“That’s good news, everybody!” Handler quipped, making a reference to the opening number in the ‘Wicked: Part 1’ film
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Chelsea Handler is taking a playful jab at Ethan Slater‘s Wicked character!
During her opening monologue at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, the comedian, 49, made a joke about the actor’s relationship with Ariana Grande.
While noting how many child stars, including Grande, Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, were making new strides in their career, Handler quipped, “And now, Ariana has even found love with a munchkin! That’s good news, everybody!”
The joke got a few laughs in the audience, but Slater and Grande appeared less than amused when the camera panned to them in the crowd.
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On the awards ceremony red carpet, Grande wowed in a Dior Couture dress that consisted of a cage dress covered in floral appliqués and a fringe hem. She accessorized with dazzling diamond earrings, an ivory manicure and black pumps, and pulled her hair into a sleek bun.
Slater was also dressed to the nines, wearing a dark gray suit with black lapels.
Grande is nominated for her first Critics Choice award for best supporting actress for her performance as Glinda in Wicked. The blockbuster musical adaptation led the pack with 11 nominations total.
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The actress, who is also nominated for an Academy Award, first met Slater when they began filming the two-part Wicked adaptation in London in late 2022. PEOPLE first confirmed their relationship in July 2023 after Ariana and Slater separated from their then-partners at the time.
During a Feb. 3 episode of the SmartLess podcast, Grande made a rare comment about Slater when she and host Sean Hayes reminisced on their time sharing a hair and makeup trailer while performing in 2016’s Hairspray Live!.
When Hayes shouted out Slater as “a very good friend of mine,” she replied, “Yes, he loves you so much.”
“I love him too. Ethan Slater. He’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in your life,” Hayes added. “He did Good Night, Oscar with me in Chicago. And then he was on Wicked and now you guys are dating, and I love that because you guys make a perfect couple.”
See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards as they’re broadcasting live on E! from Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The show will also be available to stream the following day on Peacock.
