Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Awkwardly React to Chelsea Handler's Critics Choice Joke She 'Found Love with a Munchkin'

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Chelsea Handler, Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards.Photo:Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association; Rodin Eckenroth/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association; Rodin Eckenroth/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty

Chelsea Handleris taking a playful jab atEthan Slater’sWickedcharacter!During her opening monologue at the2025 Critics Choice Awards, the comedian, 49, made a joke about the actor’s relationship withAriana Grande.While noting how many child stars, including Grande,Miley CyrusandSelena 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.Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater.Michelle Yeoh/InstagramOn 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 inWicked. The blockbuster musical adaptation led the pack with 11 nominations total.Ariana Grande at the Critics Choice Awards.Jon Kopaloff/WireImageThe actress, who is also nominated for anAcademy Award,first metSlater when they began filming the two-partWickedadaptation in London in late 2022. PEOPLE firstconfirmed their relationshipin July 2023 after Ariana and Slaterseparatedfrom their then-partnersat the time.During a Feb. 3 episode of theSmartLesspodcast, Grande made a rare comment about Slater when she and hostSean Hayesreminisced on their time sharing a hair and makeup trailer while performing in 2016’sHairspray 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 didGood Night, Oscarwith me in Chicago. And then he was onWickedand now you guys are dating, and I love that because you guys make a perfect couple.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 30th annualCritics Choice Awardsas 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.

Chelsea Handleris taking a playful jab atEthan Slater’sWickedcharacter!

During her opening monologue at the2025 Critics Choice Awards, the comedian, 49, made a joke about the actor’s relationship withAriana Grande.

While noting how many child stars, including Grande,Miley CyrusandSelena 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.

Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater.Michelle Yeoh/Instagram

Michelle Yeoh/Instagram

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 inWicked. The blockbuster musical adaptation led the pack with 11 nominations total.

Ariana Grande at the Critics Choice Awards.Jon Kopaloff/WireImage

Jon Kopaloff/WireImage

The actress, who is also nominated for anAcademy Award,first metSlater when they began filming the two-partWickedadaptation in London in late 2022. PEOPLE firstconfirmed their relationshipin July 2023 after Ariana and Slaterseparatedfrom their then-partnersat the time.

During a Feb. 3 episode of theSmartLesspodcast, Grande made a rare comment about Slater when she and hostSean Hayesreminisced on their time sharing a hair and makeup trailer while performing in 2016’sHairspray 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 didGood Night, Oscarwith me in Chicago. And then he was onWickedand now you guys are dating, and I love that because you guys make a perfect couple.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

See PEOPLE’s full coverage of the 30th annualCritics Choice Awardsas 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.

source: people.com