Wanda Sykes Expresses Gratitude to Trans Community Over Ricky Gervais
Wanda Sykes recently expressed gratitude to the trans community during the 2026 Golden Globes. The ceremony took place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and was hosted by Nikki Glaser. Sykes accepted the award for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on TV on behalf of Ricky Gervais, who won for his special, *Ricky Gervais: Mortality*.
Wanda Sykes’ Speech Highlights
During her speech, Sykes humorously remarked about Gervais’ absence. She stated, “Ricky Gervais, I love you … for not being here.” This comment elicited laughter from the audience. She made a playful jab about Gervais needing to thank God and the trans community, encouraging the crowd to cheer for this message.
Context on Ricky Gervais
Gervais is known for his controversial stand-up routines. He has faced criticism for jokes directed at the transgender community and has described himself as an atheist. Despite facing backlash, he has consistently defended his comedic style.
Other Nominees
In the Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on TV category, Gervais was up against several notable comedians:
- Bill Maher – *Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This?*
- Brett Goldstein – *Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life*
- Kevin Hart – *Kevin Hart: Acting My Age*
- Kumail Nanjiani – *Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts*
- Sarah Silverman – *Sarah Silverman: Postmortem*
Sykes Teases Fellow Nominees
Sykes also took the opportunity to lightly tease her fellow nominees during her speech. She humorously suggested that Bill Maher should contribute a little less and aimed a compliment at Kevin Hart regarding his financial success.
Golden Globes 2026 Overview
The 2026 Golden Globes, which showcased a variety of performances, emphasized both comedy and camaraderie. The awards were presented by producers from Dick Clark Productions, part of a joint venture with Penske Media Corporation.
