden GlobesJan 12, 2026

The Most Main-Character Moments of the Golden Globes

A night of celebratory moments and questionable music choices.

By Precious Fondren
Wunmi Mosaku at the 2026 Golden Globes
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images

The Golden Globes may exist to hand out trophies, but every year they accidentally become a real-life group chat on the social feed. It’s less about the awards and more about the moments that immediately take over the timeline, like the surprising entrances, the facial expressions that say too much, the people commandeering the ceremony.

This roundup is really about the side quests that turned a fairly predictable awards show into something worth talking about. From loud, unmistakable scene-stealers to lowkey behaviors that quietly stole the spotlight, these were the Golden Globes’ true main-character moments of the night.

Olandria Carthen makes her Golden Globes debut

The reality-TV-to-red-carpet pipeline officially unlocked. Love Island Season 7's Olandria Carthen pulled up to the Golden Globes like she’s been doing this for years, stepping out in a floor-length emerald gown that screamed Old Hollywood made for the new internet age. What started as a Love Island stint has has morphed into something bigger than anyone thought it would. This appearance kind of made it undeniable. While actual movie stars played it safe, Carthen showed up looking like a breakout lead.

The women of Sinners looked like royalty

Wunmi Mosaku, Hailee Steinfeld, and Jayme Lawson looked the most breathtaking. No gimmicks, no trying too hard. Just three women moving in sync, dressed like a power that already knows the crown is theirs. Every look felt intentional, polished, and commanding. Hailee and Wunmi both showing off their pregnancies made the most elegant viral red carpet moments.

Literally anything Heated Rivalry-related

The Heated Rivalry breakout stars officially made their Golden Globes red carpet debut and immediately became the most in-demand meet-and-greet of the weekend. Everywhere they went, people wanted face time tbh… that’s more than fair. Between the easy chemistry, the chic styling, and one of the cutest presenter moments of the night, they played the room perfectly. To put it simply: My clients are eating, your honor.

The Golden Globes’ walk-up music supervisor had no strategy fr

The Golden Globes’ walk-up music felt like someone accidentally put their entire Spotify on shuffle and just let it rock. Usher played as Stellan Skarsgård walked up to get his statue. Snoop Dogg “Drop It Like It’s Hot” bumped while the rapper was onstage. “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan was the soundtrack to the Heated Rivalry boys doing the presenting job. A Katy Perry hit came out the speakers like it was 2010 again. The choices were confusing and completely unserious. No one ever fully decided if it was good or bad, but it was memorable, so that’s something.

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