Joaquin Phoenix takes home the Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama award for Joker, but unlike his peers saw his acceptance speech as an opportunity to give everyone a wake-up call for climate change.
On accepting the award Phoenix said, “To my fellow nominees, we all know there’s no (censored). It’s like this thing that is created to sell advertisements for the TV show. I’m inspired by you. … Some of you I’ve reached out to personally. Some, uh, I’m still a little too intimidated by, even though we share the same agent: Hi, Christian. You’re not here, but uh …” Phoenix also mentioned his girlfriend Rooney Mara as he got emotional and wiped away some tears.
“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t want to rock the boat, but the boat (censored),” he added. “It’s really nice that so many people have come up and sent their well wishes to Australia, but we have to do more than that, right? … It’s great to vote, but sometimes we have to take that responsibility on ourselves and make changes and sacrifices in our own lives and hope that we can do that. We don’t have to take private jets to Palm Springs for the awards sometimes or back, please.“
After exiting the mainstage, Phoenix had no idea about the backstage interview as he entered saying, “I didn’t know I was coming out here just now, they tricked me!” and laughed.
When asked about the decision of the Golden Globes to serve a vegan dinner this year he said, “It’s the first time I’ve ever eaten the food at this ceremony. I thought it was excellent. I was so moved by the decision to make tonight plant-based. It was such an important step.”
Phoenix continued, “Consuming animal products are no longer just a personal choice,” as his publicist signaled him to leave the stage, “It is having a drastic, massive consequence on the rest of the world.”
Phoenix’s speech that was watched live by millions was massively supported by fans.