As Hollywood's elite prepare for the 83rd Golden Globe Awards this Sunday at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, a former nominee has offered a rare glimpse behind the velvet rope, revealing the ceremony's most coveted element isn't the trophies, but the legendary after-parties.
The Real Action is at the Bar and Beyond
Justin Shenkarow, best known for voicing Harold in Hey Arnold! and for his role as Matthew Brock in Picket Fences, attended the star-studded event twice in the mid-90s. He describes the glamorous affair as the "best of both worlds" for celebrating TV and film, but insists the true excitement begins once the broadcast ends.
"The parties after are even more exciting and more important than the actual Golden Globes," Shenkarow revealed. He explained that networks and publications like HBO and Vanity Fair host exclusive bashes all over Los Angeles, each celebrating their specific shows or films, creating a whirlwind of A-list movement across the city.
A Surreal Red Carpet and Musical Chairs Inside
Recalling his experiences as a teenager, Shenkarow painted a vivid picture of the day's events. His Picket Fences cast, who earned nine nominations over four seasons, would start at the Four Seasons for hair, makeup, and dressing up—an experience he fondly called "a lot of fun."
He then described the surreal limousine ride to the venue, the paparazzi flashes, and fan screams on the red carpet. Inside, however, the atmosphere shifts. A large central bar is the heart of the action, designed to keep guests "loose and relaxed." Shenkarow noted that many celebrities are often not in their assigned seats, preferring to network and "try to make a deal or get their next acting job."
This leads to a comical game of musical chairs, managed by an army of "professional seat fillers" who instantly occupy empty seats when cameras roll. "As soon as it goes to intermission, you see people scamper like ants," he laughed. "All the stars get up, then all the seat fillers scamper in immediately."
Starstruck Moments and Lavish Treats
One of Shenkarow's clearest memories is being seated near director Quentin Tarantino, who was nominated for Pulp Fiction. Gathering courage, Shenkarow approached him for an autograph for his history teacher, a huge fan. "He laughed and everybody at the table laughed, but I got the autograph," he said, though he joked he still only received a B in the class.
The lavish dining experience also left a mark, with menu options of fillet mignon or sea bass. And then there are the infamous goodie bags. While Shenkarow couldn't recall the exact contents of his, he acknowledged it was a "very, very good bag." This year's haul is reportedly valued at a staggering £400,000.
The night culminates in a "mad scramble" for the limousines, as stars coordinate which of the many after-parties to hit first. "You're going to many different parties, you don't change, you're just in the limo and off to your first party," Shenkarow disclosed, capping off the true Golden Globes experience.
