At a Glance
- The 2026 Golden Globes featured a DJ spinning early-2000s hits for every winner’s walk-up.
- Stellan Skarsgård accepted his award to Usher’s 2004 track “Yeah!” while Macaulay Culkin entered to “Return of the Mack.”
- Social media dubbed the set list “bar mitzvah” energy, igniting real-time memes and debate.
- Why it matters: The music choices stole attention from the honors themselves, proving a soundtrack can dominate an awards show narrative.
A Beverly Hilton ballroom packed with Hollywood A-listers expected glamour on January 11, 2026-and got nostalgia instead. As trophies were handed out at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, a lone DJ cued a string of aughties radio staples that instantly hijacked the conversation online.
The Playlist That Stole the Show
Olivia M. Hartwell reported that every presenter and winner strode to the stage under the sonic shadow of hits last popular when flip phones still ruled. The selections included:
- “Yeah!” by Usher for Stellan Skarsgård, 74, winning Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Sentimental Value.
- “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison as Macaulay Culkin arrived to present.
- “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan for the Heated Rivalry ensemble.
- “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs during a key Adolescence celebration.
- “We Found Love” by Rihanna as cast and crew of One Battle After Another claimed Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy).
Each cue felt either wildly off-script or perfectly cheeky, depending on the viewer.
Instant Internet Roast
X users erupted the moment Skarsgård’s name was called and the first synth line of “Yeah!” blasted through the ballroom. One viewer joked that the ceremony had booked “the best Bar Mitzvah DJ money could buy.” Another quipped that the only rule appeared to be “every musical cue has to be an artist who performed at Jingle Ball.”
A separate post captured the confusion: “The person in the DJ booth was just blindly hitting s— because what do you mean Stellan Skarsgård went up to accept his award to Yeah! by Usher.”
Divided Reactions in Real Time
Not every reaction was negative. Rachel Leishman, a journalist, countered the critics: “The dj of the golden globes is having FUN.” Backstage chatter, relayed by sources to News Of Losangeles, indicated that some celebrities were dancing in their seats, amused by the throwback vibe.
Mystery Behind the Booth
Photos from the event show a laptop labeled “DJ Maxx,” but the Golden Globes press team did not immediately respond to News Of Losangeles‘s inquiry about the spinner’s identity. Whether “DJ Maxx” is a single person or a production team remains unconfirmed.
The Night’s Big Winners
Despite the soundtrack distraction, trophies still changed hands. Top honorees included:
- Timothée Chalamet and Teyana Taylor in acting categories.
- Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, and Amy Poehler for television and film roles.
- Hamnet and One Battle After Another for major cinematic awards.
- Adolescence and The Pitt for television excellence.
Host Nikki Glaser kept the telecast moving, but even her punchlines were competing with the playlist for audience attention.
Key Takeaways
- A single music supervisor turned the 2026 Golden Globes into a meme factory by reviving early-2000s chart-toppers.
- Social chatter now links Skarsgård’s victory not only to Sentimental Value but also to Usher’s 20-year-old anthem.
- The organization has yet to confirm the official DJ, leaving the door open for speculation and further jokes.
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