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The Hollywood Reporter and Spotify opened Golden Globes weekend with a high-energy Nominees Night on Thursday, turning two soundstages at The Lot at Formosa into a celebration of this year’s film, TV and podcast contenders. The gathering underscored a new moment for audio awards while offering live music, red-carpet photos and a who’s-who guest list just days before Sunday’s ceremony.
Music, selfies and a clear signal for podcasts
The party unfolded across multiple areas on the lot, complete with a portrait studio, late-night food trucks and a candy station. Guests could pose for photos by a celebrity photographer, grab a bite from Pink’s Hot Dogs or Trejo’s Tacos, and sample special menu items created by Spotify to honor the platform’s first group of Golden Globe podcast nominees.
Spotify singled out each podcast on the inaugural list with a custom drink and appetizer. The nominated programs included:
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- Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard
- Call Her Daddy
- Good Hang With Amy Poehler
- The Mel Robbins Podcast
- SmartLess
- NPR’s Up First
Mel Robbins, whose show was among those recognized, told The Hollywood Reporter the Globes’ acknowledgement felt historic for the medium. Robbins noted the heavy production behind top podcasts, saying her team invests roughly 100 production hours into many episodes across a large annual slate — a point she used to underline why awards attention matters for podcast creators and listeners alike.
Standout performances and nominees onstage
The evening mixed live sets with DJ-driven late-night energy. Miles Caton — whose song “I Lied to You” from Sinners is up for best original song — delivered a high-energy performance, then gave way to a set from soul legend Chaka Khan that had the room dancing. John Legend followed with a more intimate piano segment, and Mark Ronson wrapped the night with a DJ set that kept guests moving into the early hours.
Ronson is also a nominee, credited for a song on Avatar: Fire and Ash, making his appearance both celebratory and promotional ahead of the Globes.
Who showed up
The guest list mixed established stars, rising actors and industry figures. Notable attendees included Amy Poehler, Natasha Lyonne, Quinta Brunson, Odessa A’zion, François Arnaud and Robbie G.K., who arrived together and were swamped by selfie requests. Other names seen at the event included Bill Simmons, Drew Starkey, Janelle James and a broad roster of entertainers and creators from film, television and music.
- Featured performers: Miles Caton, Chaka Khan, John Legend, Mark Ronson
- Podcast honorees: the six programs listed above
- Notable guests (selection): Amy Poehler, Quinta Brunson, Natasha Lyonne, François Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Bill Simmons
At several points the night felt like a preview of Sunday’s red carpet — a place to be seen, to celebrate peers and to push momentum for nominated projects. Actors posed for polaroids, bands and producers mingled near the DJ booth, and the party’s atmosphere was part awards-season ritual, part industry mixer.
Why this matters now
The Globes’ decision to include podcasts on the ballot and to spotlight them at high-profile events like this party signals growing mainstream recognition of the medium. For podcasters it creates exposure to new audiences, potential sponsorship gains and a stronger case for industry investment. For listeners, it raises the profile of shows that might otherwise circulate in niche circles.
With awards season just days away, the Nominees Night served two immediate functions: it amplified nominees’ visibility ahead of the ceremony and reiterated how audio and visual storytelling are being treated together on major awards stages.
Inside the logistics
The event occupied two soundstages and several activation areas, including a THR portrait studio on the red carpet. Food and beverage partners ranged from sushi to late-night burger trucks, keeping the guest flow lively from the cocktail hour through the DJ-fueled close.
In attendance from the organizing side were executives from both Spotify and The Hollywood Reporter, reflecting the industry partnership behind the evening. As a reminder of ownership ties, Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Productions is part of Penske Media Eldridge, the joint venture that includes Penske Media Corporation, which publishes The Hollywood Reporter.
As awards season builds, the event offered a snapshot of the industry’s current priorities: blending music and screen talent, broadening recognition to include podcasts, and staging high-visibility moments that can shape narratives heading into Sunday’s Golden Globes ceremony.
