Why Wanda Sykes’ Golden Globes speech hit nerve in Hollywood?

Wanda Sykes orchestrated one of the most jaw dropping moments at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards.

The 61-year-old took a scorching monologue at Ricky Gervais and Bill Maher in an onstage roast leaving audience completely stunned.

The veteran comedian stepped into the spotlight on Sunday night to present the award for best performance in stand-up comedy on television.

Before announcing the winner at the Beverly Hilton, the star pointed out all the nominees, launching a series of sharp remarks that quickly became night’s most talked-about segments.

She began with, “shoutout to the Golden Globes for having me, because you know this, but people are pissed off that a queer Black woman is up here doing the job of two mediocre white guys.

Sykes wittingly included Gervais, Maher, Brett Goldstein, Kevin Hart, Kumail Nanjiani and Sarah Silverman. 

However, she punched the harshest jokes at Maher and Gervais.

Maher, who was nominated for Is Anyone Else Seeing This?, she quipped, “Bill Maher, you give us so much, but I would love a little less. Just try less.”

The immediate cut at Maher in the audience, took him visibly caught off guard.

She further mentioned Gervais, who was absent from the ceremony, “Ricky Gervais, I love you for not being here,” she said. 

Adding, “No, I love you, Ricky, but because if you win, I get to accept the award on your behalf, and you are going to thank God and the trans community.”

The comment cited the open atheism of Gervais and the controversy created by the trans jokes in the 2022 stand-up special that he created, SuperNature.

Moments later Sykes received Gervais award with a laugh when he was made the winner of his Netflix special Mortality.

“And the Golden Globe goes to Ricky Gervais,” she said. “Because he would like to thank God and the trans community. Ricky Gervais could not be here, so we will accept this on his behalf.”

The clip soon turned into a viral one as it was one of the most watched videos of the event, and it was immediately reacted to on social media.