Golden Globes 2023: Jerrod Carmichael’s shocking Tom Cruise joke

The Golden Globes host has made a truly shocking Tom Cruise gag onstage, leaving the entire audience visibly floored.

The joke was made just before Top Gun: Maverick stars hit the stage to present an award.

Golden Globes host Jerrod Carmichael has made a shocking Tom Cruise joke onstage, leaving the audience visibly stunned.

The US comedian launched a truly gobsmacking gag at the blockbuster movie star’s expense, calling out Cruise’s controversial links to the Church of Scientology.

The 35-year-old presenter was holding three Golden Globes, before telling the crowd he found the trophies backstage and that they had belonged to Cruise, 60, who famously returned them in 2021 after the association’s racism controversy.

Carmichael added: “I think maybe we take these three things and pay for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige.”

Cue excruciating, awkward silence.

#GoldenGlobes host Jerrod Carmichael makes a dig at Scientology: "Backstage, I found these three Golden Globe awards that Tom Cruise returned...I think maybe we take these three things and exchange them for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige." https://t.co/m069JEKekWpic.twitter.com/fw25ng5nU2

— Variety (@Variety) January 11, 2023

Carmichael is referencing the wife of Scientology leader David Miscavige, who disappeared suddenly under mysterious circumstances and hasn’t been seen since 2007, prompting a since-closed LAPD investigation. The church has maintained Shelly Miscavige is still alive, but is living a quiet life devoted to Scientology.

Cruise, a longtime Scientology devotee, was not present in the room to witness the moment.

Tom Cruise was not present. Picture: Han Myung-Gu/Getty Images

But in what was extremely unfortunate timing, his Top Gun: Maverick co-stars Glen Powell and Jay Ellis were then welcomed onstage to present an award.

The duo didn’t mention the gag, but did pay tribute to Cruise. You could cut the tension with a butter knife.

The joke was made just before Top Gun: Maverick stars Glen Powell and Jay Ellis hit the stage.

Viewers have flooded Twitter reacting in horror at watching the cringe-worthy live TV moment unfold.

Jerrod Carmichael risked being followed by scientology spies for the REST OF HIS LIFE for 1 minute of beautiful television, and I respect it. #GoldenGlobes

— Olivia Truffaut-Wong (@iWatchiAm) January 11, 2023

you know the church of Scientology runs that town cause that room got quiet as HELL https://t.co/gTmFE4OWay

— ethan ✨ (@thebeachb0y) January 11, 2023

Jerrod Carmichael calling out Scientology and Tom Cruise is 🤌🏽 #GoldenGlobes

— Jenny Yang in LA 1/20 & SF 1/28 (@jennyyangtv) January 11, 2023

Silence in the room for a Scientology joke

— amil (@amil) January 11, 2023

Jerrod Carmichael’s Scientology joke sucked the air out of the room #GoldenGlobespic.twitter.com/S4bsijk0n8

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 11, 2023

Cruise has been a member of the controversial religion, founded by American sci-fi author L Ron Hubbard, for decades.

The star was introduced to the church by his first wife Mimi Rogers, and ultimately became one of the religion’s biggest and most high profile supporters.

David Miscavige, who is still in charge of the church, was even best man at Cruise’s 2006 wedding to Katie Holmes.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes with Scientology leader and best friend David Miscavige in 2008. Picture: SplashNews.com Splash News

Their marriage later failed, with the US actress saying she wanted to protect their young daughter, Suri, from Scientology.

Meanwhile Cruise, who won the trophies for his roles in Born on the Fourth of July, Jerry Maguire and Magnolia, sent all three of his awards back to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s headquarters after a news article revealed the body had not a single Black journalist among its 80-strong membership – the people who vote for winners.