Why Did Adolescence Star Owen Cooper Say 'You'll Never Walk Alone' In Golden Globes 2026 Speech? PS - It Has A Football Connect

Adolescence star Owen Cooper has created history at the Golden Globes. When the 16-year-old British actor walked up to the stage to accept his first-ever Globe, it was already a moment drenched in emotion.

But it was the final line of his speech – “Bring on 2026, you’ll never walk alone” – that has left the moment truly sealed as it has gone viral on the world wide web. But why? Cooper had just won Best Supporting Actor on Television for his widely praised performance in Netflix’s critically acclaimed drama Adolescence. As his co-stars watched on, many visibly emotional, the young actor delivered a speech that was equal parts heartfelt, humble and endearingly self-aware.

Owen Cooper’s Golden Globes Acceptance Speech

“Standing here at the Golden Globes, it does not feel real whatsoever,” Cooper said, as the room erupted into laughter. Reflecting on his journey, he spoke about the risks he took early on, including joining drama classes despite feeling out of place. “I was the only boy there. It was embarrassing, but I got through it,” he said with a grin, acknowledging that he still considers himself “very much an apprentice,” learning from those who inspired him.

While the speech itself resonated with its honesty, it was his closing words that sparked a wave of reactions online. So why did Owen Cooper end his Golden Globes moment with “You’ll Never Walk Alone”?

The Football Connection Explained

The phrase is far more than a poetic sign-off. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is one of the most iconic football anthems in the world and is inseparably linked to Liverpool Football Club. Sung passionately by fans at Anfield since the early 1960s, the song has come to symbolise unity, resilience and hope — not just for the club, but for the city of Liverpool itself.

Cooper, who grew up in Warrington, England, has been open about being a devoted Liverpool FC supporter. For him, the line wasn’t just a catchy farewell; it was a deeply personal nod to home, heritage and the sense of collective belief that carried him to this moment. The anthem has accompanied Liverpool over the years through triumphs and heartbreaks alike and has become a cultural emblem far beyond football.Cooper’s words felt like a quiet tribute to his roots, family, and the people who stood by him as he navigated an unlikely path from drama classes to the Golden Globes stage.

Owen Cooper: A Star In The Making

The Golden Globe win is only the latest milestone in what has been a remarkable awards season for the teenage actor. Cooper previously won Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie at the 2025 Emmys, and added a Critics’ Choice Award to his growing collection just days before the Globes.

Owen Cooper beat seasoned actors like Billy Crudup (The Morning Show), Jason Isaacs (The White Lotus), and Walton Goggins (The White Lotus) to take home the nod in the Best Supporting Actor - Television category. At 16, he surpassed the previous record held by Chris Colfer, who won at age 20 in 2010 for Glee, making Cooper the youngest winner ever in that category for Adolescence.