Chelsea Handler roasts Justin Baldoni, Blake Lively and Ariana Grande’s ‘munchkin’ boyfriend at 2025 Critics Choice Awards
Share and Follow


Chelsea Handler took aim at Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively’s ongoing beef in her Critics Choice Awards monologue on Friday, calling their never-ending legal feud a welcome “distraction” amid President Donald Trump’s second term in office.

“Waking up every day, not knowing what news we are going to hear that will disappoint or horrify us. So, it’s important, in times like these, to have a distraction. And that’s why I want to personally extend my gratitude to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively,” said Handler.

“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.”

Lively and Baldoni have been embroiled in a legal battle since December, when the “Gossip Girl” alum accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and causing her emotional distress while filming their movie “It Ends With Us.” Baldoni, 41, is countersuing Lively, 37, and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for defamation.

Elsewhere in her speech, Handler, 49, poked fun at Ariana Grande’s relationship with her “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater, 32.

“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 found love with a munchkin,” Handler joked.

After few people in the audience laughed, Handler assured them, “That’s good news, everybody.”

Slater and Grande looked “less than amused” by Handler’s joke when the camera panned to the pair, according to People.

It’s not unusual for the couple to have their relationship criticized. Shortly after Grande and Slater started dating, many fans made comments about the timeline of their relationship and Slater’s “sudden” divorce.

In October 2024, Slater told GQ magazine that navigating the negative comments from the public regarding his high-profile romance with Grande has been “difficult.”

“There were a lot of big changes in private lives that were really happening, so it’s really hard to see people who don’t know anything about what’s happening commenting on it and speculating, and then getting things wrong about the people you love,” said Slater.

“So just to address that part of it, that feels really hard.”

Grande, 31, has also fiercely defended her boyfriend from critics. In September 2024, the “Honeymoon Avenue” singer gushed about her new beau, saying there’s “no one on this earth with a better heart.”

“And that is something that no bulls–t tabloid can rewrite in real life.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Sister Wives: Meri Declines to Engage with Kody During His Apology Tour

This season of Sister Wives presents Kody Brown navigating a vastly different…

Stacey Rusch Exposes RHOP Drama: Criticizes Gizelle’s Secrecy and Slams Ashley’s Controversial Hookup

The Real Housewives of Potomac star Stacey Rusch is making waves in…

Unveiling the Untold Struggles of ‘Mad Men’ Icon January Jones

January Jones has firmly established herself in Hollywood,…

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Speaks Out on Marriage Defense

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has openly discussed the unique aspects…

Discover the Surprising Realities of the Royal Family’s Christmas at Sandringham: More Hustle Than Holiday

The royal family’s Christmas retreat at Sandringham is anything but a leisurely…

Ashley Biden Expresses Heartbreak Over 2025 Divorce

Ashley Biden reflects on the transformative year of 2025, during which she…

Margaret Josephs Weighs In: Teresa Giudice’s Christmas Plans with Melissa Gorga Spark Family Drama

Margaret Josephs recently shared her thoughts on Teresa Giudice’s Christmas Eve spent…