Chelsea Handler hosts awards night with humor, tributes to first responders and bold moments now!!!!
What happened?
Chelsea Handler kicked off the night by hosting the 2025 Critics Choice Awards in a memorable way.
She started the festivities with a heartfelt standing ovation for the brave firefighters and first responders who had been battling the LA fires just the previous month.
Who was there?
Were you surprised by the star-studded crowd? Celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Zoe Saldaña, and Sarah Michelle Gellar all rose from their seats, joining the tribute.
The atmosphere was electric, uniting Hollywood’s finest in admiration and solidarity.
How was the mood?
Can you feel the relief? After the tribute, Handler lightened the mood by sliding into a sharp joke that referenced the dueling lawsuits involving “It Ends With Us” stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.
With a wink, she noted, “I think everybody in this room, no matter whose side you’re on, we can all agree to accept that there’s probably not gonna be a sequel.”
Who joined the laughter?
Wondering who was amused? The camera caught Orlando Bloom laughing along with the crowd as the playful banter filled the air, adding levity to an evening charged with both respect and humor.
What came next?
Curious about the awards? Handler introduced the first presenters by poking fun at the “nepo baby” Kate Hudson and her brother’s wife, Erinn Bartlett, who shared the honor of presenting the best ensemble award to the film “Conclave” starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci.
Which moments stood out?
Do you recall the highlights? Michael Urie quipped while accepting his best supporting actor award that Harrison Ford was the best “up-and-coming” actor after their work together on “Shrinking.”
Liev Schreiber and Jessica Gunning celebrated wins for their roles in a limited series, while Tadanobu Asano and Moeka Hoshi were recognized for best actor in a drama series in “Shogun,” with Hoshi’s moving nod to the LA Fires reverberating through her acceptance speech.
Who received big cheers?
Ever wonder which awards made an impact? “The Wild Robot” took home the best animated feature award, with its producer Jeff Hermann expressing heartfelt thanks to the first responders from the Altadena community affected by the Eaton Fire.
Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti garnered applause for their roles in television, and Jesse Eisenberg proudly presented the best supporting actress honor to Zoe Saldaña for “Emilia Perez.”
How did the comedy hit home?
Do you like a good laugh? Adam Brody’s acceptance for best actor in a comedy series—the trophy for “Nobody Wants This”—was paired with a personal story on coping with loss from the Palisades Fire, as he attended the event with his wife, Leighton Meester. The acclaimed series “Hacks” also received top recognition, lighting up the night.
What stirred the emotion?
Can you feel the passion? Kieran Culkin and Hiroyuki Sanada won awards for their striking performances in comedy and drama series, respectively, while Kathy Bates, honored for best actress in a drama series for “Matlock,” took a moment to thank the firefighters, revealing that the impact of the Palisades Fire had touched her team personally.
How did the night wrap up?
Ready for the final act? Orlando Bloom presented Jon M. Chu with the best director award for “Wicked” as Chu proudly proclaimed that “America is the greatest place in the world.”
In a show-stealing performance, Demi Moore—nominated alongside Angelina Jolie—took home the best actress award for her role in “The Substance,” motivating everyone with her reminder that dreams do come true.
Adrien Brody was crowned best actor for “The Brutalist,” and Sacha Baron Cohen closed the evening by presenting the best picture award to “Anora.”
Quick Facts—Critics Choice Awards
- Chelsea Handler hosted the 2025 Critics Choice Awards.
- Firefighters and first responders received a heartfelt tribute.
- Stars like Nicole Kidman, Zoe Saldaña, and Orlando Bloom attended.
- The evening mixed sharp humor with touching moments.
- Awards celebrated standout performances and resilience during LA Fires.