Jodie Foster's Golden Globes speech: What people are saying

Actress Jodie Foster accepts the Cecil B. Demille Award on stage during the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel International Ballroom, January 13, 2013 in Beverly Hills, Calif. / Paul Drinkwater/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. On a night of surprises and laughs, the 70th annual Golden Globe Awards may be most memorable for a moving speech by actress Jodie Foster, who spoke emotionally of love, loyalty and career.

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Jodie Foster

Accepting the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award, Foster spoke obliquely about her relationship with Cydney Bernard, her former partner of 20 years with whom she has two sons. Foster called her "my heroic co-parent, my ex-partner in love but righteous soul sister in life, my confessor, ski buddy, consiglieri, [and] most beloved BFF of 20 years.

"I am so proud of our modern family," she added, as her two boys in the audience smiled.

The 50-year-old Academy Award-winner (for "The Silence of the Lambs" and "The Accused") has always been protective of her private life, and though she has not hidden her relationship with Bernard or her sexual orientation, she has not allowed it to be fodder for interviews.

Backstage, Foster explained why she had opened up: "The speech kind of speaks for itself. ... It's a big moment. I wanted to say what's most in my heart."

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Foster had coyly opened up her remarks with, "I'm just going to put it out there, loud and proud. I am, uh, . . . single."

The audience laughter was followed with her alluding to her coming out: "I already did my coming out a thousand years ago, in the Stone Age," she said. "Those very quaint days when a fragile young girl would open up to trusted friends and family and co-workers and then gradually to everyone that knew her, everyone she actually met. But now apparently I'm told that every celebrity is expected to honor the details of their private life with a press conference, a fragrance, and a primetime reality show.

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Golden Globes 2013 show highlights

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Golden Globes 2013 press room

"You guys might be surprised but I am not Honey Boo Boo child. No, I'm sorry. That's just not me. It never was and it never will be. But please don't cry, because my reality show would so boring."

She added, "If you had been a public figure from the time that you were a toddler, if you had to fight for a life that felt real and honest and normal against all odds, then maybe then you, too, might value privacy above all else. Privacy.

"I have given everything up there from the time that I was three years old -- that's reality show enough, don't you think?

"There are a few secrets to keeping your psyche intact over such a long career. The first, love people and stay beside them." She gave a shout-out to her acting agent of 38 years.

Foster also paid tribute to her 84-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia. "Mom, I know you are inside those blue eyes somewhere," she said, "and that there are so many things that you won't understand tonight, but this is the only important one to take in: I love you, I love you, I love you. And I hope that if I say this three times, it will magically and perfectly enter into your soul, fill you with grace and the joy of knowing that you did good in this life, you're a great mom. Please take that with you when you're finally okay to go."

"This feels like the end of one era and the beginning of something else," she said in conclusion. Though Foster did not mention retirement, she alluded to a change in her career in which she "may be holding a different talking stick.

"Maybe it won't be as sparkly, maybe it won't open on 3,000 screens, maybe it will be so quiet and delicate that only dogs can hear it whistle," Foster said, "But it will be my writing on the wall. 'Jodie Foster was here.' I still am. And I want to be seen, to be understood deeply, and to be not so very lonely."

Backstage, Foster reaffirmed that her career announcement did not mean retirement. "Oh no, I could never stop acting. You would have to drag me behind a team of horses."

Lena Dunham, who won the Best Actress in a TV Comedy Award for her HBO series "Girls," said, "I think that one of the most wonderful things about the speech that Miss Foster just gave was that it was really a complex, interesting assessment of what it's like to have a creative career over a long period of time. She wasn't trying to hand you one moral."

Jessica Chastain (who won the Golden Globe for Best Actress/Drama Award for the film 'Zero Dark Thirty"), told the Los Angeles Times, "I can tell you what I took from the speech, as an actress I struggle with the idea of privacy. ...The actors who I respect are the ones who try hard to keep their privacy, like Jodie Foster -- I think when an actor is able to do that the audience is better able to accept them in different roles."

Jane Fonda praised Foster's speech, calling it "mysterious" and "profound." "It was my favorite part of the evening," she told The Associated Press.

Mel Gibson, who was directed by Foster in the 2011 film "The Beaver," said his friend's appearance was typical of her: "Priceless and classy."

Bill Murray said the speech focused on love but also seemed to indicate a change ahead for Foster. "I back Jodie wherever she's going with this," he said.

And Amy Poehler, who co-hosted the Golden Globes with longtime friend and fellow comedian Tina Fey, cracked as she was signing off for the night: "We're going home with Jodie Foster!"

Ricky Martin, who came out as gay in 2010, wrote on Twitter:

Jody Foster On your terms. Its your time! Not before nor after. Its when it feels right!

-- Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) January 14, 2013

Other tweets, by TV host Rosie O'Donnell:

jodie foster - rather amazing speech

-- Rosie O'Donnell (@Rosie) January 14, 2013

Comedian Kathy Griffin:

I'm a big #JodieFoster fan, especially 2nite. Her speech tells LGBT youth: America has evolved, b proud of who u are!!

-- Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) January 14, 2013

Actress Emmy Rossum:

Jodie Foster is an inspiration. Incredible speaker. So moving.

