Kelly Lawler

USA TODAY

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes are one of the most notoriously private couples in Hollywood. That changed a bit Sunday night as Gosling accepted the Golden Globe for best actor in a musical or comedy for his performance in La La Land. As the actor gave all his thank-yous during his speech, he had one very special shout out.

Although he didn't mention her by name, Gosling thanked Mendes for her support and her strength, and dedicated his award to her brother, Juan Carlos, who died of cancer last year at 53.

“You don’t get to be up here without standing on the shoulders of a mountain of people,” he said, “and there’s just no time to thank everyone I just would like to try and thank one person properly and say that while I was singing and dancing and playing piano and having one of the best experiences I’ve ever had on a film, my lady was raising our daughter, pregnant with our second and trying to help her brother fight his battle with cancer. If she hadn’t have taken all that on so that I could have this experience, it would surely be someone else up here other than me today. So, sweetheart, thank you. To my daughters, Amada and Esmeralda, I love you and if I may I’d like to dedicate this to the memory of her brother, Juan Carlos Mendez.”

Mendes acknowledged the gesture in an Instagram on Monday, but likewise remained subtle. The actress didn't mention her partner or his speech specifically, but hid a reference to her "favorite moment of the night" in a post praising Janelle Monáe's look.

As a caption to a picture of Monáe, Mendes wrote, "Obviously this wasn't my favorite moment of the night....But it was definitely my favorite style moment of the night. The stunning and talented @janellemonae is killing me with this look. So so so beautiful."

As Gosling and the non-stop La La Land keep trucking through award season, we may see more heartfelt acceptance speeches and coy Instagram posts.