The glamour and excitement of the awards season hit a high note as the 31st Critics Choice Awards ceremony commenced on Sunday, January 5, at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The event saw a constellation of stars arriving in style, setting the stage for a night celebrating the best in film and television.
Ariana Grande's Pink Carpet Moment
All eyes were on pop icon and actress Ariana Grande as she graced the black carpet. Nominated for the Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the much-anticipated musical 'Wicked: For Good', Grande looked breathtaking in a pink and white full-length gown. Her nomination marks a significant milestone as the cast of Wicked prepares to conclude a journey that started nearly five years ago.
Grande faces stiff competition in her category, which includes talented actresses Elle Fanning, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Amy Madigan, Wunmi Mosaku, and Teyana Taylor. Reflecting on her experience with the film at its New York City premiere in November, the 32-year-old star expressed deep gratitude. "It's been such an incredible ride and an incredible experience," she told E! News. "To create with people we love so much and respect so much creatively, but also who just have such great hearts."
New Categories and Nomination Leaders
The 2026 ceremony, hosted for the fourth consecutive year by comedian Chelsea Handler, introduced four new award categories to honour broader artistic contributions. The Critics Choice Association added awards for Best Variety Series, Stunt Design, Casting or Ensemble, and Sound.
In a fiercely competitive field, the film 'Sinners' leads the pack with an impressive 17 nominations. It is closely followed by 'One Battle After Another' with 14 nods. The adaptations 'Hamnet' and 'Frankenstein' have also made a strong showing, each securing 11 nominations.
How to Watch and What's Next
The Critics Choice Awards 2026 are being broadcast live on E! and USA Network from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET and PT. The ceremony promises to unveil the full list of winners across both film and television, capping off an evening that recognises creative excellence.
For Ariana Grande and her fellow nominees, the night is a celebration of years of hard work. As the Wicked chapter nears its end, this nomination serves as a poignant and proud moment in their artistic journeys, highlighting the powerful collaborations that define great cinema.
