Ariana Grande put on a loved-up display with boyfriend Ethan Slater inside the Critics Choice Awards just moments after host Chelsea Handler roasted their relationship.
The couple were seated next to one another at a table with the rest of the Wicked cast inside the Barker Hander in Santa Monica, California on Friday night.
Placing one hand on her boyfriend's leg, Grande — who is up for a Supporting Actress trophy — leaned in closely to speak to Slater during a lull in the star-studded action.
At another point in the show, Grande and Slater were seen giggling with one another.
The lovebirds met on set of the blockbuster musical film, which is nominated for 11 Critics Choice Awards, that also stars Cynthia Erivo and was directed by Jon M. Chu.
Host Handler kicked off the ceremony with a hilarious monologue that included a jab at Grande's romance with 'munchkin' Slater.
![Ariana Grande put on a loved-up display with boyfriend Ethan Slater inside the Critics Choice Awards just moments after host Chelsea Handler roasted their relationship](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/08/03/94991907-14374507-Ariana_Grande_put_on_a_loved_up_display_with_boyfriend_Ethan_Sla-a-175_1738984272745.jpg)
![The lovebirds met on set of the blockbuster musical film, which is nominated for 11 Critics Choice Awards, that also stars Cynthia Erivo and was directed by Jon M. Chu](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/08/03/94991909-14374507-The_lovebirds_met_on_set_of_the_blockbuster_musical_film_which_i-a-172_1738984272327.jpg)
Ariana Grande put on a loved-up display with boyfriend Ethan Slater inside the Critics Choice Awards just moments after host Chelsea Handler roasted their relationship
![The couple were seated next to one another at a table with the rest of the Wicked cast inside the Barker Hander in Santa Monica, California on Friday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/08/03/94992305-14374507-The_couple_were_seated_next_to_one_another_at_a_table_with_the_r-a-174_1738984272327.jpg)
The couple were seated next to one another at a table with the rest of the Wicked cast inside the Barker Hander in Santa Monica, California on Friday night
'It's nice to see some of our most beloved child stars grown up and thriving. Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Ariana Grande are all nominated,' the comedian, 49, began.
She then added with a laugh: 'Now Ariana has found love with a munchkin.'
The joke — which is a nod to Slater's munchkin character Boq in the Wicked movie — received lukewarm reception from the award show's A-list audience, which included Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldana.
While they may have been seated side-by-side during the ceremony, Slater and Grande made the choice to walk the Critics Choice Awards red carpet separately.
The Critics Choice Awards are finally taking place at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Friday, February 7, after twice being delayed due to the LA fires.
The show was first slated to take place on Sunday, January 12, before being pushed to Sunday, January 26.
But due to the venue's close proximity to the fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades, ceremony officials decided to push the show to February.
Wicked, Conclave and Shogun lead the nominations.
Wicked scored the most Critics Choice Awards 2025 nominations, including major nods for its stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, as the musical ties Conclave for the most nominations with 11.
Both Wicked and Conclave are also up for the biggest prize of the night in Best Picture.
The two films will face off against an impressive field including: A Complete Unknown, Anora, The Brutalist, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, Nickel Boys, Sing Sing and The Substance.
Ariana, 31, is up for Best Supporting actress, and she will take on Danielle Deadwyler — The Piano Lesson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor — Nickel Boys, Margaret Qualley — The Substance, Isabella Rossellini — Conclave, and Zoe Saldaña –—Emilia Pérez.
Cynthia, 38, will also face stiff competition in the coveted Best Actress category, as she is up against: Karla Sofía Gascón — Emilia Pérez, Marianne Jean-Baptiste — Hard Truths, Angelina Jolie — Maria, Mikey Madison — Anora, and Demi Moore — The Substance.
![Placing one hand on her boyfriend's leg, Grande ¿ who is up for a Supporting Actress trophy ¿ leaned in closely to speak to Slater during a lull in the star-studded action](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/08/03/94991899-14374507-Placing_one_hand_on_her_boyfriend_s_leg_Grande_who_is_up_for_a_S-a-173_1738984272327.jpg)
Placing one hand on her boyfriend's leg, Grande — who is up for a Supporting Actress trophy — leaned in closely to speak to Slater during a lull in the star-studded action
![The couple posed for photos at their table](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/08/04/94995069-14374507-image-a-18_1738987363752.jpg)
The couple posed for photos at their table
![Grande cuddled up to Slater](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/08/04/94995067-14374507-image-a-19_1738987377928.jpg)
Grande cuddled up to Slater
![Host Handler kicked off the ceremony with a hilarious monologue that included a jab at Grande's romance with 'munchkin' Slater](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/08/03/94992291-14374507-Host_Handler_kicked_off_the_ceremony_with_a_hilarious_monologue_-a-171_1738984272326.jpg)
Host Handler kicked off the ceremony with a hilarious monologue that included a jab at Grande's romance with 'munchkin' Slater
Transgender actress Gascon, who has been slammed for resurfaced 'racist' social media posts, is not expected to be in attendance with her Emilia Pérez castmates.
Wicked is centered around Elphaba (Erivo), a misunderstood young woman because of her green skin, and Glinda (Grande), a popular girl. The two become friends at Shiz University in the Land of Oz, but after an encounter with the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads.
Meanwhile, Conclave's Ralph Fiennes leads the Best Actor field, which includes: Adrien Brody — The Brutalist, Timothée Chalamet — A Complete Unknown, Daniel Craig — Queer, Colman Domingo — Sing Sing, and Hugh Grant — Heretic.
Conclave is centered around Fiennes' character, Cardinal Lawrence, who is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope. But he soon finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.
