Chelsea Handler Leads an Emotional and Starry Standing Ovation for L.A. Firefighters in Critics Choice Awards 2025 Opening

Chelsea Handler kicked off the Critics Choice Awards 2025 with more important matter than awards.

The twice-delayed, Friday, Feb. 7, Los Angeles ceremony, honoring the Critics Choice Association’s top film and television picks of 2024, began with Handler, 49, and the event’s attendees offering a standing ovation to Los Angeles firefighters who were invited to attend.

“I know I speak for all of us when I say what we saw and the scope of loss has been almost impossible to imagine,” Handler said, noting that the broadcast would display a QR code that viewers can use to donate to those impacted by the fires that began in L.A. on Jan. 7.

“My hope for tonight is to take our time here together, and use it to remind each other and everyone watching of the resilience and determination that is within all of us when we come together as a community, with a huge debt of gratitude to our honored guests tonight, the firefighters, Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity volunteers,” Handler added. “And so many more – that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

This year’s 30th annual ceremony marks Handler’s third time hosting in a row. Broadcast live on E! from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, it was originally scheduled for Jan. 12, but was delayed due to January’s L.A. fires that left several residents dead and several hundred displaced.

Critics Choice Association CEO Joey Berlin expressed his condolences to those affected by the wildfires in a previous statement. “This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected,” it read.

Among the nominees for the 2025 Critics Choice Awards are Conclave and Wicked, with 11 nominations each, plus Dune: Part Two and Emilia Pérez with 10 nominations each. All are also nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards, to be held March 2.

Leading the TV categories is Shōgun, followed by Abbott Elementary, Disclaimer, Hacks, The Diplomat, The Penguin and What We Do in the Shadows.

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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.

Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.