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Stars say 'Time's Up' during 2018 Golden Globes: The most powerful quotes of the night

From Oprah's speech to Reese Witherspoon's powerful message

speeches 2018 golden globes
Andrea Caamano
Website Editor
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Some of Hollywood's biggest stars had an important message to share with women all around the world on Sunday night. Oprah, Viola Davis and Reese Witherspoon were among the famous faces who used the 2018 Golden Globes as a platform to speak about the #TIMESUP movement; an initiative launched against sexual harassment.

The change in tone was evident on the red carpet, with almost all female attendees wearing head-to-toe black in a show of support for the cause. Meanwhile, many of the night's big winners took the opportunity to make reference to #TIMESUP and share their own empowering messages with viewers during their acceptance speeches.

From Oprah's declaration that "nobody will ever have to say 'Me Too' again", to Viola Davis telling women "you are born being worthy", we've rounded up some of the most powerful, and memorable speeches of the night. Click through the gallery to read more...

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Debra Messing addressed the subject of gender inequality while talking to E! on the red carpet: "You know, I was so shocked to hear that E! doesn't believe in paying their female co-hosts the same as their male co-hosts," she said. "I mean, I miss Catt Sadler, so we stand with her."

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Barbra Streisand also addressed the lack of women being honoured for directing as she announced the winner for Best Motion Picture Drama. "I heard them say something about, I was the only woman to get the Best Director award. And you know, that was 1984. That was 34 years ago," Barbra said talking about her 1983 film Yentl. She continued. "Folks, time's up! We need more women directors and more women to be nominated for Best Director. There are so many films out there that are so good directed by women."

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Laura Dern during her acceptance speech for her award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for a Limited Series for her performance in Big Little Lies: "Many of us were taught not to tattle. It was a culture of silencing and that was normalised. I urge all of us to not only support survivors and bystanders who are brave enough to tell their truth but to promote restorative justice," she said. "May we also please protect and employ them. May we teach our children that speaking out without the fear of retribution is our culture's new North Star."

natalie portman 2018 golden globes

Natalie Portman called out the fact that no women were nominated for Best Director whilst on stage with director Ron Howard. She said as she introduced the nominees: "And here are the all-male nominees."

viola davis golden globes 2018a© Photo: Getty Images

Viola Davis on the red carpet: "There's not prerequisite for worthiness. You are born being worthy. And I think that's a message that a lot of women need to hear. The women who are still in silence because of trauma, because of shame due to the assault. They need to understand that it's not their fault and they are not dirty. That's my message tonight."

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Oprah Winfrey accepting the Cecil B. DeMille Award: "For too long, women have not been heard or believed if they dare speak the truth to the power of those men. But their time is up."

reese witherspoon speech 2018 golden globes© Photo: Getty Images

Reese Witherspoon accepting the award for Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television for Big Little Lies said: "I want to thank everyone who broke their silence this year and spoke out about abuse and harassment. You are so brave. So people out there who are feeling silenced by harassment, discrimination, abuse, Time's Up! We see you, we hear you and we will tell your stories."

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First time host Seth Meyers ended his speech by paying tribute to all the women present. "People in this room worked really hard to get here, but it's clear more now than ever before that the women had to work even harder," he said. "So thank you for all the amazing work that you've all done and continue to do. I look forward to you leading us into whatever comes next."

nicole kidman golden globes 2018© Photo: Getty Images

Nicole Kidman during her acceptance speech for her award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television for Big Little Lies: "My mumma was an advocate for the women's movement when I was growing up and because of her I am standing here. My achievements are her achievements and Antonia Kidman, my sister, and I say thank you Janelle Kidman for what you fought for so hard."

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Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon took to the stage to present the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture but before announcing Gary Oldman as the winner, Geena told the nominees that they had all "agreed to give half of their salary back, so the women can make more than them". Susan then said, "I don't think that actually happened yet, but that's a great idea!"

Earlier in the day, Susan captioned a photo of herself on Instagram: "Today I will wear black in solidarity and gratitude with all women in all industries, acknowledging our mutual power and vulnerability. #TimesUp on silence, on imbalance of power, on inaction."

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