The vast majority of guests in attendance of the Golden Globes last night, men and women included, wore black to the awards to raise awareness of the sexual harassment and abuse allegations that have emerged in relation to the industry over the past number of months.
The decision to wear black was also in line with the Time’s Up initiative founded by the women of Hollywood. However, there were three celebrities who chose not to wear black to the ceremony - German model Barbara Meier, actress Blanca Blanco and president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Meher Tatna.
Arriving @goldenglobes pic.twitter.com/gj6Vu72LX1
— Blanca Blanco (@blancablanco) January 7, 2018
A rare splash of color by @goldenglobes president Meher Tatna. Controversial but look at it this way: She's born in India where this red IS our basic black. pic.twitter.com/9Mfwm1Ubp8
— S. Mitra Kalita (@mitrakalita) January 8, 2018
Our pastel dress of dreams is being worn by Barbara Meier #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/GvEEg03ZgQ
— ES Lifestyle (@ESLifeandStyle) January 7, 2018
Speaking to Refinery29, Blanco explained why she chose to wear red, saying: "I love red. Wearing red does not means I am against #timesup movement. I applaud and stand by the courageous actresses that continue to [break] the circle of abuse through their actions and their style choice.
"It is one of many factors leading women to a safer place because of their status in the acting world. I am excited about the 'Time's UP' movement because true change is long overdue."
Tatna, meanwhile, wore the Time’s Up badge on her outfit, and explained that her reason for wearing red was cultural. She told Entertainment Tonight: "My mom and I planned this together a couple of months ago, it is a cultural thing.
"When you have a celebration, you don't wear black. So she would be appalled if I were to [have] worn black. And so this is, for my mom." She went on to say that she is "standing in solidarity with all these other women."
The three women have undergone criticism on social media, though others have come to their defence:
Golden Globes - everyone I saw wore black - men and women - except for these 3 - actress Blanca Blanco, model Barbara Meier, and actress Zenobia Shroff! Why why why? Were you living under a rock since June 2017?0 #DidNotGetTheMemo #IgnoranceIsDiss pic.twitter.com/iH0VOjNCUm
— Ymania BG 🇼🇸🇮🇱 (@ymania) January 8, 2018
Words like "skimpy", "slutty", "nasty" and implying someone is a "stripper" due to how much skin they're showing stem from the exact attitude towards women that caused the #TIMESUP movement. This kind of attack on her body and how she's chosen to present it is NOT ALRIGHT.
— Ellen Shockey (@EllenDShock) January 8, 2018
You are absolutely right, the issue is about indoctrination; controlling your way of thinking. You have nothing to be ashamed about. You look great in that red dress and no one can tell you otherwise.
— Ty (@TyDJCJones) January 8, 2018