Viola Davis was honored with another award this year, but viewers of the 2025 Golden Globes didn't get to see her accept it.


The EGOT winner, 59, was the recipient of this year's Cecil B. DeMille Award, an honorary Golden Globe for "outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment." Sunday's Golden Globes telecast, though, did not include an acceptance speech by Davis.


Instead, the Cecil B. DeMille Award was presented during a separate ceremony two days before the Golden Globes. Davis gave a speech at this Friday event, which was posted in its entirety on the Golden Globes' official YouTube channel.


Viola Davis attends the Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 5, 2025.

Ted Danson also received the honorary Carol Burnett Award on Friday but did not give a speech during the main telecast. Brief clips from the Friday ceremony were shown on television Sunday.


How to watch Viola Davis' Golden Globes speech accepting Cecil B DeMille Award

Davis appeared at Sunday's ceremony to present the award for best actress in a drama film, and while introducing the category, she mentioned the award she received.



"It is an immense honor and great privilege to be standing here as this year's recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award," she said.


Previous Golden Globes telecasts have included full Cecil B. DeMille Award acceptance speeches as part of the broadcast from honorees including Eddie Murphy, Jane Fonda and Tom Hanks.



In 2018, Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient Oprah Winfrey delivered a nearly 10-minute acceptance speech, which was widely considered one of the most memorable moments of the evening. "I want all the girls watching here and now to know that a new day is on the horizon," she said, commenting on the #MeToo movement.


Viola Davisgives revealing unscripted speech at Golden Globes awards gala


Social media backlash over Viola Davis speech not being aired during Golden Globes telecast

On social media, some viewers were critical of the decision not to air Davis' acceptance speech during Sunday's Golden Globes broadcast.


"Viola Davis only getting a quick mention when every Cecil B Demille winner in past years got a whole segment is … a choice," one X post said.


"I feel like I should have been able to see Viola Davis receive her Golden Cecil B. DeMille Award," another post said, while an additional user wrote, "We should have seen Viola Davis receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award and heard her speech tonight."


USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for the Golden Globes and Davis for comment.


A recap of Friday's event honoring Davis that was posted on the Golden Globes' website said the organization "decided to devote an entire evening to the recipients, with lengthy clips, introductory remarks and acceptance speeches that allowed time to give the artists their due, rather than squeeze them into a 45-second slot on a longer awards show." The Oscars similarly present some honors during a separate Governors Awards event prior to the telecast.


In her Friday acceptance speech, Davis spoke without a teleprompter for more than 15 minutes. "Little Viola is squealing," she said. "She's standing behind me now, and she's pulling on my dress."


Davis told USA TODAY before receiving the honor, "This is a first award I was told that I won that made me cry. Little Viola showed up who just never could imagine that she could evolve into this life, into this career. I just feel incredibly grateful today."