Viola Davis And Aunjanue Ellis Taylor Had The Quickest Response To This "Controversial" Question Based On A Popular Meme

On Jan. 5, I had the opportunity to hit up the Golden Globes red carpet to get an up-close scoop of all the celebrities and nominees attending the event.

Golden Globes event backdrop with logos for CBS and Paramount+, displayed on a textured wall near a red carpet
Gilbert Flores / Penske Media via Getty Images

It was a star-studded night and a very, very busy red carpet, so you had to be vigilant to catch everyone's attention.

A man in a light suit and a woman in a strapless gown with gloves converse at a formal event. People and tables with drinks are visible in the background
A man in a light suit and a woman in a strapless gown with gloves converse at a formal event. People and tables with drinks are visible in the background

Christopher Polk / Penske Media via Getty Images

There was Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who recently returned as the voice of Maui in the box-office smash Moana 2, showing off his custom Dolce & Gabbana.

Dwayne Johnson on red carpet, wearing a suit and sunglasses, smiles and interacts with media and attendees in a lively, elegant setting
Mychal Thompson

There were the politest waves from Catherine O'Hara (Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice) and Dakota Fanning (Watchers, The Perfect Couple).

Dakota Fanning on a red carpet smiling and waving, wearing an elegant sleeveless gown with a flowing style
Dakota Fanning on a red carpet smiling and waving, wearing an elegant sleeveless gown with a flowing style
Catherine O'Hara in a sparkling outfit waves excitedly at an event, with another holding a tray of drinks nearby, surrounded by lush greenery
Catherine O'Hara in a sparkling outfit waves excitedly at an event, with another holding a tray of drinks nearby, surrounded by lush greenery

Mychal Thompson

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I received an admirable salute from Adrien Brody, who went on to win Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist. The film also won Best Director for Brady Corbet and Best Motion Picture - Drama awards.

Three people in formal attire on a red carpet, with one person saluting and another looking towards the camera. Photographers in the background
Mychal Thompson

Ariana Grande blew everyone delicate kisses and entered with elegance, much like her Golden Globe-nominated character Glinda the Good Witch in Jon M. Chu's Wicked.

Ariana Grande blowing kisses on the red carpet

Check out this post to see what everyone wore on the red carpet.

For the actors not in a hurry, I asked playfully a nosy question, "What's the most expensive thing you're wearing?" Their answers were unexpected and quite funny.

@buzzfeednow / tiktok.com

But the night's highlight was speaking with two actors who gave us some of the most groundbreaking performances of the last decade — Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Viola Davis.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in elegant floral-themed gown on red carpet event, smiling, with attendees and photographers in the background
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in elegant floral-themed gown on red carpet event, smiling, with attendees and photographers in the background
Viola Davis in a shimmering sequin gown with iridescent cape sleeves on a red carpet, smiling for the camera
Viola Davis in a shimmering sequin gown with iridescent cape sleeves on a red carpet, smiling for the camera

Christopher Polk / Penske Media via Getty Images, Earl Gibson Iii / Penske Media via Getty Images

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I asked them the ridiculous question, "What is one hot take that'll have everybody like..." and showed them the viral meme of Tangled's Flynn Rider when he tells all the ruffians at Snuggly Duckling he doesn't sing:

Flynn Rider with crossed arms, smirking, surrounded by swords

I hoped to see if Aunjanue and Viola thought pineapples shouldn't be on pizza or if people should never wear socks to bed, but their responses were far better.

Disney

Aunjanue, who addressed her bisexuality in 2022 and has been adamant about representation in Hollywood, answered the question swiftly, bringing attention to much-discussed issues over projects with LGBTQ+ themes.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor smiling, wearing a floral-textured outfit with statement earrings, in front of a rose wall backdrop at a celebrity event
John Nacion / Penske Media via Getty Images

"Gay people should play gay people," Aunjanue said in response to the meme question.

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor on the red carpet with an expressive face, holding a BuzzFeed microphone

Viola, who attended the event with her husband, actor, and producer Julius Tennon, answered my harebrained question just how you'd think someone who gives the most memorable awards speeches only knows how.

Viola Davis in a sequined gown with a cape, and Julius Tennon in a classic tuxedo
Michael Buckner / Penske Media via Getty Images

It was at this moment when I knew she was about to shut it down with an answer most fitting for the star of The Woman King and How To Get Away With Murder.

Viola Davis with curly hair wears a v-neck dress with vertical stripes and colorful earrings at a formal event
Mychal Thompson

"Oh no, I don't have anything," Viola said confidently.

Viola Davis in an elegant, shimmering gown with sequins, speaking on the red carpet
Mychal Thompson

She stepped back, laughed, and said, "No one would ever point a sword at me."

Viola Davis in a sequined, striped gown with deep V-neck, standing on a red carpet

The way that it felt like this was her response to my silly question, and I ate it up because she is royalty in my book:

Viola Davis with short hair and earrings, picking up her bag to leave

Aunjanue and Viola are remarkable talents, and if you haven't caught up on all their critically acclaimed work in film and television, then I have only one thing to say to you:

Animated character surrounded by pointed objects, looking smug with crossed arms
Disney

BuzzFeed Community: If you had the chance to ask a celebrity any question on the red carpet, what would it be? Let me know in the comments, and perhaps I'll ask them next time (if it's appropriate, of course).

As we head deeper into awards season, check out more of our coverage of the Golden Globes here to get familiar with this year's biggest contenders.