Los Angeles, California — The future of the Golden Globes hangs in the balance as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) seeks to reclaim its identity following significant changes initiated two years ago. Once a prominent body recognizing excellence in film and television, the HFPA underwent a major transformation in 2023, largely precipitated by extensive criticism over its practices and lack of diversity.
For decades, the HFPA consisted of journalists from non-American publications based in Los Angeles, but its operations were thrown into turmoil amid revelations stemming from a 2021 exposé. Facing scrutiny over ethics and finances, the organization lost its television broadcasting contract, which was vital for its revenue. To offset these challenges, the HFPA sold the Golden Globes to Dick Clark Productions and Eldridge, signaling an end to its traditional structure.
As part of this transaction, the HFPA was dissolved, and many of its members transitioned to a newly formed for-profit organization, with Helen Hoehne appointed as its president. The plan also introduced a more diverse membership by inviting journalists from around the globe, aiming to restore confidence within the industry.
However, in the two years since the sale, the number of former HFPA members, referred to as “legacy voters,” has dwindled to about 60. Several have departed due to expulsions or have passed away. The remaining members have expressed dissatisfaction, particularly after Hoehne announced that the annual payments previously allotted to them would be discontinued, citing concerns about potential voting bias.
On Monday, a faction of the legacy voters convened to re-establish the HFPA, asserting that the 2023 agreement had been compromised by the failure of DCP and Eldridge to uphold certain promises, including financial allowances and voting privileges. They are prompting the California Attorney General’s office to intervene, escalating tensions regarding the organization’s future.
Notably, some key figures who had originally worked to reform the HFPA have stepped away from leadership roles, citing concerns over the legality and merit of the recent efforts to reverse the dissolution. Dr. Joanna Dodd Massey, one of the appointed non-member directors, highlighted the binding nature of the sale agreement and questioned the motives driving the current movement to revive the HFPA.
The situation remains precarious as the California Attorney General’s office has indicated that it only holds authority to review aspects related to the transfer of the HFPA’s charitable trust, which is part of the sale agreement. Individual complaints from legacy voters have stalled the process, leading to uncertainty about the fate of the Golden Globes.
The pressing question is what will happen if the revived HFPA persuades the Attorney General to block the agreement. Would that affect only the charitable trust portion or invalidate the entire transaction? The implications could be significant, potentially risking the next Golden Globes ceremony set for January 2026, which has already generated buzz within the industry.
As discussions continue, the possibility of a financial settlement looms, which might alleviate grievances among the legacy voters and deter state intervention. Without resolution, the fate of the Golden Globes, along with the legacy of the HFPA itself, remains uncertain.