Tom Hiddleston has apologized for his Golden Globes acceptance speech on Sunday that attempted to raise awareness of issues in South Sudan but instead was met with criticism for coming across as self-indulgent.
The actor, who won his first Globe for his role on AMC’s The Night Manager, posted an apology via Facebook on Monday saying, “I was very nervous, and my words just came out wrong.”
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Hiddleston, who won for best actor in a limited series or motion picture made for television, gave a speech that didn’t seem to impress viewers when he recalled a trip with the United Nations Children’s Fund to South Sudan, where he was approached by a group of humanitarian workers and doctors who told him they were fans of The Night Manager.
“The idea that we could provide some relief and entertainment for people who work with UNICEF and Medicins Sans Frontieres and the World Food Programme, who are fixing the world in the places where it is broken, made me immensely proud,” said the actor onstage. He then dedicated his win to “those out there who are doing their best.”
Twitter users took the speech as the actor’s attempt to promote his show instead of bringing awareness to a serious issue.
Tom hiddleston’s speech was the embodiment of white people self-centerism. I’m surprised he and taylor swift didnt work out
— barbara (@miasanrich) January 9, 2017
TOM HIDDLESTON: Listen to my speech about Sudan
AUDIENCE: Okay
HIDDLESTON: …and how it proves my TV show was good.
AUDIENCE: Oh no.— Freddie Campion (@FreddieCampion) January 9, 2017
That was a long story Tom Hiddleston told to pay himself a compliment. #GoldenGlobes
— Gary Janetti (@GaryJanetti) January 9, 2017
Hiddleston said his only intention was to “salute the incredible bravery and courage of the men and women who work so tirelessly for UNICEF UK, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and World Food Programme.”
Read his full apology below.
I just wanted to say… I completely agree that my speech at the Golden Globes last night was inelegantly expressed. In truth, I was very nervous, and my words just came out wrong. Sincerely, my only intention was to salute the incredible bravery and courage of the men and women who work so tirelessly for UNICEF UK, Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and World Food Programme, and the children of South Sudan, who continue to find hope and joy in the most difficult conditions. I apologise that my nerves got the better of me.
