During the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, comedian Wanda Sykes used her time on stage to directly reference ongoing criticism of fellow comic Ricky Gervais and his history of comments about transgender people.
Sykes, who was presenting the award for Best Stand-Up Comedy Performance on Television, addressed Gervais’ absence from the ceremony while noting that he was nominated for his Netflix special Mortality. Before announcing the winner, Sykes joked that if Gervais were to win, she would accept the award on his behalf.
She added that his acceptance speech would include thanking “God and the trans community,” prompting laughter and applause from the audience. When Gervais was announced as the winner, Sykes followed through on the remark, repeating the line while holding the trophy.
The moment quickly became one of the most discussed segments of the ceremony, circulating widely on social media and drawing attention from entertainment outlets. Many viewers interpreted the remark as a pointed reference to Gervais’ past jokes and public statements about transgender people, which have been criticized by LGBTQ advocates and civil rights groups.
In recent interviews leading up to the awards ceremony, Gervais defended his comedy and past material, stating that he believes comedians should be able to address controversial topics. He has argued that cultural standards change over time and that older jokes can be reinterpreted through more progressive lenses, comments that have continued to fuel debate around his work.
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Sykes’ remarks at the Golden Globes came amid broader discussions within the entertainment industry about accountability, representation, and how comedy intersects with marginalized communities. While her comments were delivered as humor, they also highlighted the growing expectation that mainstream platforms acknowledge the impact of public figures’ statements.
Reactions to the moment were mixed across social media and entertainment commentary. Some praised Sykes for using the stage to affirm transgender visibility, while others framed the exchange as part of an ongoing cultural clash over comedy and free expression.
As of publication, Gervais has not publicly responded to Sykes’ remarks. However, the moment underscored how high-profile award shows continue to serve as flashpoints for larger conversations about respect, inclusion, and the evolving boundaries of humor in popular culture.
