Jodie Foster stuns with confessional Golden Globes speech

 

Delivering a rambling and confessional speech, Jodie Foster, honored for the Cecil B. DeMille award for lifetime achievement in film at the 70th Annual Golden Globes, addressed rumors that she is a lesbian. She said, “I’m just going to put it out there, loud and proud, right? I am…single. I’m kidding.”
She added that she did her coming out to friends a long time ago (though not in a public forum), acknowledged she had a female partner when she thanked Cydney Bernard, who she also called out as the co-parent of their children.

[ Gallery: Red carpet report card ]

“I already did my coming out about a thousand years ago back in the Stone Age, in those very quaint days when a fragile young girl would open up to trusted friends and family and co-workers and then gradually, proudly to everyone who knew her, to everyone she actually met. But now apparently I'm told that every celebrity is to honor the details of their private life with a press conference, a fragrance and a primetime reality show," said Foster, before mentioning Bernard.

Photo of Cydney Bernard, who Foster thanked in her speech."There is no way I could ever stand here without acknowledging one of the deepest loves of my life, my heroic co-parent, my ex-partner in love but righteous soul sister in life, my confessor, ski buddy, consigliore, most beloved BFF of 20 years, Cydney Bernard. Thank you, Cyd. I am so proud of our modern family. Our amazing sons, Charlie and Kit, who are my reason to breathe and to evolve, my blood and soul. And boys, in case you didn’t know it, this song, all of this, this song is for you.”

[ Related: Full transcript of Foster's speech ]

Bringing many to tears, Foster, who has been on camera most of her life as an actress and a director, suggested her career will be changing: “I’m never going to be up on this stage again. I will continue to tell stories, but from now on, I may be holding a different talking stick.”
Jodie Foster later cleared things up in the pressroom and said she is not retiring. The 50-year-old added, “Jodie Foster is still here, I still am, and I want to be seen to be understood, deeply and to not be so very lonely.”
After her confessional speech, celebrities took to Twitter to show support. Kathy Griffin gave her a “well done Lady” commendation. Rosie O’Donnell, who came out in 2002, wrote: “jodie foster – rather amazing speech.” Jesse Tyler Ferguson, of “Modern Family,” wrote: “Jodie Foster. You are perfection. I love you.” Ricky Martin wrote: “Jody Foster On your terms. Its your time! Not before nor after. Its when it feels right!” Even the hosts showed their love, via a joke (naturally). “We’re going home with Jodie Foster,” Amy Poehler said as she and Tina Fey signed off for the night.