Jerrod Carmichael has an idea. “Backstage, I found these three Golden Globe Awards that Tom Cruise returned,†the comedian began at this year’s Golden Globes ceremony, awkwardly cradling the honors in his arms. “Look, I’m just the host briefly, whatever, but I have a pitch: I think maybe we take these three things and exchange them for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige?†Top Gun: Maverick star (and Scientologist) Tom Cruise publicly disavowed the ceremony last year in an L.A. Times article after the show’s ethics and diversity failings came to light, returning the three statues he won in years past. Cruise was a no-show tonight despite his film’s nominations.
Miscavige, a member of the Church of Scientology and wife of leader David Miscavige, was also a no-show. She was last seen in public in August 2007, and her disappearance has been a source of major criticism of the organization. Lawyers for Miscavige and Scientology have claimed multiple times that she chose to live a private life, and police closed a missing-persons report on her made by Leah Remini shortly after it was opened, claiming she was safe. Last November, Remini, a former Scientology member, claimed a Los Angeles police captain received generous donations from the organization, insinuating he was helping in a cover-up. Remini said that her “first goal was to try and find Shelly†when she left Scientology and that she had been nervous after Miscavige did not attend Cruise’s wedding in 2006.
Remini seemed to appreciate Carmichael’s idea, tweeting a thank you to him after the moment. Meanwhile, Carmichael punctuated his introduction with a shrug. It’s just an idea, his face said. “From Top Gun: Maverick, please welcome Glen Powell and Jay Ellis.†Cue the gasps.
This post has been updated.