What to know about Golden Globes pianist Chloe Flower - Los Angeles Times
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No, that Golden Globes pianist was not playing over the speeches

A black-haired woman in a white dress on the Golden Globes' gray carpet
Chloe Flower, the pianist of the 80th Golden Globe Awards.
(Amy Sussman / Getty Images)
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If your favorite winner‘s acceptance speech was cut off during the Golden Globes, don’t blame Chloe Flower.

The renowned pianist was something of a breakout star during Tuesday’s awards show, as she capped the telecast’s commercial breaks with snippets from recognizable screen songs such as “Take My Breath Away†from “Top Gun,†“Under the Sea†from “The Little Mermaid,†and the themes from “Sex and the City,†“M*A*S*H†and “The Exorcist†(all of which she arranged herself, by the way).

However, when winners’ lengthy speeches were interrupted by a piano interlude, many on social media concluded that the wrap-up music was coming from Flower herself. Even Michelle Yeoh, who won the award for actress in a motion picture — musical or comedy for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,†responded to the cue by saying in her speech, “Shut up, please. I can beat you up, OK? It’s that serious.â€

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Returning for the first time in nearly two years, the 2023 Golden Globes felt more like a humble comeback than a cork-popping spectacle.

Flower — a Korean American performer who was discovered by Kenny “Babyface†Edmonds and has previously collaborated with Celine Dion, Meek Mill and Cardi B — spoke up about the matter online in the middle of NBC’s telecast. “I would never play piano over people’s speeches!!†she tweeted. “I’m only playing when you see me on camera!â€

Additionally, host Jerrod Carmichael introduced Flower to the audience for a round of applause, and clarified onstage that the speeches’ cue was indeed a prerecorded track.

Flower, who recently released a new single, “Golden Hour,†via Sony, was a fresh addition to the awards show. “I’ve been watching them since I was little, but up until this Golden Globes, I’ve never seen a live musician playing,†she said in an interview before the ceremony. “I think it’s really cool and it will be an intimate vibe, solo piano only. I’ve never done anything like this. The Globes have never seen anything like this. I think it’s going to be such a unique experience for them to see a live musician.â€

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Winners of the 2023 Golden Globes include “House of the Dragon,†“Fabelmans,†“Abbott Elementary†and “The Banshees of Inisherin.â€

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