host Chelsea Handler brought laughter to the Critics Choice Awards 2026 with his rousing monologue, and even left Jean Smart without words
The 50-year-old comedian started on Sunday, January 4. award show at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, featuring jokes about the film and television industry. Handler didn’t hold back when she called out several stars, though Leonardo DiCaprio he took it on the chin, and even seemed to enjoy it, when his name came up.
“Leo is here, thank God,” Handler joked. “Leo almost didn’t make it tonight because he was stuck on a boat in St. Barts. It was like the Titanic, but worse, because Jeff Bezos was there.”
DiCaprio, who is nominated for his film One battle after anotherhe could be seen laughing as the camera focused on him. While discussing the film itself, Handler noted that her “p**** absolutely stands out.” Teyana Taylor. The comedian also hit out at the star of the film 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.”
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 (…)
Handler also did her traditional jabs, even throwing in them Nicki Minajpolitical affiliation of “white Hollywood” and the fight between Kevin Costner i Taylor Sheridan. It has been hilariously referred to Timothée Chalamet as “a labubu” and in the most relatable extreme, praised Jacob Elordithe height of (Enter about 6-foot-5, ladies.) Things also took a darker turn when Handler brought up the recent death of director Rob Reiner before starting to distribute the prizes. (Rob’s son, Nick, has been arrested and charged with death of the director and his wife, Michele Reiner.)
“Everybody in this room knows that the nicest guy in Hollywood was Rob Reiner,” he said. “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 you a ton of questions.”
Chase Infiniti, Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on January 4, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty ImagesThis marked Handler’s fourth consecutive year hosting the Critics Choice Awards, which offer critics and journalists the opportunity to honor achievements in film and television.
“Chelsea Handler is the best award show host in the world,” said the CEO of the Critics Choice Association Joey Berlin said in a November 2025 press release. “We’re absolutely delighted to have her back on our stage, mixing her signature blend of humor and heart in front of hundreds of stars who enjoy her as much as we do. Recognizing and celebrating the most deserving achievements in film and television is important, but it’s also a lot of fun and Chelsea is the perfect person to lead the parade.”
Handler added in her own statement: “Starting off the year with the Critics Choice Awards feels good — nothing says ‘new beginnings’ like a room full of critics ready to tell you how you did last year.”
Since making her Critics Choice Awards hosting debut in 2023, Handler has made headlines for her jokes at the ceremony on more than one occasion. During the 2025 broadcast, he made the light Blake Lively i Justin Baldoni’s End With Us legal drama.
“I want to acknowledge that we’ve been through a lot lately, not just here in Los Angeles, but our entire country,” he said in his monologue at the time. “In times like these it’s important to have a distraction and for that I want to personally express my gratitude to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. Thank you for providing us with this distraction. I’m grateful; I think we’re all grateful and I think we’re fine.”
The 2026 Critics Choice Awards officially kicks off another awards season on Sunday, January 4. Chelsea Handler returned as host of the Critics Choice Awards for the fourth consecutive year, noting in a November 2025 statement: “Starting the year with the Critics Choice Awards feels good — nothing says ‘new beginnings’ like a (…)
“I think everyone in the room, no matter what side you’re on, we can all agree to accept that there probably won’t be a sequel,” he added. “This ends with us guys.”
A year later, Lively, 38, and Baldoni, 41, are still awaiting trial, scheduled to begin in May, in their December 2024 lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and a smear campaign against her, which he has denied.
As for Handler, she spoke about her ongoing personal evolution shortly after hosting the 2025 Critics Choice Awards.
“You want get rid of bad behavior that hurts others or yourself, and also embrace this new version of you,” she exclusively said. Us Weekly on its February 2025 cover. “I don’t want to lose all the edge I was naturally born with, that’s who I am, so it’s kind of Whack-a-Mole. You’re like, OK, I’m auditioning different versions of myself, seeing which ones make the most sense for this enhanced version of me.”