Today Hoda & Jenna Angry About Golden Globes Snub Of Director Jon Chu

The 2025 Golden Globes delivered both thrilling and unexpected moments. Among the highlights, the musical film Wicked garnered significant acclaim. However, it left many fans and critics puzzled when Jon M. Chu, the film’s director, was excluded from the Best Director category.

On December 9, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager discussed this snub on their show, Today with Hoda & Jenna. While they applauded Wicked for earning major nominations—such as Best Motion Picture, Best Actress for Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), and Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande (Glinda)—they expressed disbelief over Chu’s omission, calling it a major oversight.

Why Jon M. Chu Deserved Recognition

Hoda Kotb described Wicked as a “visual masterpiece,” emphasizing the immense effort Chu invested in the project. Jenna Bush Hager echoed these sentiments, praising the film’s vibrant and stunning aesthetics.

Both hosts highlighted how Wicked revived the grandeur of classic Hollywood musicals through its dazzling visuals, memorable music, and intricate choreography. They attributed much of this success to Chu’s visionary direction.

Kotb and Bush Hager were baffled by Chu’s absence from the nominees. Jenna humorously quipped, “If we could call someone at the Golden Globes — which we can’t because we don’t know anybody — we would be calling them right now.”

The hosts even offered an on-air apology to Chu, with Hoda predicting that his exceptional work would not go unnoticed by the Academy, confidently stating, “He’s going to get an Oscar nomination for sure … I mean, that’s a given.”

Wicked’s Remarkable Achievements

Despite the snub, Wicked has achieved phenomenal success. The film grossed $114 million in the U.S. and Canada during its opening weekend and an additional $50.2 million internationally, totaling $164.2 million worldwide. It also set a record as the fastest-grossing Broadway adaptation in just eight days.

Jon M. Chu has not allowed this omission to overshadow the movie’s triumphs. He celebrated its nominations on social media, commending his cast and crew for their contributions. Fans remain optimistic that the Oscars will acknowledge his artistic vision.

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Other Notable Exclusions

Jon M. Chu wasn’t the only director who failed to make the cut. Denis Villeneuve, director of Dune: Part Two, was also left out, prompting actor Josh Brolin to declare, “If he doesn’t get nominated this year, I’ll quit acting.”

The Best Director category instead featured names like Jacques Audiard (Emilia Pérez), Sean Baker (Anora), and Edward Berger (Conclave), among others.

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