Golden Globes 2017: Viola Davis honors Meryl Streep with Cecil B. DeMille Award

Is there a better performer than Meryl Streep? She is a woman who has won so many awards over the course of her career that it’s become expected that she will be nominated for any part that she plays. She’s magnetic, enigmatic, talented, and from all estimations, very kind. She’s a woman who is intimidating, but by name only. Those who actually know her may not feel as though that is the case at all.

Tonight, Meryl was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes, and she was introduced courtesy of a powerful speech by Viola Davis. The two women worked together in “Doubt,” and she told a story about how much she idolized her, and how her husband tried to force her to say it to her. She didn’t then, but she said it in her speech before a montage of some of Meryl’s greatest performances dominated the screen.

When Streep took the stage, she did speak briefly about her craft, but at the same time she also took several political turns. She cited Donald Trump as giving one of the most memorable performances of the years, but for all of the wrong reasons. Specifically, she cited him mocking a disabled reporter as an example of what he did to put on a performance to his audience, one that would influence them to follow his lead.

In addition to this, she also highlighted the diversity in Hollywood, pointing out where so many different performers come from and what they mean to this industry. Given that this speech was largely based on current events and issues, it’s inevitable that there will be some out there who decry it. Yet, at the same time, others may remember it as one of the most powerful speeches in the history of the awards show. This is a country of great variance right now, and there will be variance in these reactions.

Even still, we are grateful to Meryl not only for her work, but also her bravery in standing up, knowing what the reaction would be to this in advance.

What did you think about both Davis’ introduction, and also Streep’s speech? Let us know in the comments, and head over here to get some other news when it comes to the show. (Photo: Golden Globes.)