Chelsea Handler poked fun at the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts during the 2026 Critics Choice Awards.
“Since the current administration has no problem renaming cultural institutions, I would like to welcome everyone back to the Chelsea Handler Center for the Performing Arts, formerly known as St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital,” Handler, 50, said shortly before introducing Quinta Brunson to the stage at the awards show on Sunday, January 4, earning laughs from the audience.
The Kennedy Center was renamed the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center by its board of trustees, which is led by President Donald Trump, in December 2025.
Handler took the stage as the host of Sunday night’s awards show, which was held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. Earlier in the evening, she delivered a monologue that included jokes about the night’s nominees in the film and television industry. One star mentioned in her introduction was Leonardo DiCaprio, who was nominated for his film One Battle After Another.
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“Leo’s here, thank God,” the comedian joked. “Leo almost didn’t make it tonight because he was trapped on a boat in St. Barts. It was just like the Titanic, but worse, because Jeff Bezos was there.”
Elsewhere, Handler hit on Benicio del Toro.
“Benicio, you’ve had a phenomenal year this year, and we need to see more of you, OK?” she said. “Stop being so selective about what you do. I need you in more movies, in more TV shows, in room 708 at the Andaz hotel tonight.”
Handler also referred to Timothée Chalamet as a “Labubu” and gushed over Jacob Elordi‘s 6-foot-5 height.
On a more serious note, Handler paid tribute to Rob Reiner, who died at age 78 alongside his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, on December 14. Their son Nick Reiner has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
“Everyone in this room knows that the nicest guy in Hollywood was Rob Reiner,” she told the audience. “Anyone who ever spent time with Rob Reiner knows that the minute that you met him, he felt like an old friend. When you were in a conversation with him, he was present, focused and funny and asked you tons of questions. Whether you were discussing politics or film or the latest beauty trends, he was all in.”
Handler also shared a personal memory of Rob and Michele.
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“After I sent him a text thanking him for dinner a few months ago, he sent me a text back that said, ‘We had so much fun with you last night. Thanks for explaining so much about plastic surgery, it was very edifying,’” she recalled. “Rob and Michele were tireless in their efforts to [support] so many important causes, all stemming from one basic idea: decency. That we should all look out for each other. And I think we can all agree that we definitely need more of that. So, let’s use tonight as a reminder of that decency and as a reminder of everything Rob and Michele represented and fought so hard for.”
Nick, 32, has not entered a plea following his charges. He hired attorney Alan Jackson, who previously defended Karen Read, to represent him. His arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7.
