January 8, 2026 3:55 am EST

Chelsea Handler garnered controversy for a joke she made at the expense of pop star Nicki Minaj at Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards stemming from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California.

The 50-year-old comedian segued into the jab at the Super Bass singer, 43, after she made a joke about the hit motion picture Sinners.

‘Sinners was a massive Blockbuster!’ Handler said. ‘Although, I haven’t been invited into a Black person’s house since – except Nicki Minaj’s, but who wants to go over there?

Handler’s barbs aimed at the Barbie World songstress came weeks after Minaj raised eyebrows following an an appearance at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest convention in Arizona. 

At the political convention, the pop star appeared in a segment opposite Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika Kirk. 

Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Minaj and Handler for further comment on the story.    

Chelsea Handler garnered controversy for a joke she made at the expense of pop star Nicki Minaj at Sunday’s Critics Choice Awards stemming from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California 

Fans of the Grammy-nominated vocalist took Handler to task for her remarks on X, with many stating they were uncomfortable with the racial element to the joke.

Said one fan, ‘This is @chelseahandler, a unknown flopstar being racist and using @NICKIMINAJ for clout Making jokes despite not being funny.’

Another said Handler ‘will always be, a classless act,’ pointing out Minaj’s past comments about dealing with people who make inflammatory comments about her.

‘I just remember what Nicki said in her last interview … “I didn’t notice,”‘ the user said. ‘Don’t let these people get the best of you, and keep your head up.’

One user said that Handler had been using comedy as a platform to ‘dog pile celebrities who are already being kicked while they’re down.’

The user predicted Minaj would not be granted the same understanding if she responded in kind.

‘Nicki has tough skin, sure,’ the user said. ‘But when she eventually responds to the endless commentary, watch how the narrative flips. Suddenly she’ll be labeled bitter, hateful, mean, or “unable to take a joke.”

‘Meanwhile, we’re watching a Black woman be publicly ridiculed over political stances she never actually made, with lies, assumptions, and accusations filling in the gaps. 

‘The industry and the internet decided why they’re mad at her before she even said anything, and now everyone feels entitled to pile on.’

The 50-year-old comedian segued into the jab at the Super Bass singer, 43, after she made a joke about the hit motion picture Sinners

Handler’s barbs aimed at the Barbie World songstress came weeks after Minaj raised eyebrows following an an appearance at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest convention in Arizona 

One user said they were not surprised to see Handler look to humiliate Minaj as the butt of her joke at the Hollywood event, saying that her ‘pattern is clear’ from her past actions.

Said the user: ‘She publicly defended Al Franken after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct, then was later required to take sexual harassment and racial sensitivity classes herself after groping a Black woman.

‘Now she’s on stage attacking Nicki Minaj using racial stereotypes, proving she has no regard for Black women paired with a long history of excusing harm while perpetuating it.’

Another said Handler was out of line with the racial undertones of the joke. 

‘Yall see that Chelsea Handler joke????’ the user said. ‘Tasteless, despite conservative antics, I’m not letting no white woman come at no Black person, from Nicki Minaj to Michelle Obama.’ 

Another user said of Handler’s joke and the social media reaction: ‘I see the sheep mentality and mentioning Nicki because everyone’s dog piling her right now …but this is just a blatantly racist joke wasn’t really funny at all.’

Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika high-fived Minaj at the political event in Arizona December 21 

Handler’s comedic shot at Minaj drew the ire of her loyal fanbase 

Critics Choice Awards 2026 WINNERS: AT A GLANCE

FILM

Best Picture: One Battle After Another

Best Actor: Timothee Chalamet – Marty Supreme

Best Actress: Jesse Buckley – Hamnet

Best Supporting Actor: Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein

Best Supporting Actress: Amy Madigan – Weapons

Best Young Actor/Actress: Miles Caton – Sinners

Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Best Original Screenplay: Ryan Coogler – Sinners

Best Adapted Screenplay: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another

Best Animated Film: KPop Demon Hunters

Timothee Chalamet triumphed in the Best Actor category for Marty Supreme

TELEVISION

Best Drama Series: The Pitt

Best Actor in a Drama Series: Noah Wyle – The Pitt

Best Actress in a Drama Series: Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus

Best Comedy Series: The Studio

Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Seth Rogen

Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart

Best Limited Series: Adolescence

Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Stephen Graham – Adolescence

Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Sarah Snook – All Her Fault Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Owen Cooper – Adolescence

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Erin Doherty – Adolescence

Best Talk Show: Jimmy Kimmel Live!

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