As Chelsea Handler gets ready to host the big 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards, people can’t help but revisit her bold opening monologue from last year that stirred up quite a ruckus about Melania Trump.
One of Chelsea’s most memorable jokes drew a flurry of comments when she likened the First Lady to the main character in Anora, a film that follows a Brooklyn sex worker who marries the son of an oligarch. Handler quipped, “It was a huge year for biopics. Anora, about Melania Trump.”
This lighthearted jab didn’t land well with everyone, particularly on social media, where a number of conservative voices condemned the joke as disrespectful. One user remarked, “Chelsea could definitely use some better ways to grab headlines instead of badmouthing Melania. So weak.”
An opposing viewpoint added, “Melania could never hold a candle to Anora,” while another viewer simply stated, “Girl, that’s just not funny.”
This year’s awards, which took place at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar, were rescheduled twice due to severe wildfires overtaking areas in Los Angeles. Amidst her delivery, Handler took a moment to pay tribute to first responders, encouraging the audience to assist wildfire relief efforts, showcasing a QR code on the screen throughout the show.
She stated, “The scope of loss has been almost impossible to imagine,” leading to thunderous applause from the crowd. Tactfully, Handler chose not to mention the brewing controversy involving Emilia Pérez’s Karla Sofía Gascón, who faced backlash for her old social media comments.
The Spanish actress, in the running for Best Actress at the Oscars, was under fire when remarks ranging from comments about Muslims to George Floyd resurfaced. Gascón, making history as the first openly transgender Best Actress nominee at the Oscars, even opted out of the Critics Choice Awards and all related events due to the backlash.
Nonetheless, Handler pressed on with her signature humor, roasting some big names in Hollywood. Another interlude saw her targeting Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively, joking about their real-life legal troubles as the perfect distraction we need in today’s political climate.
She didn’t stop there, bringing Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater into her sights, quipping about Grande’s new romance, “She found love with a munchkin.”
Even through all the escalating drama, Handler was asked back to host again, signifying her fourth consecutive year in charge of the ceremony. Every year, the Critics’ Choice Awards recognize outstanding achievements in film, television, and streaming as voted by the Critics Choice Association (CCA).
Leading the nominations for the 2026 Critics Choice Awards is the film Sinners with an impressive 17 nods, closely followed by One Battle After Another with 14 nominations. You can catch the live broadcast on E! and USA Network on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
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