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| Golden Globe nominee Dwayne Johnson is nearly unrecognizable in "The Smashing Machine." |
OPINION
It seems the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (or whatever they call themselves these days) is sticking to their old script. We get a token nod here, a "snub" that screams louder than a Mariah Carey high note there. It's the same story, different year. The "edge" of inclusion is apparently still a cliff they are afraid to jump off.
Let's break down the hits and, more importantly, the misses.
Who Got In?
Lee Byung-hun managed to break through the white noise, snagging a well-deserved nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for his work in
No Other Choice. A win is a win, and we'll take it. But does one man make a movement?
Dwayne Johnson is a surprise nominee, but maybe this is Hollywood's way of showing an appreciation for his box office hits and popular appeal. He foregoes his usual cinematic wisecfracking persona and gets serious as martial artist Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, a gritty biopic that sidesteps cliché earning him a nomination as Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama.
Dwayne Johnson is a surprise nominee, but maybe this is Hollywood's way of showing an appreciation for his box office hits and popular appeal. He foregoes his usual cinematic wisecfracking persona and gets serious as martial artist Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, a gritty biopic that sidesteps cliché earning him a nomination as Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama.
We saw a couple of mentions in the animation and music categories:
KPop Demon Hunters earned a couple of nods: Best Animated Feature, and a song from that film, "Golden," the song from , got a Best Original Song nomination. Good for them, but these categories often feel like the "kids' table" of the awards circuit when we're talking major industry recognition.
Perhaps animated AANHPI characters are easier to accept for the Hollywood denizens than live actors.
The Snubs Heard 'Round Hollywood
Here's where the real story is. The one that makes you shake your head and wonder if these voters even watch the same movies as the rest of us. Jon M. Chu, the man behind the camera for the mega-hit Wicked: For Good, was left out of the Best Director race.
A massive blockbuster with critical buzz and strong performances from its leads (Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, who did get nominations) is apparently not "directing" enough for the Globes. The film itself was also shut out of the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category.
It's a snub that is, frankly, hard to defend and typical of the industry's blind spot for AANHPI creative talent at the highest level.
In addition, Hailee Steinfeld was left out of the supporting actress nominations for her role in Sinners, a film that received seven nominations.
In addition, Hailee Steinfeld was left out of the supporting actress nominations for her role in Sinners, a film that received seven nominations.
AANHPI representation this year is better than last year when there were no AANHPI actors nominees. There's definitely room for improvement.
Hollywood's systemic bias
As awards season rolls into high gear, Asian and Asian American actors and projects are comparatively few and far between, according to interviews with some of Hollywood's AANHPI creatives. Despite the box office and creative success of films like Crazy Rich Asians, Everything, Everywhere All At Once, and Minari on the big screen and Shogun and Beef for TV, Hollywood's apparent commitment to diversity appears to waning.
Simu Liu has been an outspoken voice regarding diversity and inclusion in the film and TV industries, using his platform as Marvel's first Asian superhero to advocate for change.
Simu Liu has been an outspoken voice regarding diversity and inclusion in the film and TV industries, using his platform as Marvel's first Asian superhero to advocate for change.
In social media posts in November this year, Liu described the current state of Asian representation as "f***ing appalling". He noted that while Asian-led films like Everything Everywhere All at Once, Crazy Rich Asians, and Shang-Chi have been financially successful, studios still seem to view Asian actors as a risk.
Liu points to a "deeply prejudiced system" where white male actors can star in multiple box-office flops and still land leading roles in tentpole films, whereas Asian actors face much higher scrutiny and fewer chances.
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| Director Chloe Zhao could be a multi-ward winner for the Golden Globes. |
Following are the AANHPI projects and actors nominated for the Golden Globes:
Best Motion Picture – Drama
HAMNET (directed by Chloé Zhao)
Best Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy
Best Performance By A Male Actor In A Motion Picture – Drama
Dwayne Johnson, The Smashing Machine
Best Performance By A Male Actor In A Motion Picture – Musical Or Comedy
Lee Byung-Hun, No Other Choice
Best Director – Motion Picture
Chloé Zhao, Hamnet
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Chloé Zhao, Hamnet
Best Motion Picture – Animated
Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language
Best Song – Motion Picture
“Golden,” KPop Demon Hunters
Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy or Television
Kumail Nanjiani, Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts
The 2026 Golden Globes ceremony will air live on CBS on Sunday, January 11, at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET, and will also stream on Paramount+ in the US. The show returns to the Beverly Hilton and will once again be hosted by comedian and actress Nikki Glaser.
The bottom line? The 2026 Golden Globes are, once again, a mixed bag. We're seeing slow, glacial progress in some areas, but the key power-player categories like directing and non-stereotypical roles remain elusive. It just goes to show, we still have a long way to go before the "edge" becomes the mainstream.
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.
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