Golden Globes host Jerrod Carmichael shocked the crowd with a Scientology comment about Tom Cruise.
The comedian opened up about how in 2022 Cruise returned the Golden Globe trophies he had won in the past amid a boycott from the awards organizers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
The controversy followed a talk about the lack of diversity within the HFPA and a separate ethics scandal.
Carmichael returned to the stage midway through the ceremony and said, “Backstage I found these three Golden Globe Awards that Tom Cruise gave back. I think maybe we’ll take those three things and trade them for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige.
Miscavige is a member of the Church of Scientology and is married to its leader David Miscavige. She has not been seen in public since 2007. Cruise is a well-known Scientologist and has been a member for 30 years.
Carmichael made this comment just before introducing Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick co-stars Glen Powell and Jay Ellis on stage, a detail that did not go unnoticed by viewers.
Zach Heltzel wrote on Twitter, “Jerrod cracks a Shelly Miscavige joke before introducing the cast members of Top Gun…we love to see it,” while SlateCultureSam Aadams of added, “Lol Jerrod makes a Shelly Miscavige joke for complete silence before introducing two actors from TOP GUN MAVERICK.”
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Jerrod Carmichael cracked a Scientology joke about Tom Cruise at the Golden Globes
(NBC)
Meanwhile, @catherinebouris added, “OK Jerrod Carmichael gets kudos from me for mentioning Shelly Miscavige right before introducing two of the guys from Top Gun.”
Also during the ceremony, Carmichael made a shocking joke about the death of Whitney Houston, which the singer’s estate has since condemned as being in “bad taste.”
Elsewhere, Colin Farrell and Michelle Yeoh both declined to be played offstage by the ceremony producers while delivering their respective acceptance speeches.
Viewers also wondered if Elvis star Austin Butler’s voice was his, or if he was performing his acceptance speech in character as Elvis Presley.
Find the complete list of winners of the Golden Globes hereand all event updates, as they occurred, here.