Critics Choice Awards Food Sparks Backlash After Star Calls It Out
Photos of the food served at this year’s Critics Choice Awards quickly went viral, sparking widespread reactions online. The controversy escalated when one of the night’s winners publicly roasted the catering, joking about the subpar meals.
Some netizens revisited last year’s catering fiasco, while others argued the criticism was overblown.
Fans React to the Menu
A photo shared by New York Times journalist Kyle Buchanan drew immediate attention. His modest plate, featuring grapes, cheese, and crackers, left many fans stunned.
“This is what they’re feeding you?!” one person exclaimed. Another added, “That is savage.”
Jokes quickly followed: “Looks like a meal on a United flight, not at an award show.” Others compared it to the infamous Fyre Festival, highlighting the perceived low quality of the spread.
Janelle James Roasts the Food
The online buzz intensified when Janelle James, Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy for Abbott Elementary, addressed the food during her acceptance speech.
“The best thing about being nominated four times is I finally realized they’re never gonna feed us at this thing,” she quipped. “It’s gonna be grapes and ice cream every year, but this makes up for it!”
Her joke drew laughter in the room and quickly went viral. Fans praised her for saying what many were thinking. One Twitter user wrote, “Janelle James just won her first Critics’ Choice award ever, and her speech was perfect lol.”
Image credits: Getty/Kevin Mazur
Flashback to Last Year
The backlash also revived memories of the 2025 “pizza in a bag” controversy, when celebrities were served individually wrapped slices of pizza. Stars including Oprah Winfrey and Taraji P. Henson appeared less than thrilled.
Actor Paul Giamatti later joked onstage about needing an endorsement deal for the infamous pizza.
Award shows have long struggled with catering praise. At the 2023 Golden Globes, Ricky Gervais mocked vegan meals. Jimmy Kimmel also noted that attendees often grab fast food, like In-N-Out, after award shows.
Other Highlights of the Night
Despite the catering critique, the ceremony delivered memorable moments. Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for Marty Supreme and thanked Kylie Jenner in his speech, sparking online speculation about their relationship.
Owen Cooper made history as the youngest male actor to win a Critics Choice Award, taking Best Supporting Actor for Adolescence.
Mixed Reactions Online
While many fans mocked the menu, others defended it. Some argued that simple options avoid logistical issues and dietary complaints.
“I think that’s a nice little filler,” one fan wrote. “Serving steak means worrying about cooking preferences, vegetarians, or allergies. Fruit, cheese, and veg works for everyone, plus all the booze they can drink!”
Others praised the menu’s simplicity, likening it to Mediterranean-style eating and emphasizing that many families would be grateful for the same spread.
“When there are kids and families who would love a meal like this, it sickens me to see complaints. Honestly, fruit, cheese, veg, and carbs is one of my favorite meals,” a commenter wrote.
The Critics Choice Awards food controversy shows how celebrity events remain under public scrutiny. From viral jokes to mixed reactions, fans continue to debate whether simple catering is practical or disappointing.
