Ariana Grande’s relationship with Ethan Slater was the target of a jibe by Critics’ Choice Awards host Chelsea Handler, but both the audience and viewers seemed unimpressed
Fans of Ariana Grande were left raging by Chelsea Handler’s Critics’ Choice Awards opening monologue.
As the 30th annual edition of the awards ceremony got under way in California, the comedian took to the stage to host for the third time. And she wasted no time in ripping into celebrities in attendance. However, her jibe aimed towards Wicked star Ariana Grande seemed to go down like a lead balloon in Barker Hanger – and even worse online.
Chelsea took aim at Ariana’s boyfriend Ethan Slater in her skit. She mocked: “We’re gonna spend the night celebrating all the love and success in this room. It is so nice to see some of our most beloved child stars all grown up and thriving. Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande are all nominated tonight. And now Ariana has even fell in love with a munchkin.”
But the comment was met with an awkward silence, leading Chelsea to tell the audience: “That’s good news, everybody.”
Fans online weren’t impressed either, and quickly let their voices be heard on Twitter/X. One user gasped: “NOT CHELSEA HANDLER CALLING OUT ARIANA FOR ETHAN??? SHE WENT THERE.” Another noted: “help chelsea handler said “now ariana has even found love with a munchkin” and no one laughed nor did the camera pan to Ariana LOLOL.”
And touching on the awkward moment in the audience, one user admitted: “the silence is killing me,” while another said: “the way no one laughed! they should’ve had jennifer coolidge host.” A third added: “IM CRYING LITERALLY NOBODY FOUND THAT FUNNY. THE SILENCE IS DEAFENING”
Elsewhere in her skit, Chelsea took aim at Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively as the pair continue their legal issues. Chelsea said: “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. Oh, it is important at times like these to have a distraction, and that’s why I want to personally extend my gratitude Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively.
Thank you for providing us with that distraction. I’m grateful. I think we’re all grateful. 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. “
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