Chelsea Handler sparks outrage as she roasts Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively at Critics Choice Awards

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA: Chelsea Handler kicked off the Critics Choice Awards with a monologue packed with sharp jabs, Hollywood satire, and a few moments of heartfelt gratitude on Friday, February 7 at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, California.

The comedian, known for her no-holds-barred style, wasted no time skewering everyone from Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni to Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes.

Chelsea Handler roasting hollywood’s finest

The former E! late-night host wasted no time setting the tone for the night, opening with a sharp jab at Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni’s 'It Ends With Us' legal drama.

Handler, who cheekily introduced herself as “your DEI host,” quickly addressed the country’s turbulent times, referencing everything from the LA wildfires to the unpredictable nature of Trump’s second term. But, according to her, America had a much-needed distraction, the 'It Ends With Us' duo, Lively and Baldoni, Deadline reported.

Chelsea began, "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.”

“Thank you for providing us with distraction,” she quipped, adding, "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. It ends with us, guys,” the comedian noted.

Reflecting on her time in late-night TV, Handler joked, “I spent seven years on this network, I was the only woman hosting a late-night show. Now 11 years later, look how far we’ve come. In 2025, the easiest way for a woman to get a late-night show is to get the creators of Hacks to write a fictional story about it.”

She was referring to Hacks protagonist Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, who secured a network late-night gig in the latest season. (Smart later took home the Best Actress in a Drama award, contributing to Hacks’ three wins for the night.)

Ralph Fiennes was next on her hit list. “You’ve played a ruthless Nazi, an evil lord Dumbledore and a celibate cardinal. You’ve made some truly some unsexy people very sexy. So, I’m begging you never play Vladimir Putin. I can’t do that again.”

Colin Farrell, who transformed into the Penguin for 'The Batman', also wasn’t safe. Handler didn’t stop at the men turning her attention to Hollywood’s leading ladies, she had the room in stitches.

Chelsea Handler praises heroes who helped rebuild after LA wildfires 

Chelsea Handler also took a moment to acknowledge the heroes in the room—the firefighters, Red Cross workers, and Habitat for Humanity volunteers who helped rebuild communities after the devastating LA wildfires.

“What we saw and the scope of loss was impossible to imagine,” she said. “It’s a reminder of each other’s resilience and determination that is within all of us when we come together as a community with a huge debt of gratitude.” The entire Barker Hangar erupted in applause.

Internet reacts to Chelsea Handler’s roasting of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni

Chelsea Handler’s roast of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has sparked major backlash online, with many criticizing her for making light of serious allegations.

One outraged user slammed her, writing, "That woman is disgusting, Hollywood loves this kind of people."

Another refused to engage with her work, saying, "Good thing I've never ever given Chelsea a moment of my time. I will continue to live this way. Her life is as empty and vapid as her brain."

Critics argued that Handler’s jokes undermined the seriousness of the situation, with one person stating, "She wouldn’t be ‘laughing’ if it had been her in Lively’s place. How is this ‘bringing everyone together’? Coward with zero ovaries."

Another called out Hollywood’s hypocrisy, writing, "How are women supposed to feel supported to come forward when this is how they handle it every fucking time? Burn the whole place down, fuck these people."

The backlash continued, with comments like "I hate Chelsea Handler so much," and "Somebody get Chelsea Handler off the stage, please."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.