Elton John wasn’t afraid to be self-deprecating when he joined Brandi Carlile to present on stage at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards on Sunday.
The 77-year-old music legend and the 43-year-old singer–songwriter joined forces to hand out the award for best original film score, which went to musicians and composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for their score to Challengers, which was heavy on pulsing electronic beats.
But before he shared his good news for the Nine Inch Nails members, Elton got the audience in stitches with a joke about his failing eyesight, which he revealed he was suffering from in July of last year.
‘There’s been a lot of stories going on around about my regressive eyesight, and I just wanted to reassure everybody that it’s not as bad as it seems,’ he began on a reassuring note at the ceremony, which is hosted by Emmy-nominated comedian Nikki Glaser at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills.
‘So, I’m so pleased to be here with my co-host,’ he continued, adding a pause for comedic effect, ‘Rihanna!’
Brandi kept her cool even as the audience laughed at the mistaken identification joke and began her speech after a short pause for applause.
Elton John, 77, had the audience in stitches at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills on Sunday when he poked fun at his own failing eyesight with co-presenter Brandi Carlile, 43
‘I just wanted to reassure everybody that it’s not as bad as it seems,’ he began reassuringly, before adding, ‘I’m so pleased to be here with my co-host… Rihanna’
She paid tribute to the ’emotional landscape’ of film scores, which create ‘a conversation with the audience through the music.’
At the end of their time on stage, the two singers revealed that Reznor and Ross’ acclaimed score for Challengers had won. Reznor, who went from the frontman of a popular industrial band to one of the most acclaimed film composers of all time, shared a hug with Elton, who has scored films including The Lion King.
Although it was their buzzier score of the year thanks to its dance rhythms, the duo also collaborated again with director Luca Guadagnino for the acclaimed score to Queer, his adaptation of the William S. Burroughs novella of the same name, which is led by former Bond star Daniel Craig.
Elton looked smart at the ceremony in aa black tuxedo that he paired with a black shirt, while Brandi was his polar opposite in a lovely cream-colored tux with a shawl lapel that was far longer than Elton’s.
She tastefully layered the look with a cream-colored waistcoat and capped it off with a tie-free white shirt.
Elton was joined back at his table by his longtime husband David Furnish, whom he began dating in 1993, before they got a civil partnership in 2005 and later tied the knot in 2014 in the UK after same-sex marriage became legal there.
David rocked a tie-free black tuxedo with notched lapels and a white shirt.
Brandi sat at the same table at the Candle In The Wind singer, along with her wife Catherine Shepherd, whom she married in 2012.
GOLDEN GLOBES 2025 WINNERS: AT A GLANCE
FILM
Best Film – Drama: The Brutalist
Best Film – Musical or Comedy: Emilia Pérez
Best Non-English Language Film: Emilia Pérez
Best Actress – Musical or Comedy: Demi Moore, The Substance
Best Supporting Actress – Musical or Comedy: Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez
Best Actor – Drama: Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
Best Actress – Drama: Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here
Cinematic And Box Office Achievement: Wicked
Best Actor – Musical or Comedy: Sebastian Stan, A Different Man
Best supporting Actor – Musical or Comedy: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Emilia Perez led the way on the film side with four awards including Best Film – Musical or Comedy
Elton and Brandi presented best original film score to Nine Inch Nails masterminds Atticus Ross (L) and Trent Reznor (R) for their score to Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers
Reznor, who went from the frontman of a popular industrial band to one of the most acclaimed film composers of all time, shared a hug with Elton, who has scored films including The Lion King
Elton was joined by his longtime husband David Furnish, while Brandi sat with them and her wife Catherine Shepherd
Brandi gave Elton a sweet peck on the cheek during some downtime
Elton (pictured here with Glenn Close) revealed he had lost sight in his right eye during a July 2024 Good Morning America interview. The setback was caused by an infection he contracted in France
Catherine favored an all-black suit that contrasted her wife’s tux nicely.
Elton first revealed major negative developments regarding his eyesight during an interview on Good Morning America in July of 2024.
