Meryl Streep and Lorenzo Soria Golden Globes

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HFPA President Lorenzo Soria wrote Meryl Streep a delightful thank you note on Tuesday for her “defense of free expression” in her poignant and pointed speech during Sunday’s Golden Globes.

“We stand proudly behind our choice, and we applaud your 40 years of captivating work. You’re a class act, in and out of character,” Soria told the Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient in the email obtained by TheWrap.

Streep referenced President-Elect Donald Trump in her now-historic speech without even mentioning his name — prompting praise from Hollywood and criticism from conservatives.

Also Read: Late-Night Hosts Have a Ball With Donald Trump-Meryl Streep Feud (Video)

“Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. And when the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose,” Streep said in the live, nationally-televised acceptance of the honorary award.

The speech sparked a national conversation that has included MMA fighters, Hollywood cheerleaders, critiques of Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn’s sulk faces, and tweets from the president-elect himself.

Soria, the man whose organization gave Streep the stage, reached out to the star directly on Tuesday.

Read his full note below.

Also Read: Hollywood Heaps Praise on Meryl Streep's Anti-Trump Speech: 'True Inspiration'

Dear Meryl,

Congratulations once again on being the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient. We stand proudly behind our choice, and we applaud your 40 years of captivating work. You’re a class act, in and out of character.

As an organization of journalists, the HFPA stands by your defense of free expression and we reject any calls for censorship.

We thank you for your unwavering support for the arts.

With gratitude and respect,

Lorenzo Soria

President

Hollywood Foreign Press Association

14 People Donald Trump Has Called 'Overrated' on Twitter (Photos)

After her Golden Globe acceptance speech, Meryl Streep was the latest person to be called "overrated" by President-elect Donald Trump. But before her, there were many others who fell victim -- some were even called the "O" word more than once.
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Barack Obama

"Barack Obama is not who you think he is. Most overrated politician in US history."

Tweeted Oct. 15, 2012
Comedy Central
Karl Rove

"Donald Trump on Mark Levin: Karl Rove is one of the most overrated people in politics."

Tweeted Feb. 24, 2013
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Jerry Seinfeld

"@kanikagahlaut: Can anyone explain why @JerrySeinfeld is so unfunny on twitter and @realDonaldTrump is so funny?" Jerry is highly overrated"

Tweeted Apr 14, 2013
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Jon Stewart

"I promise you that I'm much smarter than Jonathan Leibowitz - I mean Jon Stewart @TheDailyShow. Who, by the way, is totally overrated."

Tweeted Apr. 24, 2013
CBS
Megyn Kelly

"Do you ever notice that lightweight @megynkelly constantly goes after me but when I hit back it is totally sexist. She is highly overrated!"

Tweeted Sept. 22, 2015
Fox News
George Will

"George Will may be the dumbest(and most overrated) political commentator of all time. If the Republicans listen to him, they will lose."

Tweeted May 27, 2012
Wikipedia
Charles Krauthammer

"Do you believe that highly overrated political pundit @krauthammer said this is the best Republican field in 35 years. What a dope!"

Tweeted July 9, 2015
Twitter
Marco Rubio

"Marco Rubio is a total lightweight who I wouldn’t hire to run one of my smaller companies - a highly overrated politician!"

Tweeted Nov. 9, 2015
Debbie Wasserman Schultz

"I always said that Debbie Wasserman Schultz was overrated. The Dems Convention is cracking up and Bernie is exhausted, no energy left!"

Tweeted July 24, 2016
Bill Clinton

"No matter what Bill Clinton says and no matter how well he says it, the phony media will exclaim it to be incredible. Highly overrated!"

Tweeted July 26, 2016
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"Hamilton"

"The cast and producers of Hamilton, which I hear is highly overrated, should immediately apologize to Mike Pence for their terrible behavior"

Tweeted Nov. 20, 2016
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Richard Meier

"@Richard_Meier, a highly overrated architect, has had many problems with buildings he designed downtown--& others!"

Tweeted Oct. 11, 2013
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Hillary Clinton (sorta)

"Crooked Hillary's brainpower is highly overrated.Probably why her decision making is so bad or, as stated by Bernie S, she has BAD JUDGEMENT"

Tweeted Aug. 29, 2016
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Meryl Streep

"Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesn't know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes. She is a....."

Tweeted Jan. 9, 2017
NBC

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Meryl Streep was the president-elect’s latest target

After her Golden Globe acceptance speech, Meryl Streep was the latest person to be called "overrated" by President-elect Donald Trump. But before her, there were many others who fell victim -- some were even called the "O" word more than once.

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