-- Emmy Rossum (@emmyrossum) January 14, 2013

Actor Alan Cumming:

Aww Jodie foster, I would like to be your friend

-- Alan Cumming (@Alancumming) January 14, 2013

Actress Kat Dennings:

KEEP SECRETS, Y'ALL #jodiefoster

-- Kat Dennings (@OfficialKat) January 14, 2013

Former MLB player Jose Canseco:

Wow Jodie Foster at goldenglobes makes me want to join the lesbians

-- Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) January 14, 2013

Mo Rocca:

I feel that the Jodie Foster-Mel Gibson friendship sends a powerful message: People are complicated. #WorkingThroughJodie

-- Mo Rocca (@MoRocca) January 14, 2013

But not all Twitter traffic was complimentary. Writer Bret Easton Ellis tweeted that Foster appeared drunk, "killed off her mother," and distilled her speech to " 'I want all of the good stuff and none of the bad stuff!' What is she? A three year-old lesbian?"

The Hollywood hypocrisy is complete: Jodie Foster accepts her Lifetime Achievement award at The GG's and then demands PUBLIC PRIVACY...

-- Bret Easton Ellis (@BretEastonEllis) January 14, 2013

[Supermom60]

I think that it is up to Ms. Foster as to how she chooses to live her life, but I am not sure if the Golden Globes was the place to disclose her lifestyle. However the way things are in the times and the world-with the gay and lesbian population and the civil rights they want and expect, I guess anything nothing comes as a surprise. However we will all have to give an account for the way that we choose to live our lives. GOD does live and we will face him one day. It is up to us all the decisions we make, and the impact of those decisions in which we will have to live-in this world and in the next.

[MOSLEYD42]

When the the heart is not filled with the vital energies of love and harmony, no amount money , fame or power can keep it tranguil. An empty heart creates an empty life. Jodie is crying out for freedom.

[jgnv]

An empty heart? You must be kidding! This woman very eloquently announced to her piers and television viewers alike that she is a very happy, content, confident woman who is proud of her "modern family". I don't understand how you can say she has an empty heart or an empty life. Crying out for freedom? From what exactly? This is a successful woman who has achieved more than any of us can possibly imagine. She exudes confidence while fiercely protecting her privacy which is commendable. She said in her acceptance speech that she plans to continue to pursue more projects in the future and I have no doubt she will continue to make an impact on future film making for many years to come.

[SirNigel]

John Hinckley, Jr. was not happy about the speech: http://hollywoodandswine.com/john-hinckley-jr-furious-to-discover-jodie-foster-is-gay-32-years-too-late/

[51saint]

I don't think Jodie Foster was trying to make a big deal of her sexuality, in fact, I think she was trying to say, it's not that important and has nothing to do with this award. Her acting capability is what should be honored (she is an amazing actress!) not who she prefers to sleep with. I think her speech was dignified and appropriate for the occasion. As most intelligent people are, she doesn't like the popular trend in putting on anyone that can and will disgust the American public. The more disgusting, it seems, the better the public seems to like it, sad. She is a proud, smart and somewhat regal entertainer to be respected and have her WORK honored, period!

[bonjupatten]

If being gay had nothing to do with the award why did she "try" to mention it? Her acting is NOT in question here. If she wants privacy she went into the wrong field. BTW, she cheated on her 15 year relationship and that is why she is lonely and single now. Just saying. She had absolutely nothing to lose by coming out and she still couldn't do it. Sometimes actors need scripts.

[bones1944]

Wasn't this news about 20 years ago. Why is it news now?

[TimeToEvolve]

I think it is news because of the current push for marriage equality. Gays and lesbian have had to live their whole lives with antiquated and backward views of them.

It is the same as us trying to understand that minorities in our country have had to and still deal with mindless racist twits all day long.

[SickofHollywood]

I used to admire Ms. Foster but not so sure anymore. Her sexual perference needs to be kept out of her profession. If you are a lesbian Ok fine but really I don't need to know about your personal life as you don't need to know about my personal life. For some reason it's suppose to be OK for you to cram your life style down my throat but I am not suppose to oppose it by stating my views on your life style. In order that we may all get along just keep information not needed out of the media. By the way I could tell you were not straight all along. Yes I have lesgar!!! Hahaha

[FreezerburnGriddlecakes]

Whatever "lesgar" is, I hope it isn't contagious, as you are clearly delusional. Perhaps it was brought on by some of that stuff being crammed down your throat.

[bonjupatten]

It's Gaydar *******. No one is pushing an agenda down your throat.

[donottrustdems]

A fine actress and a great human being.

[enough-already]

It's a given that Jodie Foster is intelligent, talented, rich and lesbian. She has been on the inside of Hollywood for 47 years, and has made a lot of connections with rich, powerful people. Those rich, powerful people are the ones that produce and attend the Golden Globes. The speeches are for the recipients to express their gratitude to the establishment that made them rich and famous. If this rich, talented, intelligent lesbian chose to make a rambling, sometimes funny, sometimes embarrassing speech, that's her decision. Get over it, the rest of the world will.

[TJphoto]

A1.....1st Class......Four Stars. It was a stand up moment. You go Girl

[marychgo]

I think Atrius at Eschaton has it right: we need to realize there are TWO kinds of "celebrities."
Some "celebrities" (actors, athletes, even some politicians) have to spend time with the press to promote their latest efforts, but do their best to live normal lives, outside the spotlight, when they're not in the middle of a promotion campaign. Other "celebrities" don't seem to be happy if they're NOT in the spotlight; if they're not promoting a current project, they're embroiled in a feud or acting out at a club or otherwise keeping the paparazzi busy.
All I expect from Category 1 "celebrities" is a skillful, professional performance; they absolutely have a right to privacy about their personal lives. As for Category 2 "celebrities," they seem to have willingly given up any right to privacy; sadly, many of them don't seem to have a heckuva lot to offer in terms of skillful, professional performance....