Teyana Taylor’s first encounter with Julia Roberts on the Golden Globes red carpet left the singer-actress in tears, and the moment quickly became one of the night’s most talked-about interactions.
At a Glance
- Taylor, 35, teared up when Roberts, 58, approached her on Jan. 11
- The meeting preceded Taylor’s first-career Golden Globe win for One Battle After Another
- Roberts later presented the film with the Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy trophy
- Why it matters: The exchange highlights the emotional impact of inter-generational star recognition during Hollywood’s premier awards season kickoff
Cameras captured Taylor wiping her eyes as Roberts greeted her, hugged her, and reportedly cleared a path through the crowded carpet so the two could speak privately. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight after the ceremony, Taylor described the exchange in vivid detail.
“She parted the sea for me,” Taylor said. “She told everybody to move out the way. Oh my God, it was scary. It looked so magical that when she came close to me, [I said,] ‘Don’t come another step, don’t come another step further. My eyes is getting watery.'”
The 35-year-old first-time nominee said she could not hold back her emotions once Roberts began offering encouragement. “She’s literally one of my heroes and what she poured into me literally had me crying… She poured so much life into me. I needed that.”
Taylor’s emotional state carried into the awards ceremony, where she won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson’s period comedy One Battle After Another. The film ultimately claimed the night’s final prize-Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy-an award presented by Roberts herself.
A Night of Firsts for Taylor
The Jan. 11 telecast marked several milestones for Taylor:
- First Golden Globe nomination and win
- First in-person meeting with Roberts
- First major film award for a performance critics have called a breakout turn
Writer-director Anderson also left with two trophies, securing honors for direction and screenplay. The wins position One Battle After Another as a potential contender throughout the remaining awards season.
In the press room after her victory, Taylor told News Of Losangeles she was still processing the moment. “I’m still gagging right now. I’m just like, oh, my God. I’m so happy. I’m filled with so much gratitude. I don’t take any of this for granted. I don’t take any of it at all.”
Roberts Brings Her Own Buzz
The Pretty Woman legend generated her own headlines when she received a standing ovation simply for stepping onstage to present the final award of the night. Roberts was separately nominated in the Best Actress category for her work in After the Hunt, though the trophy went to Hamnet star Jessie Buckley.
Roberts’ warm interaction with Taylor contrasted with the typically brisk red-carpet pace, where stars rarely pause long enough for extended conversation. Multiple videos show Roberts motioning for photographers and reporters to step aside so she could speak with Taylor uninterrupted.
What Comes Next
Following the Globes triumph, Taylor learned she will compete at the 2026 Actor Awards on March 1. Nominees in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role category include:
- Odessa A’zion, Marty Supreme
- Ariana Grande, Wicked: For Good
- Amy Madigan, Weapons
- Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners
Industry observers say Taylor’s momentum from the Globes could propel her toward additional trophies, though the March ceremony often diverges from earlier awards.
The Globes appearance also cements a turning-point year for Taylor, whose transition from music to film has accelerated since One Battle After Another premiered. Director Anderson has repeatedly praised her comedic timing and improvisational skills, attributes that helped the film secure its two major Globes.
Key Takeaways
- Taylor’s emotional meeting with Roberts underscored the influence veteran stars wield over rising talent
- The interaction preceded both women’s participation in the One Battle After Another victory lap
- Taylor now heads into the March 1 Actor Awards with heightened visibility and her first major film honor
- Roberts, though she lost her category, demonstrated enduring star power through the audience ovation and her mentoring moment with Taylor
