Chelsea Handler Addresses Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Feud in Critics Choice Monologue: “There’s Probably Not Going to Be a Sequel” – Hollywood Reporter
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 07: Host Chelsea Handler speaks onstage during the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on February 07, 2025 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterSubscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterThe comedian, hosting the awards show for the third time, said she was “grateful” for the ‘It Ends With Us’ stars for being a “distraction” from troubling news.
By
Lexi Carson
Chelsea Handler didn’t hold back in her opening monologue for the 2025 Critics Choice Awards.
For the comedian’s third time as the Critics Choice Awards‘ host, she poked fun at numerous celebrities, including Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively, Colin Farrell, Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Nicole Kidman and more. And she took a moment to address the ongoing legal battle between Baldoni and Lively.
“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,” Handler said, before adding, “So, it is important in times like these to have a distraction, and that’s why I want to personally extend my gratitude to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. Thank you for providing us with that distraction. I’m grateful. I think we’re all grateful.”
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She continued to address the crowd: “And 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.”
The Critics Choice Awards were previously pushed back twice, due to the L.A. wildfires. At the very beginning of the show, Handler thanked the first responders who helped the community, some of whom were in the room and received a standing ovation.
Handler also called out Grande’s off-screen romance with her Wicked co-star, Ethan Slater (who plays a munchkin) and congratulated her on their relationship. “Now Ariana has even found love with a munchkin. That’s good news, everybody,” she joked.
Before the ceremony, which was aired on E!, The Hollywood Reporter asked Handler if she was able to “get away with more than when it aired on The CW,” and if she was thinking about that, Handler replied, “Not necessarily. I’m pretty good at getting away with what I need to get away with — wherever I am. This one is just especially fun because I’m returning to an ex-lover I broke up with so many years ago.”
See all the stars who hit the red carpet at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards here. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every daySign up for THR news straight to your inbox every daySubscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterSend us a tip using our anonymous form.
