Prior to 2023’s SAG-AFTRA strike, the thoughts of taking labour lessons from Hollywood may have seemed a little far-fetched.
But after the actors’ union initiated the dispute centred primarily on contracts, streaming services pay, and the use of AI to generate digital performances, suddenly our favourite actors were on the picket line.
Turns out stars are just like you and me. Well, sort of.
It’s still January and celebrities have already shared a ton of career-applicable wisdom on the red carpet.
Here’s what we’ve learned from 2024’s award season so far.
1. Focus on benefits
Ayo Edebiri’s wit and humour have been a real red carpet highlight this year. When E! News host Laverne Cox asked the The Bear actor what a younger version of herself would think of where she is now, Edebiri had an unexpected answer.
“She didn’t dream of nights like this. She sort of dreamed of just, like, dental insurance,” Edebiri said.
“We’ve got dental, we’ve got eye [insurance], we’ve got ear. We can go to the dermatologist.”
After encouraging viewers to “get that yearly check-up”, she continued with more detailed advice, “Check your moles, people. Wear sunscreen, even if you’re Black, check your moles.”
So take this career lesson from Edebiri into 2024; don’t be distracted by the perks of 3D-moulded Louis Vuitton gowns and gold trophies – or pizza and ping pong as the case may be – and focus on the real, tangible benefits.
2. Show some rizz
Signalling “style, charm or attractiveness”, Oxford’s 2023 word of the year has plenty of application on the red carpet, but what about in your (presumably) less-glitzy workplace?
In a recent article for Metro.co.uk, writer Kirstie McDermott looked at how to apply rizz in your working life through your soft skills and CV.
View this post on Instagram
And while you might not saunter into a job interview with the nonchalance of Cillian Murphy on the red carpet, nor don a custom red punk-influenced suit à la Barry Keoghan, there’s still plenty of ways to make 2024 your rizziest year yet.
3. There’s no need to politely laugh at inappropriate jokes
The unimpressed faces of Emma Stone, Harrison Ford, Florence Pugh, Helen Mirren and Selena Gomez at the Golden Globes is the mood we’re taking into 2024.
This shot is so brutal, as if someone from the control room knew Jo Koy was gonna bomb hard after the Barbie joke they made sure to get a wide shot of the audience. #GoldenGlobes pic.twitter.com/u78k5vBS4l
— Dwight De Leon (@newsdwight) January 8, 2024
These reactions were captured after host Jo Koy described the Barbie movie as a film about “a plastic doll with big boobies”.
The tone-deaf host continued, “The key moment in Barbie is when she goes from perfect beauty to bad breath, cellulite, and flat feet. Or what casting directors call character actor!”
Make like these Hollywood legends, and let this be your year to have zero-tolerance for inappropriate and offensive jokes in the workplace.
4. Don’t kiss your colleagues
There’s a time and a place to kiss your colleagues, and it’s usually ill-advised in the early hours at a holiday party. Even then it’s contractually ropey.
If you’re heading to industry awards this year, use better judgement than Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who interrupted his The Bear co-star Matty Matheson mid-acceptance speech for a 10-second smooch.
Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Matty Matheson share a kiss as ‘The Bear’ wins ‘Outstanding Comedy Series.’ 😂💋 #Emmys
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) January 16, 2024
(🎥: Courtesy of the Television Academy and FOX) pic.twitter.com/RKYITNa3c3
Granted, Matheson didn’t seem to mind, following up with a “I love you Ebon”. Still, best not to take that risk.
5. Believe in yourself
Winning the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, Niecy Nash-Betts gave one of the most rousing acceptance speeches at the 2024 Emmys.
Nash-Betts thanked herself and accepted the award on behalf of “every Black and brown woman who has gone unheard yet overpoliced, like Glenda Cleveland, like Sandra Bland, like Breonna Taylor”.
In a post-speech interview, Nash-Betts also talked about proving to her peers and the industry.
“I was known for a long time in this town as a comedic actress only, and I really wanted to be able to prove to my peers and my industry that I am not a one-trick pony,” Nash-Betts said. “I got some other tricks up these beautiful sleeves.”
“I hope my speech was a delicious invitation for people to do just that. Believe in yourself and congratulate yourself,” she added. “Sometimes you’ve got to encourage, what? Yourself. That’s why it’s not called momma-esteem, them-esteem, us-esteem. It’s called self-esteem. Because don’t nobody got to believe it but you.” Mic drop.
Find out more
If you enjoyed what you’ve read above, and would like to get original work-related content on your own website, plus maximise your revenue, contact us now.
