Kathy Bates' Viral Reaction to Golden Globes Loss Sparks Social Media Buzz

Kathy Bates, nominated for her performance in the CBS drama Matlock, made headlines during the 2025 Golden Globes—not for a win, but for her reaction to losing the award.

Bates was up for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series — Drama, a category that included Emma D’Arcy (House of the Dragon), Maya Erskine (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), Keira Knightley (Black Doves), and Keri Russell (The Diplomat). The award ultimately went to Anna Sawai for her role in Shōgun.

When presenters Colman Domingo and Salma Hayek announced Sawai as the winner, Bates joined the audience in a round of applause. However, as the cameras shifted to Sawai walking to the stage to accept her trophy, Bates was caught on camera tearing up a piece of paper in her hands. Social media users speculated that the paper may have been her prepared acceptance speech.

The moment quickly went viral, with viewers praising Bates for her candid and seemingly good-natured reaction.

Bates, who plays the titular role in Matlock, recently described the series as her “last dance” in acting. Despite her plans for retirement, Matlock has been renewed for a second season following strong ratings, ensuring Bates will remain on screens for the foreseeable future.

The show is a reboot of the classic series that originally starred Andy Griffith. Bates’ version follows Madeline "Matty" Matlock, a seasoned attorney returning to the legal field at a prestigious law firm, where she solves cases using her sharp intellect and unassuming charm while navigating a personal secret.