Wicked stars scoop Golden Globe award nominations

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, two prominent actresses, have received nominations for the prestigious Golden Globe awards, marking the beginning of the Hollywood awards season. Ariana Grande is nominated for best supporting actress for her role in the film Wicked, while Cynthia Erivo is recognized as a contender for best actress in a comedy or musical for her portrayal of Elphaba, the lead character in the same film. The two actresses were seen together at the Australian premiere of Wicked, both adorned with stunning jewelry and exuding excitement for their nominations. The Golden Globes are significant as they are the first major awards of the season, often serving as a precursor to the Oscars, which will take place later in the year. This year, the nominations also include a host of other well-known actors such as Angelina Jolie, Hugh Grant, and Selena Gomez, all vying for recognition in various categories. Despite facing controversies in recent years, the Golden Globes continue to hold a vital place in the film industry, celebrating outstanding achievements in both film and television. Leading the nominations this year is the Netflix musical Emilia Pérez, which has garnered a total of ten nominations, including one for Selena Gomez. The film tells the story of a Mexican drug lord who undergoes a gender transformation. Other notable films in the running include The Brutalist, which focuses on a Hungarian architect attempting to rebuild his life in the United States after World War Two, and Conclave, which revolves around a group of scheming cardinals who gather to elect a new Pope. The top films nominated this year are Emilia Pérez with ten nominations, The Brutalist with seven, and Conclave with six. Unlike the Oscars, the Golden Globes also honor television shows, with The Bear, Only Murders in the Building, Shogun, and Baby Reindeer being the main contenders in those categories. In the best actress in a drama category, Angelina Jolie is considered a frontrunner for her role as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in the film Maria. She faces competition from Nicole Kidman, who is nominated for her performance in Babygirl, and Pamela Anderson, who portrays a Las Vegas showgirl in The Last Showgirl. British actresses Kate Winslet and Tilda Swinton are also nominated in this category, with Winslet receiving two nominations this year—one for her film role and another for her work in the TV series The Regime. In the best actor in a drama category, Adrien Brody from The Brutalist and Ralph Fiennes from Conclave are seen as the main contenders. Sebastian Stan is nominated for his portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice, while Timothee Chalamet is recognized for his role as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. Other nominees include Daniel Craig and Colman Domingo, both of whom are also in the running for their performances. The Golden Globes have a unique format, splitting most categories into two: one for dramas and another for musicals or comedies. Newcomer Mikey Madison is a strong contender for best actress in a musical or comedy for her role in Anora, where she plays a New York stripper. She will compete against Demi Moore, who has received acclaim for her performance in The Substance, a film about a Hollywood star trying to regain her youth. This marks Moore's first nomination in 28 years. The film Wicked, based on the beloved Broadway musical, has received four nominations in total. It tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz and has been a commercial success, grossing over $455 million at the box office. Ariana Grande will face off against fellow singer and actress Selena Gomez, who is nominated for her role in Emilia Pérez and for her work in the TV comedy Only Murders in the Building. Many British talents are also recognized this year, including Hugh Grant, who has received his seventh Golden Globe nomination for the horror film Heretic. Felicity Jones is nominated for the second time, a decade after her first nomination for The Theory of Everything. Eddie Redmayne is also hoping for a nomination for his role in the TV show The Day of the Jackal, competing against Gary Oldman for Slow Horses. Keira Knightley is nominated for her performance in the spy drama Black Doves, while Emma D'Arcy is recognized for her work in House of the Dragon. Richard Gadd is a strong contender for best male actor in a limited series for Baby Reindeer, competing against Ewan McGregor. Jessica Gunning is also nominated for her role in Baby Reindeer. Unfortunately, Marianne Jean-Baptiste did not receive a nomination for her role in the film Hard Truths, despite being expected to be recognized. The winners of the Golden Globe awards will be announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on January 5, followed by the Oscars on March 2. The host of the Golden Globes, Nikki Glaser, has also been nominated for her stand-up comedy special. The organization that previously managed the Golden Globes faced criticism in 2021 for issues such as corruption and a lack of diversity. In response, they have made changes to their membership and rules to improve the situation and ensure a more inclusive and fair process.