The Most Heartbreaking Moment From The Golden Globes

This year's Golden Globes were especially high energy, comedic, and fun, presumably to distract from the inescapable awkwardness that comes with hosting an award show during a global pandemic. But there was one moment in particular during the night that seemed to force audiences to stop and take a collective pause. The category of Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) is always one of the most exciting and coveted awards of the evening, highlighting one particular actor as a winner amongst a group of prestigious male counterparts.

But this year, audiences were waiting with bated breath more than ever before due to none other than Chadwick Boseman being up for the nomination. Boseman died in August of 2020 from cancer, yet still managed to snag a posthumous nomination for his role in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. And indeed, it was with tonight's declaration of Boseman's win for Best Actor that led to one of the most heartbreaking and emotional moments of the evening (via Pitchfork).

The win marks Chadwick Boseman's first Golden Globe nomination and win. In the Best Actor (Drama) category, he was up against Riz Ahmed for Sound of Metal, Anthony Hopkins for The Father, Gary Oldman for Mank, and Tahar Rahim for The Mauritanian (via Variety). Boseman's wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the award on her husband's behalf through a tearful and emotional tribute. While clearly emotional, she spoke confidently and assuredly, suggesting she didn't doubt for a second that her late husband would reign victorious.

"He would thank God," Ledward began. "He would thank his parents. He would thank his ancestors for their guidance and their sacrifice. He would thank his incredible team. He would thank his team on set. He would say something beautiful, something inspiring, something that would amplify that little voice inside us that tells you you can, that tells you to keep going, that calls you back to what you are meant to be doing at this moment in history" (via E!).

There wasn't a dry eye in sight while Ledward spoke for Boseman, amongst actors and audience members alike. One Twitter user thoughtfully wrote, "One last award to one incredible man. Wherever you are Chadwick, congratulations. And thank you for sharing your talents with the world. Rest well king."