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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Scarlett O'Toole

Inside Golden Globes' explosive past ahead of ceremony's controversial TV return

The Golden Globes are finally back after being surrounded by a number of controversies in recent years.

The award show will return to NBC this evening after the broadcaster decided not to televise last year's ceremony when The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the voting organisation behind the awards, was accused of lacking diversity.

Over the years, the Golden Globes have been highly anticipated by many celebrities, but this year's event will not be attended by some big Hollywood names - including Brendan Fraser.

The star has been nominated for an award for his comeback film The Whale, but confirmed he will be boycotting the ceremony after accusing former HFPA president Philip Berk of sexual assault.

Ahead of tonight's ceremony, we take a look back at some of the Golden Globes' most controversial moments over the years.

HFPA exposed as having no black members

Black-led projects, such as I May Destroy You, appeared to be snubbed in 2021 (BBC/Various Artists Ltd and FALKNA/Natalie Seery)

The HFPA is comprised of 87 international journalists who determine the nominees and winners of the Golden Globes each year.

In February 2021, a Los Angeles Times exposé revealed there were no black members within the organisation.

The report claimed that the HFPA had several members of colour, but failed to include any black members. It also alleged that the group has limited its membership due to concerns over competition.

Spike Lee had been expected to receive a nomination (Getty Images)

The damming accusations came shortly after the Golden Globes faced backlash for its 2021 nominees, in which many black-led projects appeared to be snubbed.

Spike Lee's war film Da 5 Bloods and hit HBO series I May Destroy You were critically acclaimed projects which failed to receive nominations.

In response to the lack of Black members, an HFPA representative told the Los Angeles Times that the group is aware of the issue and is "committed to addressing" it.

Backlash from former winners

Tom Cruise returned his previous awards (Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Scarlett Johansson slammed the HFPA for their behaviour (Getty Images)

Amid the backlash, the HFPA voted to approve "sweeping reforms" to its organisation.

Despite this, the Golden Globes continued to receive a negative press and several big name stars spoke out against the awards.

Scarlett Johansson urged the rest of Hollywood to end their involvement with the HFPA and hit out members of the organisation for their behaviour which she claims "bordered on sexual harassment".

"As an actor promoting a film, one is expected to participate in awards season by attending press conferences as well as awards shows.

Scarlett urged other actor's to cut ties with the HFPA (Getty Images)

"In the past, this has often meant facing sexist questions and remarks by certain HFPA members that bordered on sexual harassment," she said in a statement obtained by Deadline.

Tom Cruise returned all three of his Golden Glove trophies after NBC cancelled the broadcasting of last year's ceremony.

He had won his awards for best actor in Born on the Fourth of July (1990) and Jerry Maguire (1997). He won for best supporting actor in Magnolia (2000).

The star hasn't been nominated for an award at this year's ceremony, despite his latest film Top Gun: Maverick being nominated for best drama picture.

NBC announces it won't air the 2022 Golden Globes

NBC made the decision not to televise last year's ceremony (AFP via Getty Images)

On May 10 2021, NBC announced that it would not be airing the Golden Globes in 2022.

"We continue to believe that the HFPA is committed to meaningful reform.

"However, change of this magnitude takes time and work, and we feel strongly that the HFPA needs time to do it right. As such, NBC will not air the 2022 Golden Globes.

"Assuming the organization executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023," the network announced in a press release to The Hollywood Reporter.

Brendan Fraser won't attend the 2023 Golden Globes

Brendan Fraser will not be attending the ceremony (Jim Ruymen/UPI/REX/Shutterstock)

Brendan Fraser has received a lot of praise for his comeback role in The Whale and has even been nominated for a best actor Golden Globe award, but the actor won't be attending the ceremony.

The actor previously claimed that former HFPA president Philip Berk sexually assaulted him in the summer of 2003, while at a luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Phillip has denied the allegation.

Back in November, Brendan told GQ he has "history" with the HFPA.

"I have more history with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association."

He said he would skip the event "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."

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