The red carpet is usually a sea of diamonds and designer labels, but at the 83rd Golden Globes, a small, black and white accessory became the most talked-about thing of the night. Amidst the glamour, a powerful message of solidarity and protest emerged when many stars chose to wear statement pins.
The pins, bearing the slogans “Ice Out” and “Be Good,” were worn in memory of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother who was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this week. The subtle but unmistakable protest introduced a sharp political dimension to a ceremony that had been relatively apolitical in recent years.
stars standing in solidarity
On the red carpet and during the ceremony’s most important moments, the pins were seen on some of the biggest names of the evening. Mark Ruffalo, Wanda Sykes and Natasha Lyonne were among the first to debut the pin during their red-carpet arrivals, making sure the message was captured by photographers around the world. Ariana Grande was also once seen wearing a “Be Good” pin inside the Beverly Hilton Ballroom. Additionally, actor Jean Smart also wore the pin prominently on her dress as she accepted the Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Musical or Comedy Series. hacks,
Who is ICE and why do Hollywood celebrities wear this pin?
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security. Formed in 2003 after the 9/11 attacks, its primary mission is to enforce US immigration laws and investigate cross-border criminal activity. Today, ICE is the lead agency responsible for the U.S. government’s deportation initiatives.
This activism by actors against the agency follows the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother who was shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. Good was reportedly returning after dropping her son off at school when she was encountered by immigration officers. As she tried to flee, one of the agents fired three shots through her windshield, seriously injuring her, according to footage shared on social media.
This incident, along with the recent expansion of ICE’s deportation operations, has sparked nationwide protests. By wearing these pins, Hollywood celebrities used their global platform to demand accountability and justice for not only Renee, but all immigrants to the United States.
How did the pin reach the party?
The campaign was not the result of a major Hollywood PR firm, but was a grassroots effort that began with a late-night text. Organizers Nelinie Stamp (Working Families Power) and Jess Morales Rocketto (Latino advocacy group Maremoto) reached out to their networks to bring the issue to the world stage.
“We need civil society, every part of society, to speak up,” Nellini Stamp said. “We need our artists. We need our entertainers. We need people who reflect society.” He added, “There’s a long tradition of people who create art and stand up for justice in a matter of moments. We’re going to continue that tradition.”
The “Ice Out” pin reached the ceremony through a whisper campaign at pre-awards parties. Associates distributed the pins to attendees in a remarkably low-tech way: putting them in purses and asking peers to show their support. “They put it in their purse and say, ‘Hey would you wear this?’ It’s very grassroots,” Morales Rocketto said.
Organizers have pledged that this is only the beginning. They intend to campaign throughout the awards season to ensure that the names of those killed in recent enforcement operations are not forgotten by the public.