A singer with deep local roots took part in one of the biggest moments of the Golden Globe Awards Sunday night, as Rei Ami, a Germantown native, celebrated a win for Best Original Song tied to Netflix’s animated blockbuster KPop Demon Hunters.
The film’s hit track, “Golden,” earned the prestigious award, marking a major milestone not only for the movie but also for Rei Ami — born Sarah Lee — who grew up in Germantown and later graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park.
From Germantown to the Golden Globes
Rei Ami attended the ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, alongside fellow performers EJAE and Audrey Nuna, as KPop Demon Hunters took home two Golden Globe awards, including Best Animated Feature Film.
Though she did not speak during the onstage acceptance, the night was still memorable for the Montgomery County native. Rei Ami shared moments from the event on social media, including meeting Adam Sandler on the red carpet and cooking with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck during Golden Globes festivities.
Emotional Win Highlights Creative Journey
Accepting the award for Best Original Song, EJAE delivered an emotional speech about perseverance in the face of rejection — a message that resonated with many artists navigating the music industry.
“This award goes to people who had doors closed on them,” EJAE said. “Rejection is redirection.”
A Global Hit With Local Ties
Released in June, KPop Demon Hunters follows a fictional K-pop girl group secretly battling demons disguised as a rival band. The film has become Netflix’s most-watched movie ever, drawing more than 325 million views worldwide.
The success of “Golden” has mirrored the film’s popularity:
- Eight weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100
- Twenty weeks atop Billboard’s Global Excl. U.S. chart
- Continued international chart dominance
For Germantown residents, the song’s success represents a rare hometown connection to one of Hollywood’s biggest award stages.
Oscar Attention Next?
With a Golden Globe win secured, “Golden” is now expected to receive a Best Original Song nomination at the upcoming Academy Awards. Oscar nominations will be announced January 22, with the ceremony scheduled for March 15
