From Oprah Winfrey's powerful speech to the actresses dressed in black, the Golden Globes confronted Hollywood's post-Harvey Weinstein era with a ceremony dominated by themes of female empowerment.
Winfrey's speech, which stood out as the most memorable moment of the night, brought everyone to their feet (and some to tears)with rousing talk of equality, women's rights and the "me too" movement as she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award.
"I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon," said Winfrey. "And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say 'Me too' again."
Oprah Winfrey delievered a stunning speech while accepting the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award. Photo / AP
The Globes also featured a significant moment for Kiwis when the award for best original song went to This Is Me from The Greatest Showman - which is performed in the film by Broadway star Keala Settle, who is of Maori descent and has family in New Zealand.
The evening was dominated by references to the fallout from Hollywood's sexual harassment reckoning. Host Seth Meyers opened with a monologue that featured a scathing reference to disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
"Harvey Weinstein isn't here tonight," said Meyers. "He'll be back in 20 years to be booed during the in memoriam segment."
Golden Globes host Seth Meyers took swipes at disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein and actor Kevin Spacey in his opening monologue. Photo / AP
Will and Grace star Debra Messing confronted television channel E! - while live on E! - for their gender pay disparity, referencing Catt Sadler, the former host who quit in December because her male co-host earned twice as much as her.
"I was so shocked to hear that E! doesn't believe in paying their female co-host the same as their male co-host," said Messing. "I miss Catt Sadler, so we stand with her. And that's something that can change tomorrow." Actresses Eva Longoria and Laura Dern also mentioned the controversy during their interviews with E!
Debra Messing calls out E! while on E!: "I was so shocked to hear that E! doesn't believing in paying their female co-hosts the same as their male co-hosts. I miss Cat Sadler." pic.twitter.com/dnqoMkh7YY
Several stars invited women's rights activists to walk the red carpet with them as part of the new Time's Up movement, which aims to end sexual harassment across a number of industries not limited to entertainment. Dern arrived with farmworker advocate Monica Ramirez, Michelle Williams with "Me Too" founder Tarana Burke, and Meryl Streep with domestic worker advocate Ai-jen Poo.
'Me Too' founder Tarana Burke, left, and Michelle Williams arrive at the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards. Photo / AP
Natalie Portman, while presenting the award for best director, took a swipe at the Globes for excluding female directors, saying: "And here are the all-male nominees," which was received with whoops and cheers.
That award went to Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water, which also won best original score.
In the film categories, the big winner was Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which took home best drama motion picture, best actress in a drama for Frances McDormand, best actor in a drama for Sam Rockwell and best screenplay for writer/director Martin McDonagh.
Director Greta Gerwig accepts the award for best motion picture comedy or musical for Lady Bird. Photo / AP
Though not nominated for best director, Lady Bird director Greta Gerwig accepted the award for best motion picture, musical or comedy for her coming-of-age drama. Star Saoirse Ronan received best actress in a musical or comedy for her performance in Lady Bird.
Female-led shows took home the major awards in the television categories. The biggest TV winner of the night was the HBO miniseries Big Little Lies, which won best television limited series or movie, best actress for Nicole Kidman, best supporting actress for Laura Dern, and best supporting actor for Alexander Skarsgard.
Big Little Lies stars (from left) Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman, Zoe Kravitz, Reese Witherspoon and Shailene Woodley celebrate their Golden Globe wins. Photo / AP
The Handmaid's Tale took home best television series, drama, as well as best actress in a TV drama for Elisabeth Moss. Also with two awards was The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel for best television series, musical or comedy and best actress in a TV comedy for Rachel Brosnahan.
Meanwhile, This Is Us star Sterling K. Brown made history as the first black man to win best actor in a TV drama.
Elisabeth Moss accepting the award for best actress in a drama series for her role in The Handmaid's Tale. Photo / AP
