Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater look loved-up at Critics Choice Awards after Chelsea Handler 'munchkin' quip

Ariana Grande put on a loved-up display with boyfriend Ethan Slater inside the Critics Choice Awards just moments after host Chelsea Handler roasted their relationship. The couple were seated next to one another at a table with the rest of the Wicked cast inside the Barker Hander in Santa Monica, California on Friday night. Placing one hand on her boyfriend's leg, Grande — who is up for a Supporting Actress trophy — leaned in closely to speak to Slater during a lull in the star-studded action.

At another point in the show, Grande and Slater were seen giggling with one another. The lovebirds met on set of the blockbuster musical film, which is nominated for 11 Critics Choice Awards, that also stars Cynthia Erivo and was directed by Jon M. Chu. Host Handler kicked off the ceremony with a hilarious monologue that included a jab at Grande's romance with 'munchkin' Slater. Ariana Grande put on a loved-up display with boyfriend Ethan Slater inside the Critics Choice Awards just moments after host Chelsea Handler roasted their relationship.

The couple were seated next to one another at a table with the rest of the Wicked cast inside the Barker Hander in Santa Monica, California on Friday night. 'It's nice to see some of our most beloved child stars grown up and thriving. Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande are all nominated,' the comedian, 49, began. She then added with a laugh: 'Now Ariana has found love with a munchkin.'. The joke — which is a nod to Slater's munchkin character Boq in the Wicked movie — received lukewarm reception from the award show's A-list audience, which included Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldana.

While they may have been seated side-by-side during the ceremony, Slater and Grande made the choice to walk the Critics Choice Awards red carpet separately. The Critics Choice Awards are finally taking place at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Friday, February 7, after twice being delayed due to the LA fires. The show was first slated to take place on Sunday, January 12, before being pushed to Sunday, January 26.

But due to the venue's close proximity to the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades, ceremony officials decided to push the show to February. Wicked, Conclave and Shogun lead the nominations. Wicked scored the most Critics Choice Awards 2025 nominations, including major nods for its stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, as the musical ties Conclave for the most nominations with 11. Both Wicked and Conclave are also up for the biggest prize of the night in Best Picture.

The two films will face off against an impressive field including: A Complete Unknown, Anora, The Brutalist, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, Nickel Boys, Sing Sing and The Substance. Ariana, 31, is up for Best Supporting actress, and she will take on Danielle Deadwyler — The Piano Lesson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor — Nickel Boys, Margaret Qualley — The Substance, Isabella Rossellini — Conclave, and Zoe Saldaña –—Emilia Pérez.

Cynthia, 38, will also face stiff competition in the coveted Best Actress category, as she is up against: Karla Sofía Gascón — Emilia Pérez, Marianne Jean-Baptiste — Hard Truths, Angelina Jolie — Maria, Mikey Madison — Anora, and Demi Moore — The Substance. Placing one hand on her boyfriend's leg, Grande — who is up for a Supporting Actress trophy — leaned in closely to speak to Slater during a lull in the star-studded action.

Host Handler kicked off the ceremony with a hilarious monologue that included a jab at Grande's romance with 'munchkin' Slater. Transgender actress Gascon, who has been slammed for resurfaced 'racist' social media posts, is not expected to be in attendance with her Emilia Pérez castmates. Wicked is centered around Elphaba (Erivo), a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Glinda (Grande), a popular girl. The two become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz, but after an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads.

Meanwhile, Conclave's Ralph Fiennes leads the Best Actor field, which includes: Adrien Brody — The Brutalist, Timothée Chalamet — A Complete Unknown, Daniel Craig — Queer, Colman Domingo — Sing Sing, and Hugh Grant — Heretic. Conclave is centered around Fiennes' character, Cardinal Lawrence, who is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope. But he soon finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.

Rounding out the top individual honors is the Best Supporting Actor category, which features: Yura Borisov — Anora, Kieran Culkin — A Real Pain, Clarence Maclin — Sing Sing, Edward Norton — A Complete Unknown, Guy Pearce — The Brutalist, and Denzel Washington — Gladiator II. Both Wicked and Conclave are up for Best Acting Ensemble against Anora, Emilia Pérez, Saturday Night and Sing Sing.