Chelsea Handler teased the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts name change during 2026 Critic’s choice awards
“Since the current administration has no problem renaming cultural institutions, I’d like to welcome everyone to the Chelsea Handler Center for the Performing Arts, formerly known as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital,” Handler, 50, said shortly before introducing Quinta Brunson on stage at the awards show on Sunday, Jan. 4, to laughter from the audience.
The Kennedy Center was renamed the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center by its board of trustees, which is led by the president. donald trumpin December 2025.
Handler took the stage to host Sunday night’s awards show, which was held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. Earlier in the evening, he delivered a monologue that included jokes about the night’s nominees in the film and television industry. A star mentioned in his introduction was Leonardo DiCapriowho was nominated for his film One battle after another.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for the Critics Choice Association Chelsea Handler pulled no punches while hosting the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, especially when it came to the news coverage consuming Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s legal drama It Ends With Us. The 49-year-old comedian began his opening monologue by discussing the ongoing lawsuit from his former costars during the ceremony in (…)
“Leo is here, thank God,” joked the comedian. “Leo almost didn’t make it tonight because he was stuck on a boat in St. Barts. It was like the Titanicbut worse, because Jeff Bezos was there.”
Elsewhere, Handler struck out Benicio del Toro.
“Benicio, you’ve had a phenomenal year this year and we need to see more of you, okay?” she said “Stop being so selective about what you do. I need you in more movies, more TV shows, in room 708 at the Andaz Hotel tonight.”
Handler also referred Timothée Chalamet like a “Labubu” and gushed Jacob Elordihe is 6 feet 5 tall.
On a more serious note, Handler paid tribute Rob Reinerwho died at the age of 78 together with his wife, Michele Singer Reineron December 14. his son Nick Reiner has been arrested and charged with two counts of first degree murder.
“Everybody in this room knows that the nicest guy in Hollywood was Rob Reiner,” he told the audience. “Anyone who has spent time with Rob Reiner knows that the moment you met him, he felt like an old friend. When you were in a conversation with him, he was present and focused and funny and asked a lot of questions. Whether you were talking about politics, movies or the latest beauty trends, he was on point.”
Handler also shared a personal memory of Rob and Michele.
The stars’ fashion choices were off the charts at the Critics Choice Awards 2026. This year, stars like Amanda Seyfried, Emma Stone, Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan and more were nominated for a trophy. Thank you! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By registering, I accept the (…)
“After I texted him thank you for dinner a few months ago, he texted me saying, ‘We had so much fun with you last night. Thank you for telling us so much about plastic surgery, it was very uplifting,” she recalled. “Rob and Michele were tireless in their efforts to (support) so many important causes, all stemming from one basic idea: decency. That we should all take care of each other. And I think we can all agree that we definitely need more of this. So let’s use tonight as a reminder of that decency and a reminder of everything that Rob and Michele stood for so strongly.”
Nick, 32, has not entered a plea following his charges. He hired a lawyer Alan Jacksonwhich he previously defended Karen Readto represent him. His appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7.