He announced that he had lost sight in his right eye due to an infection he contracted while in France.
‘It’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see,’ he admitted. ‘And my left eye is not the greatest. So there’s hope and encouragement that it will be OK, but I’m kind of stuck at the moment.’
Although he had hope that his vision might return, he shared that it made recording new music nearly impossible.
‘Because I can do something like this, but going into the studio and recording I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start,’ he explained. ‘We’re taking an initiative to try and get it better, but at the moment that’s really what we’re concentrating on.’
Despite the setback, Elton’s humorous appearance at the Globes proved his eyesight isn’t stopping him from delighting his fans.
Zoe Saldaña led Emilia Perez to top honors, while Demi Moore became a first-time winner at 62 at the Golden Globes 2025 on Sunday night, where Shōgun and The Brutalist were also big winners.
Zoe Saldaña led Emilia Perez to top honors while Demi Moore became a first time winner at 62 at the Golden Globes 2025 on Sunday night where Shōgun and The Brutalist were also big winners
When it came to the film drama categories it was The Brutalist which earned top prize Best Film – Drama and a Best Actor – Drama gong for Adrien Brody
When it came to television, it was Shōgun which swept the drama categories including Best TV Series and individual honors for Anna Sawai (second from left), Hiroyuki Sanada (second from right), and Tadanobu Asano (right)
However, the most shocking moment certainly came when Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres triumphed over A-listers Angelina Jolie , Nicole Kidman, and Pamela Anderson in the Best Actress – Drama for I’m Still Here
Zoe, 46, earned Best Supporting Actress — Musical or Comedy early in the night, before the Netflix film earned the top prize, Best Film — Musical or Comedy on a night which featured a star-studded red carpet that took place at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.
Demi sent a powerful message during her emotional acceptance speech as she earned Best Actress in Musical or Comedy for The Substance.
When it came to the film drama categories, it was The Brutalist which earned top prize Best Film — Drama, as well as a Best Actor — Drama gong for Adrien Brody.
In television, it was Shōgun that swept the drama categories, including Best TV Series and individual honors for Anna Sawai, Hiroyuki Sanada and Tadanobu Asano.
However, the most shocking moment certainly came when Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres triumphed over A-listers Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, and Pamela Anderson in the Best Actress — Drama category for I’m Still Here.
Emilia Perez earned the most awards of the night with four but truly had it’s crowning moment at the end of the night film earned Best Film – Musical or Comedy over Anora, Challengers, A Real Pain, The Substance, and Wicked.
Emilia Perez actress Karla Sofía Gascón — who is a trans woman — gave a powerful speech to conclude the event as she said: ‘Thank you so much. I chose these colors tonight because I have a message. The light always wins over darkness.
‘I have a lot of things to say to you, because you can maybe put us in jail, you can beat us up, but you never can take away our soul, our existence, our identity,’ she said. ‘I want to say to you, raise your voice. And say, I am who I am. Not who you are. Thank you so much.’
Emilia Perez had it’s crowning moment at the end of the night as the film earned Best Film – Musical or Comedy over Anora, Challengers, A Real Pain, The Substance, and Wicked as star Karla Sofia Gascon can be seen accepting the honor
Leading actress Karla Sofia Gascon – who is a trans woman – gave a powerful speech to conclude the event as she said: ‘Thank you so much. I chose these colors tonight because I have a message. The light always wins over darkness
The 2025 Golden Globe Awards kicked off in fine form as Zoe Saldaña upset Ariana Grande to take home the first award of the night
In Emilia Perez, Zoe (pictured left) plays Rita Mora Castro who is a lawyer as the film is centered around four remarkable women pursuing their individual happiness in Mexico; she is shown alongside Karla Sofia Gascon
Demi Moore was left shocked as she earned Best Actress in Musical or Comedy for The Substance at the Golden Globes 2025
In Emilia Perez, Zoe plays Rita Mora Castro, who is a lawyer, as the film is centered around four remarkable women pursuing their individual happiness in Mexico.
Cartel leader Emilia (played by Gascón) enlists Rita, an unappreciated lawyer, to help fake her death so that she can finally live authentically as her true self.
