Natalie Portman labelled a 'hero' for calling out Golden Globes sexism

Natalie Portman quietly nailed one of the best moments of the night at this year's Golden Globes and the internet is loving her for it.

The star joined Ron Howard on stage to present the award for best director of a motion picture, following a rousing speech by Cecil B. De Mille honouree Oprah Winfrey who had promised girls and young women watching the show that "a new day is on the horizon".

And when it came time to announce those vying for the best director award, Portman, who wore black in support of the Time's Up movement, pointedly observed: "And here are the all male nominees....." the Daily Mail reports.

The crowd cheered and the five nominated directors had the grace to look somewhat sheepish in the aftermath.

In the end, the award for best director went to Guillermo Del Toro for The Shape Of Water.

He beat out Martin McDonagh for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Christopher Nolan for Dunkirk, Ridley Scott for All the Money in the World and Steven Spielberg for The Post.

Twitter swiftly reacted in praise of the actress for driving home a point that had been the theme of the whole evening - that women are not treated equally in Hollywood.

Most of the female celebrities who attended the event at the Beverly Hilton wore black to show support for Time's Up, an initiative that seeks to promote equality, wage parity and inclusion and also has established a legal defense fund for victims of sexual assault.

"Me and my friends just bawled out eyes out at Oprah's speech. Then Natalie Portman was like HOLD MY BEER," tweeted on female account user.

Another tweeted: "I couldn't believe someone had to immediately follow Oprah and then Natalie Portman comes through with that."

Some of Portman's fellow actresses also chimed in with Mindy Kaling tweeting: "Yas Natalie Get Em Girl."

Only one woman has ever won the Golden Globes award for film directing in the show's 75 year history. That was Barbra Streisand who won in 1984 for her film Yentl.

The musical movie also won the Golden Globe for best picture.