Chelsea Handler took the stage as host of the 2025 Critics Choice Awards on Friday night (Feb. 7), but one of her jokes about Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater didn't quite land with the audience.
Grande and Slater, who have largely kept their relationship private, were seated together at the event and posed for photos throughout the night. During her speech at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, Handler turned her attention toward the couple.
"It is so nice to see some of our beloved child stars all grown up and thriving. Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Ariana Grande are all nominated tonight," Handler began, before delivering the joke.
" And now, Ariana has even found love with a Munchkin," she quipped, referring to Slater's role as Boq, a character from Munchkinland in the upcoming Wicked film adaptation. However, the joke was met with a noticeably quieter reaction compared to the laughter that other parts of her monologue received.
Sensing the awkwardness, Handler quickly added, "That's good news, everybody, in an attempt to lighten the moment."
Grande and Slater's relationship first made headlines in 2023 when they met on the set of Wicked. The pop star was previously married to luxury realtor Dalton Gomez, finalizing their divorce in March 2024. Slater was previously married to therapist Lilly Jay, with whom he shares a young child; their divorce was settled in September 2024.
Later in her speech, Handler praised Cynthia Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in Wicked.
"My god," she said. "The most radical hero of any movie this year, or maybe even this decade. And not because you were green because you were, and you are, epic, and it's an honor to be in the same room as you."
Handler then followed up with another joke about the film's press tour, saying, "I loved the Wicked press tour. The two of them all over each other. I remember the first time I did molly."
Despite the mixed reactions to Handler's jokes, Wicked had a strong showing at the awards ceremony. The film won three honors: Jon M. Chu took home Best Director, Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales won for Best Production Design, and Paul Tazewell earned Best Costume Design. However, it missed out on the Best Picture award, which went to Anora. Demi Moore won Best Actress for The Substance, while Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez, beating out Erivo and Grande.
While Handler's jokes may not have all been a hit, the night still celebrated the success of Wicked and its cast as they prepare for the film's highly anticipated release.
Source: Billboard
