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Celebrities including Mark Ruffalo and Wanda Sykes wore "Be Good" and "ICE OUT" pins at the Golden Globes to condemn ICE following Renee Nicole Good's fatal shooting, sparking varied public responses.
During the 83rd Golden Globes, several prominent celebrities, including Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes, Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, and Natasha Lyonne, used the platform to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This act came days after the fatal shooting of Renée Nicole Good. Stars on the red carpet donned pins bearing messages such as "BE GOOD" and "ICE OUT." Wanda Sykes explicitly stated her participation was in support of the mother killed by an ICE agent, calling for people to speak up and "shut this rogue government down." Jean Smart also wore the pin while accepting her award. The "BE GOOD" campaign aims to honor Renée Macklin Good and Keith Porter and encourage empathy and good citizenship in the face of such tragedies.
The celebrity protest stems from the fatal shooting of Renée Nicole Good by an ICE officer. Good was killed during an encounter where she allegedly swerved her car toward the officer. This incident, which occurred just days before the Golden Globes, ignited protests not only in Minneapolis but also across the United States. Local figures, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, publicly criticized the ICE officer’s actions. Conversely, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the agent, asserting that he acted in self-defense and characterized Good's behavior leading up to the shooting as "an act of domestic terrorism."
The political statements made by celebrities on the Golden Globes red carpet quickly led to widespread and polarized reactions on social media. Many viewers took to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to express their support, commending the celebrities for their "bravery" and for "standing up for what's right," describing the display as a "powerful moment." However, a significant portion of online users voiced strong criticism. These critics labeled the participating actors as "pathetic and a bunch of hypocrites," suggesting that if Hollywood opposed an issue, it signified public support for the opposite stance. Some directly questioned actors like Mark Ruffalo, claiming he had a long-standing agenda and disregarded facts, with others threatening to boycott their future work due to their perceived "unamerican" views.
The article also highlighted a broader debate about celebrities making political statements at award shows, referencing comments made by actor Billy Bob Thornton. In a November interview on "The Joe Rogan Experience," Thornton, 70, argued that award recipients should use their acceptance speeches to honor those who presented the award, rather than promoting political causes. He emphasized that there's "a time and place for that," implying award shows are not it, and advised celebrities to "just stick to what it is." Thornton humorously suggested that if wealthy celebrities genuinely wanted to support a cause, such as "saving the badgers in Wisconsin," they should use their own considerable financial resources to do so, as it would "barely gonna cut into your budget."