Critics Choice Awards 2025: Chelsea Handler Addresses Bandage on Her Arm

Critics Choice Awards 2025 host Chelsea Handler poked fun at the bandage on her arm during the opening monologue at the Feb. 7 ceremony in Santa Monica, Calif.

By Gabrielle Chung Feb 08, 2025 12:18 AM
| Updated Feb 08, 2025 1:42 AM
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Watch: Critics Choice Awards 2025: Chelsea Handler Addresses Bandage on Her Arm

Here's what's up with Chelsea Handler lately.

Kicking off the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, the comedian used her opening monologue as the Feb. 7 ceremony's host to address the bandage on her left arm. (Click here to see all the red carpet arrivals.)

"Some of you may be wondering what's going on here," Chelsea began. "I have a PICC line in my arm."

"No, I'm not on the substance," she continued in a reference to the movie The Substance, in which Margaret Qualley played a younger version of Demi Moore. "Sydney Sweeney is not about to climb out of my back."

Hours before taking the stage at Los Angeles' Barker Hangar, Chelsea shared a behind-the-scenes look at her preparation process for the award show.

One Instagram Story photo showed the 49-year-old hooked up to what appeared to be an IV and a physical therapy arm sleeve, while she was pictured getting ready for a facial in another video.

"Good morning," she said in the clip. "This is step one of Critics Choice day." 

And once she was ready for makeup and hair, Chelsea made sure she had her go-to snack within reach.

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Critics Choice Awards 2025: Complete Winners List

"I know I'm loved when I get to my trailer," she quipped in another video, "and there's Swedish Fish waiting for me."

Indeed, Chelsea has her red carpet routine down pat. After all, this was the third consecutive time hosting the Critics Choice Awards, completing her a three-peat as emcee. 

"Returning for the third year to host the Critics Choice Awards has been made even sweeter knowing it will now air on E!," the Chelsea Lately alum said in a statement prior to the ceremony. "I feel like I'm returning to my birthplace."

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association

But this year's competition was just as fierce as Chelsea's signature wit, with Wicked and Conclave heading into the ceremony with 11 nominations each.

Meanwhile, Shogun was clearly a favorite amongst critics, leading the pack of nominees with six nods—including two for stars Anna Sawai and Hiroyuki Sanada in the Lead Actress and Lead Actor in a Drama categories, respectively. (Click here to see all the winners.)

To see all the stars on the red carpet, keep reading.

Ariana Grande

In Christian Dior

Cynthia Erivo

In Armani Privé 

Angelina Jolie

In Elie Saab

Hannah Einbinder

In Louis Vuitton

Nicole Kidman

In Saint Laurent

Demi Moore

In Schiaparelli Couture

Matt Bomer

In Berluti

Zoe Saldaña

In Saint Laurent

Orlando Bloom

Leighton Meester & Adam Brody

Leighton in Christian Dior and Adam in Santoni

Michelle Yeoh

In Balenciaga

Lupita Nyong'o

In Chanel

Kate Hudson

Maren Morris

In Monique Lhuillier

Naomi Watts

In Prada and Tiffany & Co. jewelry

Rachel Brosnahan

In Miu Miu and Pomellato jewelry

Kathryn Hahn

In Oscar de la Renta

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Colin Farrell

Mikey Madison

Logan Lerman

Cristin Milioti

In Saint Laurent and Brilliant Earth jewelry

David Harbour

Jodie Foster

Jessica Gunning

Dakota Fanning

In Irene Neuwirth jewelry

Jeff Goldblum

Marissa Bode

In Maria Lucia Hohan

Ethan Slater

Harvey Guillen

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