At the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, Rose Byrne was crowned the winner of the Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy category for her acclaimed role in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You. The actress, 46, charmed audiences while explaining the surprising reason her partner of over a decade, Bobby Cannavale, was absent from the ceremony.
Rose Byrne’s Emotional Acceptance Speech
Standing on stage at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 11, Byrne thanked her collaborators and shared heartfelt insights about her journey with the film.
“This is such a shock. Thank you so much,” she said. “I share this with Mary Bronstein, my writer and director. She wrote this unbelievable screenplay, and she wanted me to do it. I can’t believe that you wanted me to do it.”
She also expressed gratitude to the film’s producers, including Sara Murphy, Ryan Zacarias, Ronald Bronstein, and Josh Safdie, before turning to her brother George, who attended the ceremony as her date.
Byrne then humorously explained her partner’s absence:
“I want to thank my husband, Bobby, who couldn’t be here because we’re getting a bearded dragon and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey. So, thank you. Thank you, baby.”
About If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Byrne’s role as Linda, a harried mother navigating chaos with humor and heart, has earned her critical acclaim across multiple awards circuits, including the Spirit Awards, Critics Choice Awards, and Actors Awards.
Speaking to W Magazine about the filming process, Byrne said:
“My adrenaline was so high shooting the film. At the end, I felt very disoriented. I was scared to watch the finished film. When I finally saw it, I was speechless.”
Golden Globe Nominees in the Category
Rose Byrne faced stiff competition from an array of talented actresses:
Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good
Erivo reprises her role as Elphaba, the iconic green-skinned witch, in Jon M. Chu’s continuation of the Broadway phenomenon. Already nominated for multiple major awards, Erivo has now received five Golden Globe nods for her portrayal. She described the experience on Instagram:
“I could write you an essay, a poem, Shakespearean prose, to describe what this journey has meant to me, what lessons this time has taught me.”
Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
In Craig Brewer’s musical biopic, Hudson stars as Claire Stengl, performing alongside Hugh Jackman’s Neil Diamond tribute band, Lightning & Thunder. Hudson’s third Golden Globe nomination celebrates her dynamic portrayal of a passionate musician, emphasizing the humanity and inspiration in her performance.
Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another
The 25-year-old breakout star plays Willa, daughter of underground revolutionaries, in Paul Thomas Anderson’s political satire. Infiniti, previously known for the Apple TV+ series Presumed Innocent, described her experience as “unreal” when sharing the screen with Leonardo DiCaprio, Regina Hall, Sean Penn, and Benicio Del Toro.
Amanda Seyfried – The Testament of Ann Lee
Seyfried’s portrayal of the 18th-century Shaker leader brought her nominations for her compelling performance in the historical musical. She shared her initial apprehension at the Toronto International Film Festival, noting how her character’s dedication to equality and faith resonated personally.
Emma Stone – Bugonia
Stone stars as a kidnapped pharmaceutical CEO in Yorgos Lanthimos’ darkly comedic thriller. Known for shaving her head for the role, the Oscar-winning actress described the experience as “liberating and freeing,” marking her fourth collaboration with Lanthimos and continuing a remarkable streak of award nominations.
Golden Globes 2026 Highlights
Hosted by comedian Nikki Glaser, the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. Rose Byrne’s win adds to a season already filled with notable moments, celebrating both rising talent and established stars across film and television.
For audiences eager to see Byrne’s award-winning performance, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is available through A24’s streaming platforms and theatrical releases.
Leave a Reply