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It’s awards season, darlings, and the National Board of Review (NBR) just gave us all the tea we needed to spice up our group chats!
The big winner? Wicked, Universal Pictures’ spellbinding musical, which snagged Best Picture and Best Director for Jon M. Chu.
But hold onto your glittered hats, because the real show-stopper is our favorite Bond-turned-queer-acting-icon, Daniel Craig, who just waltzed away with NBR’s Best Actor prize for his stunning turn in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer.
Now let’s talk about Craig in Queer.
Under Guadagnino’s masterful direction, Daniel gives us his most vulnerable, complex performance yet.
The film, based on William S. Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novel, follows William Lee (Craig), an expatriate grappling with love and addiction in 1950s Mexico City.
Forget the stoic, martini-drinking James Bond we’ve come to know—here, Craig’s raw, emotional portrayal is a revelation.
Critics and fans alike are already whispering “Oscar nomination,” and honestly, we’re crossing all our fingers and toes for him.
And while Craig’s turn in Queer is earning well-deserved accolades, it’s impossible not to celebrate another standout talent from this year’s cinematic landscape: gay actor Jonathan Bailey.
Bailey, who made hearts race in Bridgerton, brings his Broadway chops to the role of Fiyero in Wicked.
With his signature charm and smoldering looks, Bailey holds his own opposite Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda), adding depth to the beloved musical’s love triangle.
Sources from early screenings say Bailey’s chemistry with Erivo is electric, and his musical numbers? Pure magic.
+Related: Drew Starkey Says Queer Costar Daniel Craig Was a Dream
Both Craig and Bailey’s performances remind us why representation matters.
Craig, with his daring and unapologetic choices, shows the world that queer stories deserve to be front and center, while Bailey continues to inspire as an out gay actor thriving in Hollywood.
Their work challenges the industry to be bolder, queerer, and more inclusive.
With the NBR Awards Gala set for January 7, it’s officially champagne season for Queer and Wicked.
Whether it’s Daniel Craig redefining his legacy or Jonathan Bailey proving that triple threats still reign supreme, these men are giving us plenty to cheer for.
So here’s to Craig, Bailey, and all the incredible talent making this one of the queerest, most fabulous awards seasons yet.
If this is just the start, Oscars night might have us positively defying gravity!
+Related: Jonathan Bailey is Dashingly Shallow in New Wicked Teaser