Chelsea Handler is back — and more stylish than ever — at the Critics Choice Awards!
On Feb. 7, the comedian, 49, reprised her hosting duties for the third year in a row at the star-studded 30th-anniversary ceremony. Following in her own footsteps, she slipped into more than just one look throughout the night.
Handler first stepped onto the carpet wearing a cream Maticevski one-shoulder gown that hit at her calves. Details included a ruffled accent going down the skirt and a slightly pleated bodice. She paired it with $129 mesh Betsey Johnson stilettos with pearl studs and rhinestones arranged in a plaid design.
Handler debuted a second look when she stepped onstage for her emcee duties.
This one featured a deep purple off-the-shoulder velvet number that she paired with satiny heels. She also switched up her hairstyles, going from a blowout with deep side part on the carpet to loose waves on stage.
And if two wasn’t enough, Handler changed into third dress, a sexy cerulean blue strapless dress covered in floral appliqués.
All the dress designs revealed a bandage around Handler’s arm. Though the actress did not address her apparent ailment on stage, just days before her hosting gig, she revealed that she had a shoulder infection requiring sudden medical treatment.
“I’m in agony. I have a shoulder infection,” she said on a Feb. 5 episode of Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast. “They wanted to have surgery today, and I have too much press, including you.”
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While hosting both the 2023 and 2024 ceremonies, Handler also pulled off three different looks — including hair switch-ups, courtesy of her hairstylist of over a decade, Adir Abergel.
“Her trust level is immense,” Abergel says of working with Handler in 2023. “I came prepared with inspiration and we talked vibes. Then she let me do my thing. Once I have seen the clothes, I prep by creating Pinterest boards with style references that help bring the looks I envisioned for her to life.”
Last year, Handler started the evening in a form-fitting, yellow Alex Perry dress and glam side-part before switching into a green tube dress with a subtle side slit to kick off her hosting gig. Before hitting the stage, she also switched up her hair, opting for a wavy middle part.
Later, she wrapped the show in an elegant, black strapless gown with a draped bodice and slit, and wore her hair in a straight style.
In 2023, she also showcased a trio of colorful gowns, from a bright orange, one-shoulder gown to a fuchsia Marchesa gown with a thigh-high slit.
The Critics Choice Awards first announced that Handler would be returning to host in December.
“With the incredible Chelsea Handler returning as our host, we know this special 30th anniversary show is going to be our biggest and best show yet,” Joey Berlin, CEO of the Critics Choice Association, said at the time, per Variety.
Outfit changes are becoming standard of sorts for hosts. These days, award shows hosts aren’t just committed to making a room full of celebrities laugh and carrying out an hours-long ceremony with ease — they’re also expected to make headlines with an entire lineup of looks.
Case in point: Nikki Glaser at the Golden Globes, Megan Thee Stallion at the MTV VMAs, Kelsea Ballerini at the CMT awards and so many more.
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.
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