Rose Byrne Clarifies Golden Globes Reptile Expo Story, Reveals It Was For Her Children
Rose Byrne is setting the record straight about the unusual reason her partner, Bobby Cannavale, missed the 2026 Golden Globes. The actress, who won Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” on January 11th, initially surprised audiences by explaining Cannavale was attending a reptile expo in New Jersey to purchase a bearded dragon.
However, Byrne clarified in a recent interview with The New York Times that the story wasn’t intended to portray Cannavale as a reptile enthusiast. “Never in my life will I announce something like that on a major awards show again,” she said.
The true reason for Cannavale’s absence, Byrne explained, was for their two children. “Everyone was thinking it’s for Bobby. It’s not! It’s for our children,” she emphasized.
The story initially surfaced during an appearance on The Tonight Show, where Byrne joked that missing the reptile expo would be “such a parent fail,” as their sons had been promised the pet. She later told Extra that the family had successfully acquired the bearded dragon and that it was settling in well. “We’ve got the guy. He’s really cute, and it’s going well,” Byrne said.
Byrne and Cannavale have been together since 2012 and share two sons. While they often refer to each other as husband and wife, they have not officially married, according to a November report in The Washington Post.
Despite the distance, Cannavale and Byrne were able to briefly connect after the awards ceremony. Byrne shared that they had a quick FaceTime call, though the reception was poor. “It was super cute. He was crying, and he was adorable. I wish he was here, but my brother’s here,” she told Extra.
The couple’s decision to prioritize the reptile expo over the Golden Globes sparked considerable attention, with some questioning Cannavale’s priorities. Byrne’s recent clarification aims to refocus the narrative on the family’s commitment to their children and a long-awaited pet.
Cannavale was described as “doing God’s work” by Byrne in securing the bearded dragon, a sentiment she reiterated to Extra, adding, “This is easy.”