The 2025 Golden Globe Awards kicked off in fine form as Zoe upset Ariana Grande to take home the first award of the night.
The 46-year-old actress was emotional as she earned Best Supporting Female Actor for her work in Emilia Perez.
She triumphed over an impressive field that included the aforementioned Ariana Grande for Wicked, in addition to Selena Gomez for Emilia Pérez, Felicity Jones for The Brutalist, Margaret Qualley for The Substance and Isabella Rossellini for Conclave.
Meanwhile, Demi was left shocked as she won Best Actress in Musical or Comedy for The Substance.
The 62-year-old star gave a riveting speech about the journey it took her to get to this crowning achievement.
She won over an impressive field including: Amy Adams for Nightbitch, Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Karla Sofía Gascón for Emilia Pérez, Mikey Madison for Anora and Zendaya for Challengers.
Demi began her acceptance speech by saying: ‘Oh, wow! I really wasn’t expecting that. I’m just in shock right now. I’ve been doing this a long time, like, over 45 years, and this is the first time I’ve ever won anything as an actor. And I am just so humbled and so grateful.
’30 years ago I had a producer tell me that I was a popcorn actress, and at that time I made that mean that this is not something I was allowed to have. That I could do movies that were successful and made a lot of money, but that I couldn’t be acknowledged, and I bought in and I believed that. That corroded me over time, to the point where I thought a few years ago that maybe this was it, maybe I was complete, maybe I had done what I was supposed to do.’
GOLDEN GLOBES 2025 WINNERS
FILM
Best Film – Drama
The Brutalist – WINNER
A Complete Unknown
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Nickel Boys
September 5
Best Film – Musical or Comedy
Anora
Challengers
Emilia Pérez – WINNER
A Real Pain
The Substance
Wicked
Emilia Perez earned top honor Best Film – Musical or Comedy
Best Non-English Language Film
All We Imagine as Light
Emilia Pérez – WINNER
The Girl with the Needle
I’m Still Here
The Seed of the Sacred Fig
Vermiglio
Best Animated Film
Flow – WINNER
Inside Out 2
Memoir of a Snail
Moana 2
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
The Wild Robot
Cinematic And Box Office Achievement
Alien: Romulus
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Deadpool & Wolverine
Gladiator II
Inside Out 2
Twisters
Wicked – WINNER
The Wild Robot
Best Actress – Drama
Pamela Anderson, The Last Showgirl
Angelina Jolie, Maria
Nicole Kidman, Babygirl
Tilda Swinton, The Room Next Door
Fernanda Torres, I’m Still Here – WINNER
Kate Winslet, Lee
Best Actor – Drama
Adrien Brody, The Brutalist – WINNER
Timothée Chalamet, A Complete Unknown
Daniel Craig, Queer
Colman Domingo, Sing Sing
Ralph Fiennes, Conclave
Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice
Adrien Brody was recognized in the Best Actor – Drama category for The Brutalist
Best Actress – Musical or Comedy
Amy Adams, Nightbitch
Cynthia Erivo, Wicked
Karla Sofía Gascón, Emilia Pérez
Mikey Madison, Anora
Demi Moore, The Substance – WINNER
Zendaya, Challengers
Best Actor – Musical or Comedy
Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain
Hugh Grant, Heretic
Gabriel LaBelle, Saturday Night
Jesse Plemons, Kinds of Kindness
Glen Powell, Hit Man
Sebastian Stan, A Different Man – WINNER
Best Supporting Actress – Musical or Comedy
Ariana Grande, Wicked
Selena Gomez, Emilia Pérez
Felicity Jones, The Brutalist
Margaret Qualley, The Substance
Isabella Rossellini, Conclave
Zoe Saldaña, Emilia Pérez – WINNER
Zoe Saldana was crowned Best Supporting Actress – Musical or Comedy for Emilia Perez
Best supporting Actor – Musical or Comedy
Yura Borisov, Anora
Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain – WINNER
Edward Norton, A Complete Unknown
