Phoebe Waller-Bridge to auction Golden Globes outfit for Australian bushfire relief as stars praise firefighters

Phoebe Waller-Bridge announced that she will be auctioning her Golden Globes outfit and donating the profits to the Australian bushfire relief effort. 

Sunday night’s ceremony saw numerous stars use their time on stage to shine a light on the ongoing crisis, paying tribute to those who have lost their lives and commending firefighters working to contain the blazes.  

More than 20 people have been killed while there are also claims nearly 500 million birds, reptiles and mammals have died in the blazes.

Speaking backstage after winning two awards for Fleabag, Waller-Bridge told reporters about her plan, calling the trouser suit “the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever worn.”

The first mention of the fires came when Russell Crowe won the Best Actor in a Limited Series prize for The Loudest Voice. 

Jennifer Aniston, who was presenting the accolade, explained that Crowe was not at the ceremony as he was “at home in Australia, protecting his family from the devastating bushfires.” 

He had sent a message though, saying: “Make no mistake, the tragedy unfolding in Australia is climate change-based. We need to act based on science, move our global workforce to renewable energy and respect our planet for the unique and amazing place it is.

“That way, we all have a future. Thank you.”

Fellow Aussie actor Cate Blanchett praised firefighters, saying the fires are a “climate disaster.”

“I just want to amplify that by saying, I wanted to do a special call out to the volunteer firefighters who have been at the centre of battling the climate disaster that is facing Australia,” she added. “When one country faces a climate disaster, we all face a climate disaster.”

Nicole Kidman, who reportedly broke down in tears on the red carpet before the ceremony, thanked everyone for their “incredible support” as her native country was “under enormous stress and duress” with the fires.

The appeals came as rain offered a little relief to embattled communities in New South Wales battling the bushfires on Monday.

After winning for The Act, Patricia Arquette echoed their statements – and urged young people to vote. 

“I am so grateful to be here and celebrate this,” she said. “Also I know tonight, January 5, 2020, we’re not going to look back on this night in the history books.

“We will see a country on the brink of war, the United States of America, a president tweeting out a threat of 52 bombs including cultural sites.

“Young people risking their lives travelling across the world, people not knowing that bombs are going to drop on their kids’ heads and the continent of Australia on fire.”

Arquette added: “I love my kids so much. I beg of us all to give them a better world.”

Joaquin Phoenix was one of the evening’s final winners, taking home the Best Actor in a Drama prize for his title role in Joker, and gave a rallying cry for more action on climate change. 

He began by expressing his appreciation for the fact guests at the event were served a vegan meal, saying: “Thank you for recognising the link between animal agriculture and climate change, it was a bold move making tonight plant-based and sends a powerful message.”

He added: “Contrary to popular belief, I don’t want to rock the boat, but the boat is f***ed.

“It’s really nice that so many people have come up and sent their well wishes to Australia but we have to do more than that.”

He continued: “It’s such a beautiful gesture and I have not always been a virtuous man. I’m learning so much and so many in this room have given me multiple opportunities to get it right and I’m deeply grateful, but hopefully together we can get unified and make some changes.

“It’s great to vote but sometimes we have to take responsibility and make changes in our own life.

“We don’t have to take private jets to Palm Springs to the awards sometimes.”

A raft of British stars were triumphant at the 77th Golden Globes, which were held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. 

Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag co-star Olivia Colman was victorious in the Best Actress in a TV Drama category, after her starring role in The Crown, and Sir Sam Mendes, who was given a knighthood in the New Year honours, was named Best Director for his war epic 1917 and the film was named Best Picture (Drama).

An emotional Taron Egerton picked up the Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy accolade for Rocketman. See the full list of winners here.