The Best Behind the Scenes Photos from the 2025 Critics Choice Awards

Mar. 15, 2025

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.Photo:Michael Kovac/Getty

Michael Kovac/Getty

The 2025 Critics Choice Awards were filled with reunions of old friends and costars — most of which happened backstage and during commercial breaks!FromAriana Grande and Ethan Slater’s smiley chat in the audience to Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña’sSpecial Ops: Lionessmeet-up, see all the best photos from inside the Barker Hangar on Feb. 7.

The 2025 Critics Choice Awards were filled with reunions of old friends and costars — most of which happened backstage and during commercial breaks!

FromAriana Grande and Ethan Slater’s smiley chat in the audience to Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña’sSpecial Ops: Lionessmeet-up, see all the best photos from inside the Barker Hangar on Feb. 7.

01of 22Date NightEthan Slater and Ariana Grande.Michael Buckner/Variety via GettyThough the couple walked the carpet separately, once inside the ceremonyAriana GrandeandEthan Slaterwere seated together and were all smiles as they chatted.

01of 22

Date Night

Ethan Slater and Ariana Grande.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Though the couple walked the carpet separately, once inside the ceremonyAriana GrandeandEthan Slaterwere seated together and were all smiles as they chatted.

02of 22Two of a KindJesse Eisenberg and Rachel Brosnahan.Michael Kovac/GettyAs two of the night’s presenters,Jesse EisenbergandRachel Brosnahanposed together backstage as the show carried on just a few feet away.

02of 22

Two of a Kind

Jesse Eisenberg and Rachel Brosnahan.Michael Kovac/Getty

As two of the night’s presenters,Jesse EisenbergandRachel Brosnahanposed together backstage as the show carried on just a few feet away.

03of 22Special WinJack Antonoff, Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore.Kevin Winter/GettyBefore taking the stage to accept her award for best actress,Demi Moorewas sure to snag a hug from her costarMargaret Qualleywho was seated next to her husbandJack Antonoff.

03of 22

Special Win

Jack Antonoff, Margaret Qualley and Demi Moore.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

Before taking the stage to accept her award for best actress,Demi Moorewas sure to snag a hug from her costarMargaret Qualleywho was seated next to her husbandJack Antonoff.

04of 22Filled with TalentColin Farrell, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti and Cristin Milioti.Michael Kovac/GettyColin Farrell (left) andCristin Milioti(right) — who both walked home winners — posed withAbbott Elementary’s Janelle James and Chris Perfetti from the crowd.

04of 22

Filled with Talent

Colin Farrell, Janelle James, Chris Perfetti and Cristin Milioti.Michael Kovac/Getty

Colin Farrell (left) andCristin Milioti(right) — who both walked home winners — posed withAbbott Elementary’s Janelle James and Chris Perfetti from the crowd.

05of 22Gather AroundAldis Hodge, Rufus Sewell, Keri Russell, Chelsea Handler and Craig Robinson.Michael Kovac/GettyThe Diplomat’sRufus SewellandKeri Russellsmiled together backstage with hostChelsea Handleras well as Aldis Hodge and Craig Robinson.

05of 22

Gather Around

Aldis Hodge, Rufus Sewell, Keri Russell, Chelsea Handler and Craig Robinson.Michael Kovac/Getty

The Diplomat’sRufus SewellandKeri Russellsmiled together backstage with hostChelsea Handleras well as Aldis Hodge and Craig Robinson.

06of 22Wickedly Good FriendsCynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.Michael Kovac/GettyAriana GrandeandCynthia Erivoput their love on display Friday when they posed for a sweet photo while embracing from their table.

06of 22

Wickedly Good Friends

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.Michael Kovac/Getty

Ariana GrandeandCynthia Erivoput their love on display Friday when they posed for a sweet photo while embracing from their table.

07of 22Triple ThreatMatt Bomer, Kristen Bell and Chelsea Handler.Michael Kovac/GettyIn matching purple velvet looks,Matt Bomerand Chelsea Handler gathered around nomineeKristen Bellbackstage.

07of 22

Triple Threat

Matt Bomer, Kristen Bell and Chelsea Handler.Michael Kovac/Getty

In matching purple velvet looks,Matt Bomerand Chelsea Handler gathered around nomineeKristen Bellbackstage.

08of 22Seeing DoubleLiev Schreiber and Sasha Schreiber.Michael Kovac/GettyLiev Schreiberposed with his very-grown up sonSasha Schreiber, who he credited, along with his wifeTaylor Nieson, for “convincing” him to attend the ceremony.

08of 22

Seeing Double

Liev Schreiber and Sasha Schreiber.Michael Kovac/Getty

Liev Schreiberposed with his very-grown up sonSasha Schreiber, who he credited, along with his wifeTaylor Nieson, for “convincing” him to attend the ceremony.

09of 22Good to GlowNicole Kidman, Zoe Saldaña.Michael Buckner/Variety via GettySpecial Ops: LionesscostarsNicole KidmanandZoe Saldañaposed cheek to cheek from inside the Barker Hangar.

