One of the most buzzed-about topics ahead of the Golden Globes this year was not the nominees — but the meal.
Last week, the glitzy event said it would serve a vegan dinner, and Page Six has learned that eventual winner Joaquin Phoenix was — in large part — behind the move.
Famed animal-rights activist Moby told us the night before Sunday’s ceremony, “Joaquin and [his partner, actress] Rooney Mara sort of organized that. In the vegan mafia, Joaquin and I have known each other for decades — and I don’t know if I’m even allowed to say this — but I know that he was one of the people who helped arrange that.” He added, “I don’t know if it was predominantly him or with other people, but he had mentioned to me a while ago that he was working on it.”
A rep for the actor — who won for best actor in a motion picture drama for his role in “Joker” — confirmed the news, and Phoenix told us in a statement: “By acknowledging animal agriculture’s role in the degradation of our planet and boldly taking measures to do its part to reduce harm, the [Golden Globes organizers, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association] has shown great leadership.”
He thanked HFPA president Lorenzo Soria, “the brilliant chefs, and everyone working so hard to confront the environmental perils we face by supporting a plant-based 77th Golden Globes celebration. We look forward to this Sunday!”
Meanwhile, we’re told that HFPA officials pushed just as hard for the move.
In a statement, Soria said, “Over the holidays, we took time to reflect on the last year and began thinking about the new year and the decade ahead. The climate crisis is impossible to ignore, and after speaking with our peers, and friends in the community, we felt challenged to do better.” He said that by “serving a 100-percent plant-based meal, we’re hoping to raise awareness around small changes that can have a greater impact.”
For behind-the-scenes details on the Golden Globes, listen to this episode of Page Six’s podcast, “We Hear“: