Golden Globes host Jerrod Carmichael took a photo of actor Tom Cruise in support of Scientology during Tuesday’s awards.
During the introduction of Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick” co-stars Glen Powell and Jay Ellis, Carmichael appeared on stage holding three Golden Globe trophies.
“Backstage, I found these three Golden Globes that Tom Cruise returned,” she said. “Look, I’m just hosting for a short time or whatever, but just an introduction: I think maybe we could take these three things and trade them for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige.”
Last year, Cruise returned three statuettes he had won in previous years in protest of ethics and diversity failures by the show’s organizing body, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. He didn’t show up for Tuesday night’s adventure, even though “Top Gun: Maverick” was nominated for best picture.
Shelly Miscavige is the wife of David Miscavige, the leader of the controversial Church of Scientology. She has not been seen in public since 2007. Since withdrawing from the public eye, a number of Scientology detractors have raised concerns about her well-being and whereabouts.
The Globes audience didn’t seem to know how to respond to the joke. There was a moment of silence before laughter, cheers and applause – not unlike the audience’s initial sheepish reaction to his brutal opening monologue. On the other hand, viewers at home took the popcorn:
Actor Leah Remini, a former member of the Church of Scientology who became an outspoken critic, It has repeatedly sounded the alarm about Shelly Miscavige’s absence. He also criticized Cruise and his role in promoting the organization.
He also said on Tuesday evening:
