Chelsea Handler’s Critics Choice Monologue Targets Justin Baldoni & Ariana Grande’s ‘Munchkin’ Man

Chelsea Handler opened the 2025 Critics Choice Awards with her signature sharp wit, setting the tone for an evening filled with humor and celebrity roasts. Wasting no time, the 49-year-old comedian and host kicked off the show by addressing the political climate head-on before shifting her focus to some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

As she stepped onto the stage, Handler delivered a brief but pointed introduction, making a sly nod to the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the country. “I am your DEI host, Chelsea Handler,” she quipped, a remark that alluded to the widespread rollback of DEI initiatives following Donald Trump’s return to the White House for a second term.

With that opening line, Handler set the stage for a monologue that balanced sharp social commentary with her trademark celebrity jabs, ensuring an entertaining—and potentially controversial—start to the star-studded evening.

Chelsea Handler took a moment during her opening monologue at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards to acknowledge the challenges and hardships that people have recently faced, both in Los Angeles and across the country.

“I want to recognize that we’ve all been through a lot lately—not just here in Los Angeles,” she began, referencing the devastating wildfires that tore through the region just a month earlier, leaving destruction in their wake. But her sentiment extended beyond local tragedies, as she spoke to the broader uncertainty and turmoil affecting the nation.

“Our entire country has been grappling with difficult times,” she continued. “Every morning, we wake up not knowing what kind of news will greet us—whether it will be something that disappoints us, shocks us, or outright horrifies us.”

With this heartfelt yet wry observation, Handler set the stage for a night that would mix humor with the realities of the world outside Hollywood’s glitz and glamour.

During her opening monologue at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, Chelsea Handler didn’t hold back, delivering her signature blend of sharp humor and pointed commentary. Among her targets were actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, both of whom have been embroiled in a sexual harassment lawsuit since late 2024 following their collaboration on the film It Ends With Us.

With a playful but cutting tone, the Chelsea Lately alum offered a sarcastic word of thanks to the two stars, drawing laughter from the audience. “That’s why I want to personally extend my gratitude to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively,” Handler quipped as murmurs and chuckles spread throughout the crowd. “Thank you for providing us with that distraction. I’m grateful. I think we’re all grateful, 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.”

As the night progressed, Handler continued her no-holds-barred approach, shifting her focus to another high-profile celebrity couple—Ariana Grande and her boyfriend, actor Ethan Slater. With a nod to the former Disney and Nickelodeon stars who have successfully transitioned into major careers, Handler set up her next punchline.

“It is so nice to see some of our most beloved child stars all grown up and thriving,” she said, her tone laced with irony. “Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, and Ariana Grande are all nominated tonight.” Then, with a perfectly timed pause, she delivered the zinger that had the room buzzing: “And now Ariana has even found love with a munchkin. That’s good news, everybody.”

Handler’s joke was a playful reference to Slater’s Broadway past—he famously starred as SpongeBob SquarePants in the musical adaptation of the beloved cartoon and now plays Boq, a Munchkin, in Wicked, the very film for which Grande was nominated.

Earlier in the evening, Grande, 31, arrived at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, walking the red carpet solo. The pop superstar and actress was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role as Glinda in Wicked, marking yet another milestone in her multifaceted career.