Rounding out the top individual honors is the Best Supporting Actor category, which features: Yura Borisov — Anora, Kieran Culkin — A Real Pain, Clarence Maclin — Sing Sing, Edward Norton — A Complete Unknown, Guy Pearce — The Brutalist, and Denzel Washington — Gladiator II.
Both Wicked and Conclave are up for Best Acting Ensemble against Anora, Emilia Pérez, Saturday Night and Sing Sing.
Best Director will be a contentious category, as the field includes: Jacques Audiard — Emilia Pérez, Sean Baker — Anora, Edward Berger — Conclave, Brady Corbet — The Brutalist, Jon M. Chu — Wicked, Coralie Fargeat — The Substance, RaMell Ross — Nickel Boys, and Denis Villeneuve — Dune: Part Two.
Behind the two frontrunners with the most nominations were Dune: Part Two and Emilia Perez, which each landed 10 nods.
The Brutalist had nine while Anora and The Substance trailed slightly with seven nominations each.
The Critics Choice Awards don't only honor the finest in films, but television as well.
![Wicked leads the way with the most Critics Choice Awards 2025 nominations, including major nods for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The musical earned 11 tying the film Conclave for the most](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/04/17/93082105-14263673-Wicked_leads_the_way_with_the_most_Critics_Choice_Awards_2025_no-a-1_1738689105498.jpg)
Wicked leads the way with the most Critics Choice Awards 2025 nominations, including major nods for Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. The musical earned 11 tying the film Conclave for the most
![Conclave tied with Wicked for most nominations including a Best Actor nod for Ralph Fiennes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/07/23/93085239-14263673-Conclave_tied_with_Wicked_for_most_nominations_including_a_Best_-m-2_1738972260107.jpg)
Conclave tied with Wicked for most nominations including a Best Actor nod for Ralph Fiennes
![Ariana (pictured), 31, is up for Best Supporting actress. She will take on Danielle Deadwyler ¿ The Piano Lesson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor ¿ Nickel Boys, Margaret Qualley ¿ The Substance, Isabella Rossellini ¿ Conclave, and Zoe Saldaña ¿ Emilia Pérez](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/04/17/93082327-14263673-Ariana_pictured_31_is_up_for_Best_Supporting_actress_as_she_will-a-2_1738689105718.jpg)
Ariana (pictured), 31, is up for Best Supporting actress. She will take on Danielle Deadwyler — The Piano Lesson, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor — Nickel Boys, Margaret Qualley — The Substance, Isabella Rossellini — Conclave, and Zoe Saldaña — Emilia Pérez
FX series Shōgun leads the way with six nominations. The show earned a nod for Best Drama Series, while the cast was recognized in multiple categories, including Hiroyuki Sanada for Best Actor in a Drama Series and Anna Sawai for Best Actress in a Drama Series.
Tadanobu Asano and Takehiro Hira are both up for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, while Moeka Hoshi could take home the Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series award.
Abbott Elementary, Disclaimer, Hacks, The Diplomat, The Penguin and What We Do in the Shadows followed with an impressive four nominations each.
Abbott Elementary, Hacks and What We Do in the Shadows will all face off in the Best Comedy Series category, while Disclaimer and The Penguin are up for Best Limited Series and The Diplomat earned a nod for Best Drama Series.
Abbott Elementary earned additional nods for Quinta Brunson for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Tyler James Williams for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and Janelle James for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Disclaimer received nominations for Kevin Kline for Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television, Cate Blanchett for Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television and Leila George for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television.
The cast of Hacks was recognized in several categories, earning nods for Jean Smart for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Paul W. Downs for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and for Hannah Einbinder for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
The Diplomat earned nominations for Rufus Sewell and Keri Russell, who are up for Best Actor in a Drama Series and Best Actress in a Drama Series, respectively, while Allison Janney garnered a nod for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Colin Farrell could take home the Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television award for his role in The Penguin, while the show’s Cristin Milioti is up for Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television and Deirdre O’Connell was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television.
What We Do in the Shadows garnered nominations for Kayvan Novak for Best Actor in a Comedy Series, Natasia Demetriou for Best Actress in a Comedy Series and Harvey Guillén for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Netflix sensation Baby Reindeer is also up for four awards, including nods for Richard Gadd and Jessica Gunning and Best Limited Series.
![Emilia Pérez actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who has been slammed for resurfaced 'racist' social media posts, is not expected to be in attendance with her Emilia Pérez castmates - seen with Zoe Saldaña in the film](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/08/03/94855871-14374507-Emilia_P_rez_actress_Karla_Sof_a_Gasc_n_who_has_been_slammed_for-a-176_1738984272745.jpg)
Emilia Pérez actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who has been slammed for resurfaced 'racist' social media posts, is not expected to be in attendance with her Emilia Pérez castmates - seen with Zoe Saldaña in the film
![FX series Sh¿gun led the way for TV with six nominations](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/08/03/93086227-14374507-FX_series_Sh_gun_led_the_way_for_TV_with_six_nominations-a-177_1738984272748.jpg)
FX series Shōgun led the way for TV with six nominations
Historically, the awards are considered the most accurate predictor of Academy Award nominations.
Another major change for the ceremony is there will no longer be a Live from E!: Critics Choice Awards two-hour red carpet special ahead of the telecast.
The Critics Choice Awards are presented by the American–Canadian Critics Choice Association, which is the largest critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing more than 600 media critics and entertainment journalists.
It was established in 2019 with the formal merger of the Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association, recognizing the intersection between film, television, and streaming content.
The 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards will air on E! from 7 p.m.–10 p.m. EST/PST.