With the awards season heating up, it was the turn of the Critics' Choice Awards and host Chelsea Handler. The ceremony is celebrating its 30th annual bash as it recognises the best in cinematic achievement. The event at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, was once again hosted by the comedian, marking her third year in a row for the role. And the comedian and actress known as the host of Chelsea Lately and also featured on 2016's Netflix documentary titled Chelsea Does opened with a monologue that divided fans.
It had been a long time coming for the ceremony, having being rescheduled twice due to the devastation of the California wildfires. She was quick to thank LA's first responders and was met with a minute-long round of applause by those in the audience. She said: "And now I know I speak for all of us when I say what we saw, and the scope of loss has been almost impossible to imagine.". But as the host took to the stage, she was quick to brutally mock Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, who are currently locked in a bitter legal battle. Chelsea said: "I want to acknowledge that we've been through a lot lately, not just here in Los Angeles, but our entire country, waking up every day not knowing what news we are going to hear that will disappoint or horrify us. Oh, it is important at times like these to have a distraction, and that's why I want to personally extend my gratitude Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively.
Thank you for providing us with that distraction. I'm grateful. I think we're all grateful. I think we're good. I think everybody in this room, no matter whose side you're on, we can all agree to accept that there's probably not going to be a sequel. It ends with us, guys. ". Fans quickly reacted on Twitter/X. One user wrote: "chelsea handler saying “we” are grateful for blake vs justin is why she is bombing right now!!!." Another said: "chelsea handler just called justin baldoni and blake lively's case a 'distraction from life' im already pissed off.".
Stars and productions from the small and big screen alike were in the audience ready to battle it out for the honours held by the American-Canadian Critics Choice Association. In the television category, Shōgun led the way with six nominations. This year's leading film nominees were Conclave and Wicked, with both movies receiving a total of 11 nominations each. Experts tipped the Best Actor award to go to Conclave's Ralph Fiennes and Best Actress for Wicked's Cynthia Erivo prior to the show getting under way.
