Last night, on January 5, heavy metal music made a surprising appearance on mainstream television during the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, thanks to comedian Nikki Glaser. While introducing the legendary actress Glenn Close, who was set to present the award for Best Motion Picture — Drama, Glaser cleverly incorporated a humorous reference to the iconic band System of a Down. This unexpected joke caught the attention of Daron Malakian, the band’s guitarist, who later shared his thoughts on social media, amplifying the moment.

In her engaging introduction, Glaser highlighted Close’s impressive accomplishments, seamlessly weaving in a playful nod to System of a Down. She enthusiastically stated, “To present our next award please welcome, from Netflix’s Back in Action, three-time Golden Globe Award winner, Hollywood icon, and former drummer for System of a Down — Glenn Close,” showcasing her comedic talent and the unique crossover of entertainment worlds.

Malakian took to Instagram to share a clip of Glaser’s introduction, adding his own humor to the mix. He quipped, “Bet you didn’t know! Somewhere between our first drummer [Ontronik Khachaturian] and John [Dolmayan], Glenn Close was tearing shit up on the drums for us!” This playful jest sparked a wave of laughter among fans, although some appeared genuinely puzzled, mistakenly believing there was a grain of truth to the statement.

Many fans quickly engaged with Malakian’s post, enjoying the humor, while others expressed their surprise and confusion. One comment read, “Wait what?” indicating that not everyone was in on the joke. This highlights the power of social media in creating entertaining moments that resonate with a broad audience, blending the worlds of comedy and rock music.

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Adding to the evening’s excitement, Close, renowned for her role as Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians and many other celebrated performances, had a moment during her speech that required censorship due to her colorful language. After referencing a letter from the late Hollywood icon Katharine Hepburn about their shared “terrifying profession,” she boldly proclaimed, “We are all so fucking blessed and lucky,” a statement that caught the attention of viewers and prompted on-air edits, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.

Despite not being a real member of System of a Down, Glenn Close continues to be a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, showcasing her versatility and charisma. Her ability to captivate an audience, even in a lighthearted moment, speaks volumes about her status as a Hollywood icon.

In other notable news from the Golden Globe Awards, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and Atticus Ross celebrated their third award win, taking home Best Original Score (Motion Picture) for their exceptional work on the film Challengers. This recognition further solidifies their place in the realm of film music composition, highlighting the significant contributions of rock musicians to cinematic storytelling.