How Chelsea Handler’s Critics Choice Awards Honored the Departed

Chelsea manager wasn’t just shooting celebrities at the 31st Annual Critics’ Choice Awards.

The comedian hosted the prestigious awards ceremony for its fourth consecutive year on January 4, 2026 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.

While celebrating her achievements in film and television, Chelsea Handler honored some of the industry’s latest souls and used her signature humor to roast several stars.

Handler paid tribute to the late Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, near the end of his monologue Sunday evening. The late filmmaker and his longtime wife were found dead in their Brentwood home on December 14.

One of their sons, Nick Reiner, has since been arrested and charged for allegedly stabbing his famous parents to death. Handler remembered Rob fondly, saying other celebrities knew he was “the nicest guy in Hollywood.”

“Anyone who has ever spent time with Rob Reiner knows that the minute you met him, he felt like an old friend,” Handler added, according to The Hollywood Reporter. She praised Rob and Michele for their “tireless” dedication to helping others and implored the crowd to remember them for all they stood for.

The tributes didn’t stop there, as Handler honored late actress Diane Keaton after her touching statements about Rob and Michele. She not only used her words to pay homage to the icon but also her outfit.

Handler wore a stylish double-breasted black pantsuit with a white blouse and black tie similar to the one Keaton wore to the 2014 Golden Globes. Daily Mail reported that she honored the “Annie Hall” star by saying:

“This little outfit is a nod to Diane Keaton, another person I think we should remember tonight. [She’s] someone who made a great contribution to all of us and everyone here.”

Although Handler had nice things to say about deceased A-listers, she didn’t hold back when roasting several A-listers. One of his victims was none other than rap sensation Nicki Minaj, who recently received mixed reactions for apparently joining Team MAGA.

Minaj was trolled after her appearance at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest convention in 2025, a controversy that Handler seemed to allude to during a joke.

“‘Sinners’ was a huge blockbuster! Although I haven’t been invited to a black person’s house since – except Nicki Minaj’s, but who wants to go there?” » said the manager.

The comment went viral on social media platforms, including X, with fans divided in the comments. Some applauded Handler for calling out Minaj, with someone describing the rapper as a “MAGA flop”. On the other hand, Minaj’s supporters slammed Manager for being “racist”.

Handler is no stranger to celebrities and public figures, with Elon Musk frequently landing in shooting ranges. The explosion reported in March 2025 that the “Chelsea Lately” alum roasted the tech billionaire during an interview.

The artist had attended the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Texas, where she discussed her views on the Donald Trump administration. The interviewer, journalist Kara Swisher, revealed that she had previously asked Handler out with Musk.

Swisher explained that she asked Handler to take one for the team while dating the business mogul; however, she flatly refused. “I would do a lot of things for the country, but sleeping with Elon Musk is not one of them. I can’t,” Handler responded.