Janelle James to Host 2027 Critics Choice Awards

Janelle James will host the 2027 Critics Choice Awards, taking over from Chelsea Handler who was the emcee of the evening for the last four years.

“For over three decades, the Critics Choice Awards have been the place where the conversation about the year’s best work really takes off — and who better to host a show about the best of TV and film than one of the very best in the business?” CCA CEO Joey Berlin says. “We are so honored to have the incredible Janelle James join us to host this year’s Critics Choice Awards.”

James is an award-winning actress and comedian, best known for her role as Ava Coleman in ABC’s comedy series Abbott Elementary. She has garnered five consecutive Emmy nominations for her performance, as well as Critics Choice, Independent Spirit and Gotham Awards nominations. She won an NAACP Image Award in 2023 and 2026, with nominations in 2024 and 2025.

Her first hour-long stand-up special, Janelle James: How Romantic, will debut on Netflix on Nov. 10. Additional film and TV credits include Black Monday and Apple TV’s Central Park, as well as a role in the feature film One of Them Days. She is also co-writing and executive producing a new Hulu comedy titled Rock City.

The 32nd annual Critics Choice Awards will take place this year on Jan. 3, 2027 at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. The telecast will air live from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT. Nominations in both the film and television categories will be announced on Dec. 4.