The Golden Globes will no longer pay $75,000 annual salaries to former Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) members who serve as voters. Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne informed the affected members of the change during a video call on February 28.
The decision comes one year into a five-year deal signed in June 2023 between the voters and Penske Media Eldridge, the new owners of the Golden Globes. The agreement originally ensured that former HFPA members integrated into the new organization would receive an annual salary. Moving forward, those voters may continue participating but will not be compensated.
Approximately 50 individuals are affected by the change. Each will receive a severance package of $102,500. Those who wish to remain part of the voting body must apply for accreditation on a yearly basis.
A Golden Globes spokesperson stated that the decision was “an acknowledgment that continuing to pay members could add to a perception of bias in voting.” The organization also confirmed that the severance package meets its contractual obligations.
The change reflects broader shifts within the Golden Globes since 2021, when scrutiny over HFPA’s lack of Black members led to significant reforms. The organization, once a nonprofit, transitioned into a for-profit entity under Penske Media Corporation. The voting body expanded from 87 members to more than 300, with former HFPA members now representing a small portion of the total group.
