Jeremy Strong and Kieran Culkin at the 2025 Golden Globes: An Awkward Reunion?

Kieran Culkin, everyone’s favorite chaotic Roy sibling, clinched the Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Golden Globe at the 2025 awards for his role in “A Real Pain.” But his tequila-fueled celebration and a seemingly frosty interaction with Succession co-star Jeremy Strong arguably stole the show.

The Win, the Tequila, and the Tension

Culkin, after a two-decade gap since his last Golden Globe nomination, took home the gold. His victory lap included a pre-show tequila shot with Mario Lopez (because, Roman Roy), a rambling acceptance speech, and the aforementioned eyebrow-raising moment with Strong, who was also nominated in the same category for “The Apprentice.” The internet, naturally, exploded.

Key Moments from the 2025 Golden Globes

1. Culkin’s Tequila Triumph: The pre-show tequila shot became a key part of the Culkin win narrative, adding a layer of “did that really just happen?” to the already exciting event. Culkin even referenced the tequila in his acceptance speech, suggesting it might have impacted his slightly less-than-polished delivery.

2. Strong’s Stoic Nomination: Jeremy Strong, nominated for his role in “The Apprentice,” watched as his on-screen brother took home the award. His reaction, or perceived lack thereof, was quickly dubbed “awkward” by social media. Some suggested a less-than-enthusiastic congratulations, while others speculated a deeper tension.

3. The “Awkward” Encounter: This wasn’t a full-blown confrontation, but the seemingly subdued interaction between Culkin and Strong fueled speculation about their off-screen relationship. Did the competitive nature of the awards exacerbate any existing tension from their intense Succession dynamic? It’s possible.

Inside Culkin’s Acceptance Speech

Culkin’s speech was a mix of genuine gratitude and a dash of the unexpected. He thanked his ex-girlfriend Emma Stone and her husband, Dave McCary (whose production company was involved in A Real Pain), a move that raised some eyebrows, especially given the lack of mention of his Succession family, particularly Strong.

Culkin vs. Strong: A “Succession” Showdown?

The 2025 Golden Globes presented a fascinating dynamic: two actors from the same hit show, both nominated in the same category, with vastly different outcomes. It’s natural to wonder if this fueled any underlying rivalry, and whether their on-screen sibling rivalry as the Roy brothers might be seeping into their real-life interactions.

Nominee	Film/Show	Result
Kieran Culkin	A Real Pain	Winner
Jeremy Strong	The Apprentice	Nominated
Denzel Washington	(Unspecified)	Nominated
Edward Norton	(Unspecified)	Nominated
Guy Pearce	(Unspecified)	Nominated
Yura Borisov	(Unspecified)	Nominated

This adds a layer of intrigue to an already drama-filled awards season. It will be interesting to see how this dynamic plays out in the future, both on and off-screen.

The Tequila Shot Heard ‘Round the World

Culkin’s pre-awards tequila shot with Mario Lopez wasn’t just a fun anecdote; it became a symbol of his unconventional approach to the typically buttoned-up awards ceremony. It also suggests the pressure actors face during these high-stakes events, and the different ways they choose to cope. While we don’t know for sure if the tequila fueled his win, it certainly added to the narrative.

Decoding the “Awkwardness”

It’s important to remember that what we see in snippets on social media isn’t the whole story. Strong’s reaction could be interpreted in many ways: genuine disappointment, a reserved personality, or simply being lost in thought. It’s tempting to project the Succession sibling rivalry onto their real-life relationship, but without more information, it remains speculation.

The Verdict: A Night of Intrigue and Tequila

The 2025 Golden Globes gave us a classic Hollywood mix of triumph, tequila, and a touch of maybe-manufactured drama. Whether the “awkward moment” was real or imagined, it undoubtedly added to the entertainment value. One thing’s for sure: Kieran Culkin’s win, and the events surrounding it, will be talked about for a while.