The Golden Globes host Jerrod Carmichael stunned the crowd after making a Scientology joke about Tom Cruise.
On Tuesday night (January 10), the 35-year-old comedian took a sharp aim at the 60-year-old Top Gun: Maverick actor - who has been a prominent member of the Church of Scientology for 30 years.
Before introducing the actor's co-stars Glenn Powell and Jay Ellis, Carmichael mentioned that last year, Cruise returned the gold trophies he won in the past amid a boycott of the awards' organizers - the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
Back in 2021, the controversy followed a scandal about the lack of Black voters in the organization and a separate ethics exposé, according to the Independent.
Watch the moment below:Halfway through the award ceremony, Carmichael returned on stage and said: "Backstage, I found these three Golden Globe awards that Tom Cruise returned."
The comic then continued his speech and brutally added: "I'm just the host… but I have a pitch. I think maybe we take these three things and exchange them for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige."
For those unaware, Shelly, 61, is a member of the Church of Scientology and is the wife of the leader David Miscavige. She has become a subject on social media after she was not seen publicly since 2007.
According to the New York Post, ex-Scientologist and actress Leah Remini claimed that Miscavige is missing and even filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department back in 2013.
Despite all the speculation, the Church of Scientology maintained that Miscavige is living a private life and even the LAPD closed the case after receiving the 52-year-old detractor's complaint.
On Tuesday, Remini was quick to share the video of Carmichael's lethal joke on her social media page and wrote: "Thank you, Jerrod Carmichael! Where is Shelly??"
Many other users also shared their responses to the host's remarks, with one writing: "Jerrod Carmichael brought out three golden globes 'returned by Tom Cruise' and said, 'how about we exchange these for the safe return of Shelly Miscavige?' ...just before two Top Gun actors took the stage to talk about how much they love Tom."
Another user praised the comedian and said: "Jerrod Charmichael is the GOAT for that Tom Cruise/Shelly Miscavage joke. That. Was. A. Perfect. Joke."
A third person noted: "Jerrod Carmichael Cruise/Scientology gag right before that Tom Cruise/Maverick tribute from his cast mates is my brand of petty."
Lastly, a fourth commented: "Jerrod Carmichael bringing up the disappearance of Shelly Miscavige in the same sentence as tom cruise & a room full of Scientologists is INSANE. They never inviting him back. I'm obsessed with him for that."
Meanwhile, the Top Gun stars walked on stage after Carmichael's joke and remained positive by reading out their pre-written speech about acting with the Mission Impossible star.
They also proceeded to present the award for best supporting actress in a television series as if the stand-up comedian didn't savagely quip about their famed co-star on live TV.