Red carpet interviewer blasted for 'very awkward' interview with Ariana Grande at Golden Globes

Variety reporter Marc Malkin has faced criticism online for his Golden Globes interview with Ariana Grande.

The 82nd Golden Globes Awards took place last night (January 5) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

The awards ceremony saw the first ever woman to host the Golden Globes solo, with comedian Nikki Glaser taking to the stage.

However, before the ceremony really kicked off in full swing, one red carpet interviewer piqued the attention of social media users after a rather 'uncomfortable' interaction with Wicked star Ariana Grande.

Grande was nominated for her role as Glinda in the 2024 musical fantasy movie and took to the red carpet wearing a pale yellow gown with a beaded bodice, from the Haute Couture S/S 1966 collection by Hubert de Givenchy and was purchased from Rita Watnick-owned LILY et Cie, People reports.

In her red carpet interview with Variety's senior culture and events editor, Marc Malkin, Grande revealed the dress was inspired by the yellow brick road in the movie and the color being 'one of Glinda's favorite colors'.

After discussing the musician's outfit, Malkin moved on to asking about her preparations for the ceremony and what song Grande was listening to while getting ready.

The star noted they 'were all just giggling and talking,' but Malkin pushes on, asking her if there's one song to sum up the day, adding: "I want you to sing for me a little bit."

He continues: "I want a little song. I'll sing with you."

When Grande asks what the host wants to sing, he begins Carole King's 'You've Got A Friend,' despite Grande beginning to sing 'One Short Day' from Wicked.

"Okay, you're there. I'm still in Oz," the actor notes, before graciously applauding Malkin for his brief rendition of several words of the Carole King song.

However, the moment hasn't gone unnoticed by social media users who've flocked online to weigh in on Malkin's approach to the interview.

Variety's @marcmalkin sings for Ariana Grande. https://t.co/MYdYslreH8 pic.twitter.com/XKDXSwrwov

— Variety (@Variety) January 6, 2025

One Twitter user said: "Marc Malkin is so cringe. Stop making everyone uncomfortable by making them sing."

"Marc malkin stop asking people to sing on the red carpet interview," another added, while a third wrote: "marc malkin's so bad at this dude, i really feel like he's on the same level as those tiktok influencer press junkets."

Responding to a clip of Malkin going on to interview fellow Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, a fourth added: "The way he clearly doesn't know the words (nor has he seen wicked)."

And a final resolved: "I'm sure he's a very nice man and his dinner parties are exquisite but i'm beginning to think we should stop letting marc malkin on red carpets."

Maybe he was just having an off day eh?

UNILAD has contacted Variety for comment.