The Golden Globes are supposed to be about trophies, speeches, and who wore what on the red carpet. But in 2026, the show delivered moments that captured the internet’s attention for reasons totally unrelated to wins or losses. Between candid reactions, unexpected interactions, and clips that went viral, these celebrities made headlines for moments fans just could not stop talking about.
Here’s a breakdown of who lit up social media after the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards and why people are still sharing the clips that got everyone buzzing.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Legendary Commercial Break
If there was one moment the internet could not get enough of, it was Leonardo DiCaprio’s playful antics during a commercial break. A clip captured him animatedly chatting with someone off camera, laughing, gesturing, and miming in a way fans hadn’t seen from him before. The video was widely shared by outlets and fans alike, with commentators praising how expressive and genuinely amused he looked, especially after a night full of formal moments.
Screenshot from goldenglobes via Instagram. Used under fair use for commentary.
Sites reporting on the clip noted it garnered millions of views and spawned memes almost instantly, and fans joked that DiCaprio had reinvented himself as the meme king of the evening.
Nick Jonas’ Honest Moment Outside the Ceremony
One of the most human viral moments came courtesy of Nick Jonas, who was seen briefly stepping outside the Golden Globes ceremony. A short video showed him taking a sip of water and looking around, and that clip quickly flooded social media with speculation.
Jonas later explained the moment himself online, saying it “hit him like a gut punch,” and confirmed that social anxiety played a role in why he stepped outside. Fans praised him for being candid about his feelings, especially in an environment where celebrities often feel pressure to appear unfazed and perfectly composed.
This wasn’t just a funny or awkward video; it became a conversation about mental health, vulnerability, and the pressures even famous people face when they share a stage with so many eyes on them.
Kylie Jenner’s Awkward Table Moment
Kylie Jenner. Screenshot from kyliejenner via Instagram. Used under fair use for commentary.
Not all viral buzz had to be emotional or adorable. Kylie Jenner made headlines when a slightly awkward moment at the table went viral. In a widely shared video, Odessa A’zion, co-star with Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme, greeted Chalamet warmly but walked right past Jenner without acknowledging her, sparking a wave of posts, memes, and social media reactions about the moment.
The clip quickly became a talking point online, especially after Chalamet went on to thank Jenner in his Best Actor speech, underlining that there was no real tension, just internet fascination.
Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus’ Blissful Reunion
One of the sweetest viral moments of the night was the reunion between Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus, two former Disney Channel stars who have both become giants in entertainment in their own right. Videos and photos of the pair laughing, posing together, and sharing a warm moment went viral almost immediately after the broadcast.
Social media users loved the throwback energy of the reunion, calling it nostalgic and heartfelt, a reminder of the childhoods of many millennials and Gen Z viewers who grew up watching Hannah Montana and Wizards of Waverly Place.
Glen Powell’s Bold Hair Debut
Though not a moment of performance or emotion, Glen Powell’s haircut made waves online. The actor debuted a noticeably blonder mullet on the red carpet, and fans quickly turned his new look into memes, GIFs, and spirited debates about style.
Powell’s appearance was so talked about that entertainment sites ran reaction pieces, and fashion forums buzzed about whether the look was on trend, retro, or just plain wild. The internet loves a bold choice, and this one definitely got people tagging their friends in reactions.
Owen Cooper’s Speech Resonates
Owen Cooper. Screenshot from owencoooper via Instagram. Used under fair use for commentary.
Another big moment that took off online was 16-year-old Owen Cooper’s acceptance speech after winning Best Supporting Actor for his role in Adolescence. Clips of his heartfelt and confident speech spread rapidly, with many viewers praising his sincerity and capturing the emotional resonance of a young actor thriving in a major awards environment.
Even though it came from an official award moment, the viral reaction wasn’t about the trophy itself. It was about the voice and perspective he brought to the stage that resonated far beyond the television broadcast and became clips shared everywhere, from TikTok to Instagram.
Duke McCloud’s Viral Hand Gesture
Duke McCloud. Screenshot from noradominick via X. Used under fair use for commentary.
One of the more unexpected viral flurries came from a six-year-old actor named Duke McCloud, who flashed a playful hand gesture on the red carpet that immediately lit up social feeds. Fans described his confident and adorable pose as one of the night’s most charming moments, and the GIFs of his gesture were reposted thousands of times.
Sometimes the viral moments have nothing to do with performances or formal awards. This was one of those: a small, spontaneous clip that reminded people why live events still captivate attention online.
Nikki Glaser’s Monologue Sparks a Meme Loop
Finally, even the host stole some of the internet spotlight.
Nikki Glaser. Screenshot from nikkiglaser via Instagram. Used under fair use for commentary.
Nikki Glaser’s sharp opening monologue quickly generated viral clips thanks to a mix of humor and talk show-style punches that sparked chatter on TikTok and X. Her candid comedic delivery turned lines from the monologue into memes and shareable moments as soon as they aired.
Comedy moment clips are some of the most repeatable parts of any award show in the social era, and Glaser’s set became no exception, with viewers quoting bits well into the next day.
The 2026 Golden Globes may have been packed with glitzy outfits and big names, but it was the unscripted, candid, and fun moments that defined how people talked about the event online. These are the clips that refused to fade quietly into the night.