Guy Pearce, The Brutalist
Jeremy Strong, The Apprentice
Denzel Washington, Gladiator II
Best director
Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez
Sean Baker, Anora
Edward Berger, Conclave
Brady Corbet, The Brutalist – WINNER
Coralie Fargeat, The Substance
Payal Kapadia, All We Imagine as Light
Best screenplay
Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez
Sean Baker, Anora
Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, The Brutalist
Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain
Coralie Fargeat, The Substance
Peter Straughan, Conclave – WINNER
Best Original Song
Beautiful That Way, The Last Showgirl
Compress/Repress, Challengers
El Mal, Emilia Pérez – WINNER
Forbidden Road, Better Man
Kiss The Sky, The Wild Robot
Mi Camino, Emilia Pérez
Best Original Film Score
Conclave
The Brutalist
The Wild Robot
Emilia Pérez
Challengers – WINNER
Dune: Part Two
TV
Best TV Series – Drama
The Diplomat
Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Shōgun – WINNER
Squid Game
Slow Horses
The Day of the Jackal
Shōgun was the most honored television series with four including coveted Best TV Series – Drama
Best TV Series – Comedy or Musical
Abbott Elementary
The Bear
The Gentlemen
Hacks – WINNER
Nobody Wants This
Only Murders in the Building
Best Limited TV Series
Baby Reindeer – WINNER
Disclaimer
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
The Penguin
Ripley
True Detective: Night Country
Best TV Actress – Drama
Kathy Bates, Matlock
Emma D’Arcy, House of the Dragon
Maya Erskine, Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Keira Knightley, Black Doves
Anna Sawai, Shōgun – WINNER
Keri Russell, The Diplomat
Best TV Actor – Drama
Donald Glover, Mr. and Mrs. Smith
Jake Gyllenhaal, Presumed Innocent
Gary Oldman, Slow Horses
Eddie Redmayne, The Day of the Jackal
Hiroyuki Sanada, Shōgun – WINNER
Billy Bob Thornton, Landman (Paramount+)
Best TV Actress – Comedy or Musical
Kristen Bell, Nobody Wants This
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Ayo Edebiri, The Bear
Selena Gomez, Only Murders in the Building
Kathryn Hahn, Agatha All Along
Jean Smart, Hacks – WINNER
Jean Smart earned Best TV Actress – Comedy or Musical for Hacks
Best TV Actor – Comedy or Musical
Adam Brody, Nobody Wants This
Ted Danson, A Man on the Inside
Steve Martin, Only Murders in the Building
Jason Segel, Shrinking
Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building
Jeremy Allen White, The Bear – WINNER
Best TV Actress – Limited Series
Cate Blanchett, Disclaimer
Jodie Foster, True Detective: Night Country – WINNER
Cristin Milioti, The Penguin
Sofía Vergara, Griselda
Naomi Watts, Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
Kate Winslet, The Regime
Best TV Actor – Limited Series
Colin Farrell, The Penguin – WINNER
Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer
Kevin Kline, Disclaimer
Cooper Koch, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Ewan McGregor, A Gentleman in Moscow
Andrew Scott, Ripley
Best Supporting Actress – TV
Liza Colón-Zayas, The Bear
Hannah Einbinder, Hacks
Dakota Fanning, Ripley
Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer – WINNER
Allison Janney, The Diplomat
Kali Reis, True Detective: Night Country
Jessica Gunning took home Best Supporting Actress – TV for her incredible work on Baby Reindeer
Best Supporting Actor – TV
Tadanobu Asano, Shōgun – WINNER
Javier Bardem, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Harrison Ford, Shrinking
Jack Lowden, Slow Horses
Diego Luna, La Maquina
Ebon Moss-Bachrach, The Bear
Best TV Stand-Up Comedy Performance
Jamie Foxx, What Had Happened Was
Nikki Glaser, Someday You’ll Die
Seth Meyers, Dad Man Walking
Adam Sandler, Love You
Ali Wong, Single Lady – WINNER
Ramy Youssef, More Feelings
Ali Wong beat out Nikki Glaser for Best TV Stand-Up Comedy Performance
