To show their support and solidarity with survivors of assault and discrimination, celebrities wore black to the Golden Globes. Aside from this visual display of unity, many also spoke up about these issues. Some shared their thoughts on the red carpet. While others got serious during their acceptance speeches. Below are some of their powerful and inspiring words.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey was awarded The Cecil B. DeMille award and she took that opportunity to address some pressing issues. During her acceptance speech, she mentioned how speaking the truth “is the most powerful tool we all have.” She also said, “For too long women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men. But their time is up.”
Debra Messing
According to Allure, Debra Messing shared why she wore black to the event. On the red carpet she said, “I am wearing black to thank and honor all the brave whistleblowers who came forward and shared their stories of harassment and assault and discrimination. I’m wearing black to stand in solidarity with my sisters all over the globe… We want diversity, we want intersectional gender parity, we want equal pay.”
Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown proved that age doesn’t matter when you’re fighting for what is right. She told Teen Vogue, “At the end of the day, I just do my job. I love my art. But I genuinely want to change the world.”
Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep also talked about how abuse has spread across all social classes and field of work. She spoke to Allure saying, “I think that people are aware now of a power imbalance. And it’s something that leads to abuse. It’s led to abuse in our own industry, and it’s led to abuse across the domestic workers’ field of work. It’s in the military. It’s in Congress. It’s everywhere. And we need to fix that.”
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman wasn’t afraid to throw some shade as she presented the award for best director. Co-presenter director Ron Howard started with, “We are honored to be here to present the award for best director.” To which Natalie replied, “And here are the all-male nominees.”
Laura Dern
Best supporting actress winner Laura Dern did not hesitate to bring up sexual harassment. She even encouraged the audience to take accountability for their actions, “Many of us were taught not to tattle. It was a culture of silencing and that was normalized. I urge all of us to not only support survivors and bystanders who are brave enough to tell their truth, bit to promote restorative justice.”
America Ferrera
While getting ready to walk the red carpet, America Ferrera took to Instagram to talk about #TimesUp and why she chose to wear black. “I believe that every woman, everywhere has a voice.”
Emma Watson
Emma Watson also opened up about sexual harassment in the entertainment industry by telling Teen Vogue, “My experiences are not unique, the experiences of my friends are not unique. This issue is so systematic, structural. The statistics around, even just in the United Kingdom, women between ages 18 and 24, just huge, huge, huge numbers say that they have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.”
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross looked stunning in a head to toe black outfit. Why she chose to wear black? “Wearing black on the Golden Globes red carpet is a physical and visual representation of solidarity and sisterhood, allowing us to be seen both as a collective and also as individuals in whatever way we see fit. I love that about it. It doesn’t feel silent, and it’s not just for actresses. It is a way to utilize your body to stand up for more than just yourself. People can participate at home, saying ‘I am a part of this,’ and time’s up on harassment, abuse, and exploitation.”
Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley also recognizes the opportunity we have to make a difference. “We have the opportunity to change the tides of history by protesting, speaking and acknowledging these issues from a place of love and not greed and that level of patriarchal oppression.”
Art by Lara Intong
Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and Viber
Related stories:
#TimesUp: This is Why Celebrities Wore Black to the Golden Globes
How Your Company Can Stop Sexual Harassment in its Tracks
Rose McGowan Isn’t Sold on the Black Gown Protest at the Golden Globes 2018
Finally, Here’s How You Can Silence the Cat Calls and Wolf Whistles