Rose Byrne has explained why her partner, actor Bobby Cannavale, was absent during her Golden Globe win, attributing it to a family commitment rather than personal choice. The actress took home the award for best female actor in a musical or comedy at the Golden Globes, where she humorously revealed Cannavale’s reason for missing the event.
Why Bobby Cannavale Missed the Golden Globes
<pDuring her acceptance speech for her role in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Byrne surprised the audience by mentioning that Cannavale was not with her because “we’re getting a bearded dragon, and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey.” This offbeat explanation generated laughter but later left Byrne with some regret.
In an interview with The New York Times, Byrne clarified her feelings about sharing the moment live, admitting,
“Never in my life will I announce something like that on a major awards show again.”
She also wanted to correct misconceptions about Cannavale’s reason for attending the expo, emphasizing it was for their children, not for himself:
“Everyone was thinking it’s for Bobby. It’s not! It’s for our children. The children,”
Byrne said.
The Family’s New Pet and Its Impact
Byrne’s family did end up welcoming the bearded dragon, a detail she revealed during a later appearance on Today With Jenna & Sheinelle after earning her first Oscar nomination. She spoke fondly of the pet, describing it as,
“He’s so sweet. He’s so sweet,”
adding,
“We’re all smitten. The kids are happy, such a sweetie.”
Despite the joy, the family had yet to decide on a name for their new pet at that time.
Highlights from Rose Byrne’s Award Acceptance Speech
Byrne’s speech combined humor with sincere gratitude, reflecting her surprise at winning. She joked about the modest budget and short filming schedule for the movie, saying,
“We shot this in 25 days for like $8.50,”
and,
“Thank you so much. This is like a tiny film so it’s a huge deal to be here.”
She made sure to acknowledge her close family members, thanking her brother, mother, and father who watched the show from Sydney after subscribing to Paramount+. She also expressed affection for Cannavale despite his absence:
“My brother’s my date, thanks George! Thanks to my mom and dad who bought Paramount+ so they could watch the Golden Globes from Sydney. I want to thank my husband, Bobby Cannavale, who couldn’t be here because we’re getting a bearded dragon, and he went to a reptile expo in New Jersey. So thank you baby.”
Rose Byrne Reflects on the Award Moment
Winning the Golden Globe was unexpected for Byrne, who felt unprepared when called to the stage. She told The New York Times she was
“totally out of my depth and inarticulate”
without a prepared speech. After the ceremony, Byrne sent many messages apologizing for not acknowledging everyone she wanted to thank.
She shared a supportive exchange with Conan O’Brien, who reassured her:
“I was texting so many people later, saying, ‘I’m sorry, I forgot to say thank you to this person and that person,’”
Byrne recounted.
“And Conan [O’Brien] was like, ‘Shut up, it was great. No one wants to hear someone bang on for hours.’ He’s become an unofficial life coach. He’s lovely.”
The Film’s Availability and Byrne’s Growing Recognition
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You is currently available for streaming on HBO Max. Byrne’s Golden Globe victory marked a significant milestone in her career, bringing attention to a smaller film with an intense performance that has earned her further accolades, including an Oscar nomination. Her candid and humorous approach during the Golden Globes has resonated with audiences, illustrating the balancing act between public success and private family life.
