It was one joke after another at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.
And not even Leonardo DiCaprio was exempt from host Chelsea Handler’s jabs, especially after he showed up late to the ceremony.
“He was trapped on a boat in St. Barts,” the comedian said of the actor during the Jan. 4 award show. “It was just like The Titanic but worse, because Jeff Bezos was there.”
As for how Leo took the joke? The One Battle After Another star laughed good naturedly along with the rest of the seated audience. After all, he had indeed been in St. Barts over New Years with girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, Jeff and his wife Lauren Sánchez Bezos.
But Chelsea’s monologue wasn’t all quips. In fact, she called attention to the unusual skill Leo shows off in his new film, which took home the award for Best Picture at the Critics Choice Awards.
“I thought we already knew everything there was to know about Leo DiCaprio,” she said. “And then this year we find out that he can f--king whistle, too.”
But while Leonardo was up for Best Actor for his role as Bob Ferguson in One Battle After Another, the award ultimately went to Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme. Other actors nominated in the category were Michael B. Jordan for Sinners, Joel Edgerton for Train Dreams, Wagner Moura for The Secret Agent and Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon.
And as the Dune actor accepted his award, he shared a rare shoutout to girlfriend Kylie Jenner in his speech.
"Lastly, I'll just say thank you to my partner of three years," he said at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif. "Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn't do this without you.”
He added, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much. Appreciate it."
The 30-year-old’s comments mark the first time he’s openly discussed his relationship publicly, as both he and the beauty mogul have opted to keep their romance under wraps in the years they’ve been together.
As for how Kylie reacted to the sweet moment? The 28-year-old smiled up at her partner from their table, mouthing the words, “I love you.”
For more candid moments from the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, read on.
Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner
Oh, there she is. Kylie Jenner, aka Timothée Chalamet's "partner of three years"—his words, used for the first time ever in public, when he won Best Actor for Marty Supreme—skipped the red carpet, but obviously joined him for the main event.
He couldn't have done it without her, after all. (Again, his words!)
Ike Barinholtz
The Studio's Ike Barinholtz made sure to capture one of many winning moments for him, the show and producer-star Seth Rogen for posterity.
Michael B. Jordan and Donna Jordan
The Best Actor nominee played identical twins in Sinners but his mom remains one of a kind.
Rei Ami, Ejae and Audrey Nuna
Ejae showed off her souvenir from the Best Song win she shared with Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, and Teddy for their KPop Demon Hunters anthem "Golden."
Amy Madigan
First Amy Madigan became an unwitting icon as Weapons villain Gladys, then she won Best Supporting Actress—and then she found food backstage.
Timothée Chalamet and Taylen Biggs
To call this a supreme moment for Zootopia 2 actress Taylen Biggs may be an understatement.
Owen Cooper and Jacob Elordi
The Adolescence and Frankenstein stars, congratulating each other here for their respectively haunting performances, were both winners for playing maladjusted, misunderstood creatures who could have benefited from better guidance.
Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Aliyah Mastin and Kryis Marshall
The stars of Paradise and The Gilded Age shed the trappings of the apocalypse and a rigid class structure to enjoy a glamorous night out.
Teyana Taylor and Jeff Goldblum
Jeff Goldblum got to meet the wizard for a change.
Michelle Randolph, Owen Cooper and Ali Larter
When the man of the hour meets the stars of Landman.
Chase Infiniti, Leonardo DiCaprio and Benicio del Toro
The One Battle After Another stars are embarking on one awards show after another, so best they stay hydrated.
Britt Lower and Tramell Tillman
The Severance costars never forget just how much fun they have at work.
Ariana Grande and Noah Wyle
Well, someone's night was changed for good. And we don't even mean because Noah Wyle won Best Actor in a Drama Series for The Pitt.
Patrick Ball, Shawn Hatosy and Noah Wyle
The stars of The Pitt look so much less stressed when they're not wearing scrubs.
Sunrise Coigney, Alicia Silverstone and Mark Ruffalo
If her task was to meet up with Mark Ruffalo and his wife, fellow activist/environmentalist Alicia Silverstone can consider her mission accomplished.
Jacobi Jupe and Paul Mescal
We do prefer our Shakespeares smiling.
Miles Caton and Noah Schnapp
Noah Schnapp has been to the Upside Down (i.e. been famous since he was a little kid). So the Strangers Thing star may have some valuable advice for Miles Caton, who was named Best Young Actor for his breakout performance in Sinners.
Owen Cooper and Mckenna Grace
The Adolensence star and McKenna Grace have a bit of a Gen Z moment with their selfies.
Keri Russell & Matthew Rhys
We spy the the Americans couple Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys cozying up backstage.