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March 1, 2021

2021 Golden Globes: Biggest moments from the show

WATCH: Biggest virtual moments from 2021 Golden Globes

This year's Golden Globes looked different than any previous year, with the awards show adapting to the global COVID-19 pandemic in various ways.

The 78th annual Golden Globes marked the first time a Golden Globes ceremony has been broadcast live from two coasts, with host Tina Fey in New York City and host Amy Poehler in Los Angeles. Only the hosts and presenters -- as well as audiences filled with frontline workers -- were present. All nominees joined the fun virtually.

MORE: 2021 Golden Globes: Full winners list

Check out some of the most notable moments from the night:

'The Crown' reigns supreme

Reigning supreme for the night in terms of wins was "The Crown." The Netflix show won four Golden Globes, including one for best drama series. Stars Emma Corrin, Josh O'Connor and Gillian Anderson won for their portrayal of Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Margaret Thatcher, respectively.

In her acceptance speech, Corrin thanked the late Princess Diana for being a source of inspiration to herself and many others.

"You have taught me compassion and empathy beyond any measure that I could ever imagine," she said. "On behalf of everyone who remembers you so fondly and passionately in our hearts, thank you."

While it had the most nominations on the film side headed into the night, "Mank" walked away empty-handed. Three films -- "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," "Nomadland'' and "Soul" tied for the top spot, each winning two trophies.

Check out a full list of winners here.

Chadwick Boseman honored with posthumous Golden Globe

The late actor received his first Golden Globe nomination and award for his performance in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

In one of the most emotional moments of the night, Chadwick Boseman's widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the award on his behalf and shared what she imagined he would have said while accepting the lead actor award.

"He would say something beautiful, something inspiring, something that would amplify that little voice inside of all of us that tells you, you can -- that tells you to keep going," she said. "That calls you back to what you are meant to be doing at this moment in history."

Boseman died at the age of 43 in August 2020 after a yearslong private battle with colon cancer.

Congratulations to Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (@MaRaineyFilm). - #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/aVUlR7IyHq

Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) March 1, 2021

Legends Jane Fonda and Norman Lear honored

During the show, Norman Lear became the third recipient of the Golden Globes' Carol Burnett Award, while Jane Fonda was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award.

Lear, known for producing iconic shows like "All in the Family" and "Sanford and Son," spoke about his admiration for Burnett during his acceptance speech.

"Thank you and bless you, Carol Burnett, for everything you have meant to me by way of joy, surprise, delight and laughter,” the trailblazing writer and producer shared. “As I think about you, and the laughter and the joy of our parallel careers, so glad we had this time together."

"I am convinced that laughter adds time to one's life, and nobody has made me laugh harder, nobody I owe more time to than Carol Burnett and the brilliant team that helped her realize her comedic genius,” he shared.

Jane Fonda spoke about the great power of storytelling during her acceptance speech.

This year's Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient... Jane Fonda! #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/qTb1Jqul3i

— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) March 1, 2021

"You see, stories ... can change our hearts and our minds," she said. "They can help us see each other in a new light, to have empathy, to recognize that, for all our diversity, we are humans first," she said, later referencing many of this year's nominees for helping her with that. Fonda listed films like "Nomadland," "Minari" and "One Night in Miami," as well as TV shows like "Ramy" and "I May Destroy You" as evidence."

She spoke about the need for more diverse voices and the power these voices have to "generate a new energy that can jolt us open and penetrate our defenses so that we can see and hear what we may have been afraid of seeing and hearing."

Hollywood Foreign Press Association called out for lack of diversity

The HFPA’s diversity problem was a large topic of conversation leading up to the award show, with many stars in the industry calling on the organization to make changes.

In Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's opening monologue, the duo discussed the issue. "The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is made up of around 90 international, no Black journalists, who attend movie junkets each year in search of a better life," Fey said.

"Look, we all know that award shows are stupid," she continued. "They're all a scam, invented by Big Red Carpet to sell more carpet."

"Point is, even with stupid things, inclusivity is important, and there are no Black members of the Hollywood Foreign Press," she added. "I realize HFPA, maybe you guys didn't get a memo because your workplace is in the back booth of a French McDonald's, but you've got to change that. So here's to change."

The disparity came to light after a Los Angeles Times report revealed that of the 87-person group of international journalists who make up the HFPA -- that decide the nominees and winners of the award show -- there are no Black members.

Stars within the industry called out the HFPA following the release of the report, sharing open letters demanding change. The HFPA said it would address the issue in the show, which they did.

Representatives from the HFPA took the stage to acknowledge the problem and commit to making changes. "We recognize we have our own work to do," HFPA Vice President Helen Hoehne said. "Just like in film and television, Black representation is vital. We must have Black journalists in our organization."

Former president of the organization, Meher Tatna, shared, "We must also ensure everyone from all underrepresented communities gets a seat at our table, and we are going to make that happen." HFPA President Ali Sar then added, "That means creating an environment where a diverse membership is the norm, not the exception."

A historic moment for woman directors

With Chloe Zhao's win for her film "Nomadland," she becomes just the second woman to win for best director in Golden Globes history.

Zhao was one of three female nominees this year alongside Emerald Fennell ("Promising Young Woman") and Regina King ("One Night in Miami"). This is the first time more than one woman was nominated in the category and the first time women outnumbered men in the category. David Fincher ("Mank") and Aaron Sorkin ("The Trial of the Chicago 7") were also nominated.

Before Zhao, the only woman to ever win the Golden Globe for best director was Barbra Streisand for "Yentl" in 1984. Aside from this year's nominees, the only other women who have been nominated for best director at the Golden Globes in history are Kathryn Bigelow, Jane Campion, Sofia Coppola and Ava DuVernay.

Zhao is the first woman of Asian descent to be nominated in and to win the best director category.

In her acceptance speech, Zhao opened up about why she fell in love with making movies and telling stories. "They give us a chance to laugh and cry together," the upcoming "The Eternals" director said. "And they give us a chance to learn from each other and to have more compassion for each other."