2012 Golden Globe Awards nominees rejoice at traditional BAFTA Tea Party

Hollywood is all set for Golden Globes 2012 and the much-awaited awards of the year will be even more glamorous this time around with superstars like George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie added to the hosts’ list.

However, before the Golden Globes every year, there is the BAFTA Tea Party held by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. This year was no different: on Saturday, BAFTA’s Los Angeles branch held its 18th Annual Awards Season Tea Party for the Golden Globe nominees.

As per tradition, the BAFTA Tea Party held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles was attended by who’s who of Tinseltown along with this year’s Golden Globe nominees. Best Actress nominees including Michelle Williams, Viola Davis, Meryl Streep and Charlize Theron were all present at the prestigious afternoon party, mingling with fellow filmmakers and nominees in the hotel ballroom.

Charlize Theron looked drop dead gorgeous as she arrived at the BAFTA party and reportedly, the Best Supporting Actress nominee Octavia Spencer was afraid to get too close lest she ruined her makeup.

Working actress Octavia Spencer, who was attending the exclusive party thanks to her breakthrough role in the critically-acclaimed film, "The Help," said she was overwhelmed by the honor that the film brought her. She added that she found the ensuing awards journey completely "surreal."

"Steven Spielberg had a conversation with me and when he walked away from the table, I started crying, because it's (meeting) people who've inspired me," Spencer shared. "The fact that I am, for these next couple weeks, getting to rub elbows with them – This coach is going to turn into a pumpkin in the next couple weeks, so I am living it up."

Meanwhile, at the party BAFTA Los Angeles Chairman Neil Stiles asked the guests to raise their champagne glasses and wish "the best of British luck" to the various Golden Globe nominees. Among the distinguished guests at the party were "The Artist" stars Berenice Bejo and Jean Dujardin, "Ides of March" star Evan Rachel Wood and Emily Watson of "War Horse."

Kenneth Branagh, who is a Best Supporting Actor contender for "My Week with Marilyn," said the BAFTA tea is a part of the whole experience of the Golden Globes.

"You enjoy every little bit of the journey that marks the way," he said. "There's a little ritual getting ready for tomorrow night. The day is one long preparation, so by the time you get inside that room, you can't help but be swept up with the adrenaline – not only for the involvement with your own movie if you're lucky enough to be nominated, but just everyone else. You see amazing people across a crowded room, and the sense of celebrating the good things the movie business does is what it's all about."

The 69th annual Golden Globe Awards show will be held on Sunday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and will be broadcast live on NBC.