“Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Angelina Jolie — oh my God, there’s been so many,” a young waiter standing at the front of the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton said on Sunday afternoon just after 4 p.m.
The server, with a tray of spring water, was listing all the divas and star actresses who had already showed up to the 2025 Golden Globes, which serve as the unofficial beginning of the yearly awards derby.
If the Oscars are a memorial service for the year that was, the Globes are the prom, a bubbly, fun party — and a product placement vehicle for fashion companies — where it feels appropriate for the actor Jeremy Strong to show up in a sea-foam-green suit and matching bucket hat from Loro Piana.
“Everybody’s celebrating, everybody’s laid back,” said Dwayne Johnson, who was standing a few feet away from Mr. Strong, waiting his turn for an interview with E! Entertainment Television.
He wore a light violet Dolce & Gabbana suit paired with a violet silk shirt left open nearly to his navel, showing off his prominent chest tattoo.
“Just had it made,” Mr. Johnson said.
In front of Mr. Johnson on the carpet, being interviewed by another outlet, was Colin Farrell, who stood among a cavalcade of stars in custom Louis Vuitton. His hair had taken on a brownish-orange tint that is seldom applied anywhere east of Sunset Boulevard, but that wouldn’t hurt him here: He would go on to win the Golden Globe for best actor in a limited series, anthology series or movie for TV for his role in “The Penguin.”
Cate Blanchett tore past the press line in a beaded gold Vuitton gown. Zendaya primped and posed in a floor-length saffron Vuitton gown with matching satin pumps, and on her left ring finger was a large diamond ring that she did not discuss.
Up marched Emma Stone, sporting a new pixie cut and a sleeveless, ruby-red, long Vuitton dress that cinched at the waist. Just behind Ms. Stone was Cynthia Erivo, who was nominated in the category of best actress in a musical or comedy for her role in “Wicked.” Ms. Erivo’s custom Vuitton gown was black and silver, with hand embroidery, silver sequins and a dramatic waistline.
From behind the barricades, reporters beckoned to Ms. Erivo, calling out the names of the outlets for which they worked. One was from the local NBC affiliate. Another was from the Beverly Hills High School student newspaper.
Inside the ballroom, Margaret Qualley was introducing people to her date.
“This is my dad,” she said, referring to the former model Paul Qualley.
The actor Glen Powell was just behind her, introducing guests to Cyndy Powell, his mother.
Nikki Glaser delivered her opening monologue, where she declared it “Ozempic’s biggest night.”
Soon after, many guests appeared to be hanging out not in the ballroom, where the awards show was taking place, but next door, at an all-you-can-eat buffet of sushi.
Tilda Swinton fixed herself a plate. Ms. Stone headed to the bar, where she ordered drinks for a group of her friends.
One minute, a slew of publicists and journalists were ogling the actor Édgar Ramírez near the dessert table. Seemingly the next, he was onstage presenting the award for best actor in a motion picture, drama.
A little after 8 p.m., the show ended, and many seemed less tipsy this year and than in some years past. A party was taking place in an event space adjacent to the ballroom, but few of the stars (if any) headed there.
Instead, they streamed for the exits, bound for a slew of nearby bashes.
The cast and crew of “Emilia Pérez,” which took home the award for best picture, musical or comedy, hit the Italian restaurant Spago for a party hosted by its distributor, Netflix.
That was also the first stop for Ms. Swinton, though she remained in the lobby of the Beverly Hilton for a good while, texting her driver, who was having trouble navigating a slew of police barricades and security checkpoints.
“That’s what happens,” Ms. Swinton said. “One waits and one hopes it comes and one checks one’s emails and then it’s all absolutely all right.”
The actress Naomi Watts waited on the curb for hers, after which she headed to the Creative Artists Agency party at the Chateau Marmont.
And Elle and Dakota Fanning rode off to the party hosted by Walt Disney Studios at Funke, an Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills.
Ryan Murphy held court at a table in the back Funke. The actress Amy Adams, who had been nominated for her role in “Nightbitch,” was stationed near the front. A DJ played disco classics by Diana Ross and Melba Moore. Waiters walked the room serving meatballs and cacio e pepe to the likes of Edward Norton and Jesse Eisenberg.
Upstairs, the actor Anthony Mackie was posing for pictures with friends inside a photo booth. Earlier in the evening, Mr. Mackie had presented an award with Harrison Ford.
Mr. Mackie had been audible. Mr. Ford, not so much.
“He’s been a movie star so long, he’s not even impressed by being a movie star anymore,” Mr. Mackie shrugged. (All of this was seemingly delivered as a compliment.)
In walked Kieran Culkin, who last year won a trophy for his role on the television show “Succession” and this year had in his hand the gold trophy he had picked up a few hours earlier for his role in “A Real Pain,” which was written and directed by Mr. Eisenberg, who also co-starred in it.
“Every time this year, he gets the awards,” Mr. Eisenberg said, laughing.
The trophy was heavy.
“I think it’s eight pounds, maybe 10,” Mr. Culkin said, handing it around to be examined.