The president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which conducts the annual Golden Globe Awards, has penned an open letter to Meryl Streep, calling the veteran actress a “class act” and defending her controversial speech at Sunday night’s awards show.
Lorenzo Soria posted his letter on the Golden Globes Instagram account Tuesday night, receiving nearly 20,000 likes by noontime Wednesday. He started off by congratulating Ms. Streep, who accepted the HFPA’s Cecil B. DeMille Award at the ceremony before she launched into her rant against President-elect Donald Trump.
“We stand proudly behind our choice, and we applaud your 40 years of captivating work,” Mr. Soria wrote. “You’re a class act, in and out of character.
“As an organization of journalists, the HFPA stands by your defense of free expression and we reject any calls for censorship,” he continued. “We thank you for your unwavering support for the arts. With gratitude and respect, Lorenzo Soria President Hollywood Foreign Press Association.”
Ms. Streep has earned the praise of many in Hollywood after she dedicated her acceptance speech to criticizing Mr. Trump, without mentioning his name.
“Disrespect invites disrespect,” she said. “Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose.”
Mr. Trump responded by calling Ms. Streep “overrated” and his incoming counselor, Kellyanne Conway, accused the actress of “inciting people’s worst instincts.”
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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