Golden Globes 2026: Wanda Sykes Trolls Ricky Gervais Over Past Trans Comments

During Sunday night’s ceremony, Wanda introduced the contenders in the Best Stand-Up Special category, and took a brief moment to roast all of the comedians that had been nominated, including Brett Goldstein (“you’re handsome, you’ve got that great super villain voice, and you are charming – you would’ve made a great Menendez brother”), Kumail Nanjiani (“you prove that male comedians can be funny without being chubby”), Kevin Hart (“the richest guy in this category, and yet I know he wants it the most”), Sarah Silverman (“we haven’t talked in five years, but we are so close”) and Bill Maher (“you give us so much, but I would love a little less”).

When it came to Ricky Gervais, she jokingly thanked him for “not being here”.

After this comment drew applause from the audience, Wanda quickly added: “No, I love you, Ricky. Because if you win, I get to accept the award on your behalf. And you’re going to thank God. And the trans community.”

True to her word, when Ricky was revealed as the recipient of the Best Stand-Up Special award, Wanda accepted the prize on his behalf, reiterating that it was dedicated to both God and the trans community.

He insisted back in 2022: “I think that’s what comedy is for, really – to get us through stuff, and I deal in taboo subjects because I want to take the audience to a place it hasn’t been before, even for a split second.

“Most offence comes from when people mistake the subject of a joke with the actual target.”

Earlier this month, Ricky told the BBC: “I have a right to talk about those things. And there are jokes I certainly stand by.”