Chelsea Handlercracked jokes aboutBlake LivelyandJustin Baldoni’songoingIt Ends With Uslegal battleat the 2025 Critics Choice Awards.
While hosting the ceremony on Friday, Feb. 7, the comedian, 49,made remarks in her monologueabout the legal back-and-forth between Lively, 37, and Baldoni, 41, dominating headlines.
“I want to acknowledge that we’ve been through a lot lately, not just here in Los Angeles, but our entire country,” Handler said, “waking up every day not knowing what news we’re going to hear that will disappoint or horrify us.”
“So it is important in times like these to have a distraction, and that’s why I want to personally extend my gratitude to Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively,” Handler joked.
“Thank you for providing us with that distraction,” she continued. “I’m grateful. I think we’re all grateful. And I think we’re good. I think everybody in this room, no matter whose side you’re on, we can all agree to accept that there’sprobably not going to be a sequel.”
Chelsea Handler attends the 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Feb. 7, 2025 in Santa Monica, Calif.Jon Kopaloff/WireImage
Jon Kopaloff/WireImage
“It ends with us, guys,” she said in reference to the 2024 romantic drama that Baldoni directed and starred in alongside Lively.
In December, Lively sued Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and a retaliatory smear campaign, which he denied. In January, Baldoni countered with a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husbandRyan Reynolds, alleging defamation and extortion. Her lawyers called the lawsuit “meritless.”
Blake Lively attends the “It Ends With Us” UK Gala Screening at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on Aug. 8, 2024 in London, England.Jeff Spicer/Getty
Jeff Spicer/Getty
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Lawyers from the opposing sides came face to face in court for the first time on Feb. 3 for a pre-trial hearing, where the judgewarned them to refrain from litigating the case in public. Their trial is currently scheduled to be held in March 2026.
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
