'I love you', Timothée tells Kylie from the Critics Choice Awards 2026 stage. Getty Images
The Critics Choice Awards 2026 opened awards season on January 4 with energy, glamour, and plenty of conversation starters. From sharp humor and standout fashion to awkward slips and meme-worthy surprises, the ceremony delivered a full spectrum of moments that kept audiences talking long after the final trophy was handed out.
Held in Santa Monica, the show balanced celebration with self-awareness. Wins felt earned. The room felt relaxed. And not everything went exactly as planned.
A Red Carpet That Set the Tone
The red carpet quickly became a highlight of the night. Style risks paid off, and playful references dominated the fashion conversation.
Actors Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter recreated Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner’s coordinated orange Chrome Hearts looks from the Marty Supreme premiere. The attention to detail, including a ping-pong paddle accessory, instantly became one of the evening’s most shared images.
Elsewhere, bold jewelry made statements of its own. Oversized earrings worn by Rose Byrne, Jessie Buckley and Janelle James drew admiration and jokes in equal measure.
Chelsea Handler Strikes the Right Balance
Host Chelsea Handler set the mood early with a monologue that blended warmth with bite. She teased the room without alienating it.
Her jokes touched on Hollywood vanity, celebrity excess and recent pop culture moments. References to Jacob Elordi’s height and Leonardo DiCaprio’s yacht lifestyle landed smoothly. So did a pointed quip about a recent nude scene in Landman.Handler closed by urging kindness during a long awards season. The mix of humor and goodwill felt deliberate and effective.
When Things Went Slightly Off Script
Not every moment unfolded cleanly. A camera cut to Kristen Bell during a joke aimed at Gwyneth Paltrow caused visible confusion and nervous laughter.
Later, pronunciation errors tripped up several names, including Miles Caton and Katherine LaNasa. It was a reminder that even polished shows have live-TV risks.
Speeches That Felt Human
Some of the night’s most memorable moments came from sincerity, not spectacle.Sarah Snook won Best Actress in a Limited Series and openly admitted she had forgotten she might need a speech. Her rambling honesty ended with a quick thank-you and an exit that earned laughs and applause.
Star Theatre Kids
Young winners Owen Cooper and Miles Caton delivered heartfelt speeches that stood out for their composure and gratitude.
A Meme Is Born
One surprise bit instantly escaped the room and took over social media.
Handler announced that anyone finding a ping-pong paddle under their seat could spank Timothée Chalamet with it. Kathy Bates accepted the challenge without hesitation. The moment became an early contender for meme of the year.
Relationships and Reactions
Romance also had its spotlight. Jessie Buckley, accepting her award, joked about being married onscreen to Paul Mescal, playfully dismissing the room’s collective crush.
Offstage, Kris Jenner enjoyed another headline moment as Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet’s relationship received an onstage shoutout.
"Paul, I bloody love you, man," she said, as he giggled and blushed.
Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen.
A Chaotic, Entertaining Start to Awards Season
The Critics Choice Awards 2026 didn’t aim for perfection. Instead, they delivered personality. Big laughs sat alongside awkward pauses. Fashion highs shared space with live-TV stumbles.
As the first major ceremony of the year, it set a lively tone. Awards season has officially begun, and if this night was any indication, it won’t be short on moments worth debating.
