Ricky Gervais Calls Out Celebs for Turning Awards Into Political Rants

Ricky Gervais is back at it, taking shots at Hollywood stars after the 2026 Grammy Awards. The comedian, 64, shared a clip from his 2020 Golden Globes monologue on X, where he told actors not to turn their award speeches into political lectures. Alongside the video, Gervais added a laughing emoji and wrote, “They’re still not listening.”

They're still not listening 😂 pic.twitter.com/Ol5SIT09Mq

— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) February 2, 2026

The comedian’s post was a direct reaction to a night where several of music’s biggest names used their moments in the spotlight to protest immigration enforcement. If you do win an award tonight, don’t use it as a political platform to make a political speech, Gervais advised in the recirculated 2020 clip. You’re in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.

Despite his warning, the 2026 Grammys were a hotbed of activism. Stars like Billie Eilish, Justin and Hailey Bieber, and Jack Antonoff arrived wearing “ICE Out” pins. Eilish, who took home Song of the Year for “Wildflower,” used her speech to explicitly condemn current immigration policies. No one is illegal on stolen land, she told the crowd, adding that it is important to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting.

Bad Bunny, the night’s big winner for Album of the Year, also joined the chorus of dissent. After declaring ICE out! during his acceptance, he offered a heartfelt plea for empathy toward the immigrant community. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans, he said. Other winners like Olivia Dean and Shaboozey also used their time to honor their heritage, with Shaboozey stating that immigrants built this country, literally.

While Gervais’ critique of such speeches has become a recurring social media tradition, the comedian himself is coming off a massive professional high. In January, he won the Golden Globe for Best Stand-Up Performance for his latest Netflix special, Mortality. Although he did not attend the ceremony, the special became a global hit, reaching number one in several countries and solidifying his status as a titan of the stage.

Looking ahead, Gervais is moving into the world of animation with his next major Netflix project, Alley Cats. The six-part series, set to debut later in 2026, features many of his After Life co-stars and follows a group of feral cats ruminating on life.

He has hinted that this could be his final television sitcom as he shifts his primary focus to live performance. He is currently testing new material at London’s Leicester Square Theatre for his upcoming world tour, cheekily titled Legend.

Gervais remains a polarizing figure in the entertainment industry, often clashing with critics over his “anti-woke” material while maintaining a massive, loyal audience. When he isn’t touring or filming, he continues to advocate for animal rights from his home in Hampstead. As he prepares to take Legend across global arenas, it is clear that Gervais has no intention of following the same advice he gives to other celebrities.

Please share your thoughts on Ricky’s comments and the political speeches at the Grammys in the comments.