During the opening monologue of the Critics Choice Awards on Friday night, TV host Chelsea Handler expressed gratitude to actors Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. She emphasized the importance of having a "distraction" in challenging times, acknowledging the recent hardships faced by people in Los Angeles and across the country.
Handler’s comments sparked laughter from the audience, but on social media, she faced criticism for allegedly "trivializing" the ongoing feud between Lively and Baldoni.
The feud escalated when Lively, 37, accused Baldoni, 41, of sexual harassment and defamation. In response, Baldoni countersued Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, for civil extortion, defamation, and invasion of privacy. Furthermore, Baldoni is suing the New York Times for libel, with both parties vehemently denying the accusations.
Commending the first responders who tackled the recent deadly wildfires in LA, Handler emphasized the necessity of having a distraction amidst the uncertainty and distress prevalent in current events. She thanked Baldoni and Lively for providing such diversion, humorously suggesting that regardless of allegiances, everyone could agree on the unlikeliness of a sequel to the feud.
Concluding the monologue, Handler referenced the film It Ends With Us, in which Lively and Baldoni starred, declaring a collective closure by saying, "It ends with us, guys."
Although neither Lively nor Baldoni attended the ceremony, video footage revealed a positive reception from the live audience. Conversely, reactions on social media varied, with some users criticizing Handler for trivializing the feud and deeming the jokes as being in "poor taste."
Elsewhere at the awards show, Demi Moore surged ahead in the Oscars race, clinching the title of best actress for her performance. Moore expressed gratitude to critics for recognizing the depth of horror films.
The Spanish-language musical garnered multiple accolades, including best supporting actress for Zoe Saldana. "Anora," a film centering around a stripper who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, claimed the coveted title of best picture, reshaping the competition for the upcoming Oscars.
Notable wins of the night included Adrian Brody for best actor in the historical epic "The Brutalist," Jon M. Chu for best director of "Wicked," and "Conclave" for best adapted screenplay.