Marlon Wayans took the stage on Monday for the announcement of the 2026 Golden Globe nominations, but the actor found himself in a humorous predicament, mispronouncing several key names during the broadcast. Alongside actress Skye P. Marshall, Wayans unveiled the list of nominees for this year’s prestigious awards, but his struggles with pronunciation left a memorable mark.
In a lighthearted remark to Variety following the event, Wayans noted, “I’m not sure a lot of them know that they were nominated.” He attributed his flubs to the minimal preparation time he had before the announcement, stating, “We were given about three minutes beforehand.” Among the names that tripped him up were Swedish composer Ludwig Göransson, nominated for his score on Sinners, and Elle Fanning, recognized in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Sentimental Value.
Additionally, Wayans had difficulties with the names of contributors to the K-Pop nominated track “Golden,” including Joong Gyu Kwak and Kim Eun-jae, among others. After fumbling several times, he humorously added, “Somebody’s mama at home right now going, ‘What, who?’”
While Wayans faced challenges, his co-presenter Marshall took the task more seriously, preparing diligently beforehand. She expressed her admiration for the festival season and the buzzworthy projects and creatives that occupy her mind. “I just don’t like not knowing people’s names,” she emphasized, showing her respect for the artists and her desire to honor their work accurately.
The evening was a blend of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming awards season, and while there were a few bumps along the way, both presenters managed to bring an entertaining charm to the event. Their shared enthusiasm for the nominees and the festival spirit underscored the community and celebration that the Golden Globes represent, leaving viewers hopeful for the recognition of diverse talents in the film industry.