Chelsea Handler took to the stage at the Critics’ Choice Awards for her third consecutive year as host, delivering a controversial opening monologue at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.
The ceremony, celebrating its 30th annual event recognising cinematic achievement, had been rescheduled twice due to devastating California wildfires.
The comedian and former “Chelsea Lately” host wasted no time in addressing recent Hollywood controversies.
Handler opened by acknowledging the impact of recent wildfires, expressing gratitude to LA’s first responders.
“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,” she said, prompting a minute-long standing ovation from the audience.
The host then pivoted to address what she called the need for “distraction” in difficult times.
Chelsea Handler issued the brutal swipe during her opening speech
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Handler directly targeted Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s ongoing feud in her monologue.
“Thank you for providing us with that distraction,” Handler quipped. “I’m grateful. I think we’re all grateful. I think we’re good.”
The comedian then delivered a pointed reference to their film, stating: “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 jokes drew swift criticism on social media platform X.
The actors are locked in a lawsuit with one another
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“Chelsea handler saying ‘we’ are grateful for Blake vs Justin is why she is bombing right now!!!” wrote one user.
Another viewer expressed anger at Handler’s approach, posting: “Chelsea handler just called Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively’s case a ‘distraction from life’ I’m already pissed off.”
The legal dispute between the stars erupted in December when Lively sued Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and orchestrating a retaliatory smear campaign.
Baldoni, who directed and starred in “It Ends With Us,” denied all allegations.
In January, he filed a £400million countersuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, claiming defamation and extortion.
Representatives for both actors have not commented on Handler’s remarks.
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Blake Lively brought her husband Ryan Reynolds into the lawsuit
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Handler’s approach contrasted sharply with last month’s Golden Globe Awards, where host Nikki Glaser deliberately avoided the topic.
“I think the Blake Lively-Justin Baldoni thing is such a hot-button thing right now that even a mere mention of it will seem like I could be on the wrong side of things,” Glaser told Yahoo Entertainment before the ceremony.
She added: “I’m mad I even know his name, to be honest with you.”