Hollywood celebrities will reportedly receive increased armed protection at the Golden Globes ceremony in Beverly Hills this Sunday. This heightened security follows last week’s incidents, including a terrorist attack in New Orleans and an explosion involving a Tesla Cybertruck in Las Vegas.
Organizers are enhancing safety measures by involving additional personnel from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, FBI, and Homeland Security, according to Deadline. Furthermore, Inside Edition reports that snipers will be stationed near the Beverly Hilton hotel, marking a greater armed presence than usual.
Snipers have traditionally been deployed at Hollywood awards shows for decades, but the scale of this year’s security measures appears unprecedented. The Beverly Hills Police Department will also increase its presence, with a spokesperson telling Deadline: “Increased security measures, including staffing of officers, professional staff, and security contractors, will be in place during this weekend’s Golden Globes.”
Celebrity attendees will face stricter security checks. According to an unnamed police source cited by Deadline, vehicles may undergo thorough searches regardless of who is inside if deemed necessary.
Traffic around the Beverly Hilton is expected to be heavily impacted, with the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard closed to most vehicles starting Sunday morning. Nearby streets will also be shut down to accommodate limousines and SUVs transporting stars to the venue.
The 82nd Golden Globes, airing live on CBS, is set to begin Sunday evening at the Beverly Hilton. The event will feature numerous Hollywood stars, including Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Kidman, Kate Winslet, Timothée Chalamet, and Selena Gomez.
This year’s show highlights themes of gender identity in frontrunning films Emilia Perez and Conclave. The latter, which reveals a plot twist involving an intersex pope, has drawn criticism for perceived anti-Catholic sentiment.
Despite its star power, the Golden Globes have struggled with declining ratings in recent years. Last year’s broadcast attracted only 9.4 million viewers, a significant drop from the 18.4 million viewers in 2020. Organizers are banking on host Nikki Glaser’s comedic style to revitalize the show.
