Dwayne Johnson, Chase Infiniti and Other First-Time Nominees Celebrate at Golden Globes Luncheon (Exclusive Photos)

Eight stars of film, TV, stand-up and podcasts were celebrated at the Golden Globes’ second annual First-Time Nominees Luncheon on Wednesday at the Maybourne Beverly Hills hotel — where they posed for individual portraits and a group shot exclusively for The Hollywood Reporter.

Old pals and frequent costars Dwayne Johnson (best actor in a film drama for The Smashing Machine) and Kevin Hart (best performance in standup comedy on TV for Kevin Hart: Acting My Age) caught up at the gathering. A trio of stars of Apple television shows were also on hand: Pluribus’s Rhea Seehorn (best actress in a TV drama) and Severance’s Britt Lower (best actress in a TV drama) and Tramell Tillman (best TV supporting actor).

“I grew up in a small farm town, so I didn’t become aware of the Golden Globes until later in life,” Lower said. “But it’s a huge honor to be named amongst such incredible nominees. And it’s been wonderful to experience this with Tramell, who’s family to me.”

Two of 2025’s breakthrough stars were also in attendance: Chase Infiniti (best actress in a film musical or comedy for One Battle After Another) and Eva Victor (best actress in a film drama for Sorry, Baby).

Infiniti gushed, “I’ve grown up watching the Golden Globes, especially with my parents, but getting to be nominated? I can’t wrap my head around it still.” Added Victor, “I am very excited because I do find the energy in these rooms, so far, to be very inspiring, and to be in a room, even nearby, many filmmakers that I have long admired and to hear them talk, to watch them celebrate and to celebrate with them? It’s so inspiring as a first-time filmmaker.”

The sole representative of the inaugural class of nominees for best podcast was Monica Padman, co-host of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. Padman told THR, “I’m honored on behalf of all podcasters.  I think it’s very special [to have this new Golden Globe category], and I do think podcasts have become a form of entertainment in a similar way as film and television. People take it in the same way and have their characters and all of the things. So I think it’s awesome.”

Also at the event — which was hosted by Helen Hoehne, the president of the Golden Globes organization — were several others who were first-time nominees in a specific field (film vs. TV) or category. Wagner Moura was previously nominated for the TV show Narcos, but this year, he is up for best actor in a film drama for The Secret Agent. “We grew up watching the Golden Globes in Brazil — it was a big deal there — so to be nominated for a Brazilian film? It’s such a special feeling for me,” he said.

Jalen Thomas Brooks represented drama series nominee The Pitt and actor Damson Idris came on behalf of F1: The Movie, which counts among its two noms one for best cinematic/box-office achievement.

“I love box office movies,” he professed. “That’s what I grew up on. I went to the cinema. I looked left and right and there were people there of all ages, all backgrounds, all walking out with a big smile on their face. And that’s how we felt making F1. So I’m really excited and yeah, hopefully we take it home!”

The 2026 Golden Globes, hosted by returning emcee Nikki Glaser, air live on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 5 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+.

Golden Globes producer Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge that also owns The Hollywood Reporter.

Check out the photos below: