With new owners, a change in the television channel, and a completely revamped jury, the Golden Globes aim to leave behind their tumultuous past riddled with scandals when they unveil their nominations on Monday, December 11, 2023.
These film and television awards, once closely followed just behind the Oscars, lost their luster due to accusations of racism and corruption. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), a diverse group of a hundred journalists covering the entertainment section of international media, faced criticism for being amateurish and lacking transparency.
Under new ownership by a group of private investors, including the American billionaire Todd Boehly, and the dissolution of the HFPA, reforms were implemented to regain lost prestige. However, new practices, such as paying voters for their participation and employing former members as writers for the organization’s website, raise ethical concerns and potential conflicts of interest.
Despite the criticisms, the new Golden Globes organization defends its reforms, arguing that a $75,000 salary for Hollywood-based voters and the inclusion of over 200 unpaid voters from around the world ensure greater impartiality.
The upcoming ceremony, scheduled for January 7 and broadcast on CBS, hopes to regain lost viewership, featuring prominent names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Emma Stone. Expectations for film nominations include blockbuster hits like “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie.”
All eyes will be on this new era of the Golden Globes, hoping that renewal and changes will lead to a triumphant return without controversies.