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Golden Globes Attendees Wear Black In Red Carpet Protest Against Abuse And Inequality

Golden Globes Attendees Wear Black In Red Carpet Protest Against Abuse And Inequality

Amy Poehler, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, Emma Stone, Emma Watson brought their political plus-ones as part of their ‘Time’s Up’ campaign

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

This year's Golden Globes ceremony is sure to treat us to the usual show of glamour, glitz, with a large side of shameless self-promotion.

However, this year is unusual in that it comes with a serious message amidst all the showbiz silliness.

In recent times Tinseltown has been rocked by allegations of sexual crimes arising against prominent stars including Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein, as well as the ongoing debate about diversity and equality between people of different races and genders.

Eight prominent actors took to the red carpet ahead of the ceremony accompanied by activists to highlight these issues.

Meryl Streep and Ai-jen Poo.
PA

Laura Dern, Amy Poehler, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, Emma Stone, Emma Watson, Michelle Williams and Shailene Woodley brought their political plus-ones as part of their 'Time's Up' campaign.

The campaign aims to help victims of sexual harassment and to bring into focus the stories of survivors of abuse, taking attention away from the abusers.

Among the celebrities' guests was Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement which arose last year as a way of highlighting the scale of the problem of abuse against women.

Tarana Burke and Michelle Williams.
PA

Accompanying Emma Watson was Marai Larasi, the executive director of Imkaan, a British network of organisations that are working to end violence against black and minority women.

There was also some Tennis royalty on show as Billie Jean King attended as the guest of Emma Stone, who portrays her in Battle of the Sexes and is nominated for the Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy category.

The film also stars Steve Carrell and tells the true story of a match between King and Bobby Riggs in a time when female players were paid a fraction as much as their male counterparts.

Marai Larasi and Emma Watson.
PA

A joint statement released by the activists in advance of the show said: "We believe we are nearing a tipping point in transforming the culture of violence in the countries where we live and work.

"It's a moment to transform both the written and unwritten rules that devalue the lives and experiences of women."

In addition to their red carpet efforts, many of the actors attending also dressed in black to further draw attention to the cause.

Meryl Streep explained: "People are aware now of a power imbalance and it's something that leads to abuse.

"It led to abuse in our own industry and led to abuse in domestic work... in the military, in Congress... and we want to fix that.

"We feel emboldened to stand together in a thick black line."

However, not everyone followed suit as Torch star Blanca Blanco turned up in a bright red number.

Blanca Blanco.
Getty

With some women reportedly defying calls for a united front, a source told People: "There's some backlash to the wear-black mandate. Some feel women should celebrate their newfound power, strong voices and the future by wearing a wide variety of brighter shades.

"Instead of distracting from the real issue with a mandate to wear one particular color. There will be big important speeches, no doubt, and they will make a much better statement."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, US Entertainment