09of 22

Good to Glow

Nicole Kidman, Zoe Saldaña.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Special Ops: LionesscostarsNicole KidmanandZoe Saldañaposed cheek to cheek from inside the Barker Hangar.

10of 22Lots of LaughsAngelina Jolie and Massimo Cantini Parrini.Michael Buckner/Variety via GettyAngelina Joliehad a laugh as she caught up withMariacostume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini.

10of 22

Lots of Laughs

Angelina Jolie and Massimo Cantini Parrini.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Angelina Joliehad a laugh as she caught up withMariacostume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini.

11of 22Leading LadiesMargaret Qualley and Ariana Grande.Michael Buckner/Variety via GettyMargaret QualleyandAriana Grande— who were both nominated for best supporting actress — were glowing as they caught up in the audience.

11of 22

Leading Ladies

Margaret Qualley and Ariana Grande.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Margaret QualleyandAriana Grande— who were both nominated for best supporting actress — were glowing as they caught up in the audience.

12of 22Backstage BlissNatasha Lyonne.Michael Kovac/GettyAs one of the night’s presenters,Natasha Lyonnesmiled backstage in a leather gown paired with a classic diamond necklace.

12of 22

Backstage Bliss

Natasha Lyonne.Michael Kovac/Getty

As one of the night’s presenters,Natasha Lyonnesmiled backstage in a leather gown paired with a classic diamond necklace.

13of 22Strike a PoseMyha’la and Colman Domingo.Michael Buckner/Variety via GettyIndustry’sMyha’laandColman Domingosmiled together amid Friday’s ceremony.

13of 22

Strike a Pose

Myha’la and Colman Domingo.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Industry’sMyha’laandColman Domingosmiled together amid Friday’s ceremony.

14of 22Sealed with a KissMegan Stalter and Hannah Einbinder.Michael Buckner/Variety via GettyBest supporting actress in a comedy series winnerHannah Einbindergave a sweet smooch toMegan Stalter.

14of 22

Sealed with a Kiss

Megan Stalter and Hannah Einbinder.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Best supporting actress in a comedy series winnerHannah Einbindergave a sweet smooch toMegan Stalter.

15of 22Dashing DuoLupita Nyong’o and Chelsea Handler.Michael Kovac/GettyLupita Nyong’oandChelsea Handlerwere all smiles as they posed together backstage.

15of 22

Dashing Duo

Lupita Nyong’o and Chelsea Handler.Michael Kovac/Getty

Lupita Nyong’oandChelsea Handlerwere all smiles as they posed together backstage.

16of 22Hey, You!Jimmy O. Yang and Randall Park.Michael Kovac/GettyJimmy O. Yang pointed to fellow presenterRandall Parkas the two passed some time backstage.

16of 22

Hey, You!

Jimmy O. Yang and Randall Park.Michael Kovac/Getty

Jimmy O. Yang pointed to fellow presenterRandall Parkas the two passed some time backstage.

17of 22Streaming StarsNicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber.Rodin Eckenroth/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via GettyThe Perfect CouplecostarsNicole KidmanandLiev Schreiberhad a reunion in between the night’s announcements.

17of 22

Streaming Stars

Nicole Kidman and Liev Schreiber.Rodin Eckenroth/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty

Rodin Eckenroth/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty

The Perfect CouplecostarsNicole KidmanandLiev Schreiberhad a reunion in between the night’s announcements.

18of 22Bring It InKathryn Hahn and David Harbour.Michael Kovac/GettyCo-presentersKathryn Hahn and David Harbourshared a sweet moment backstage.

18of 22

Bring It In

Kathryn Hahn and David Harbour.Michael Kovac/Getty

Co-presentersKathryn Hahn and David Harbourshared a sweet moment backstage.

19of 22Star PowerEdwin Hodge, Skye P. Marshall, Leighton Meester and Aldis Hodge.Michael Kovac/GettyEdwin Hodge, Skye P. Marshall,Leighton Meesterand Aldis Hodge were picture perfect in in the audience.

19of 22

Star Power

Edwin Hodge, Skye P. Marshall, Leighton Meester and Aldis Hodge.Michael Kovac/Getty

Edwin Hodge, Skye P. Marshall,Leighton Meesterand Aldis Hodge were picture perfect in in the audience.

20of 22

To the Nines

Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Shanola Hampton.Michael Kovac/Getty

21of 22Sister, SisterKate Hudson and Meredith Hagner.Michael Kovac/GettySisters-in-lawKate HudsonandMeredith Hagnerflashed soft smiles after presenting the first award of the night.

21of 22

Sister, Sister

Kate Hudson and Meredith Hagner.Michael Kovac/Getty

Sisters-in-lawKate HudsonandMeredith Hagnerflashed soft smiles after presenting the first award of the night.

22of 22In Front of the CameraJason Reitman and Denis Villeneuve.Michael Buckner/Variety via GettyDirectorsJason ReitmanandDenis Villeneuvestepped in front of the camera for a change at the Barker Hangar.

22of 22

In Front of the Camera

Jason Reitman and Denis Villeneuve.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

DirectorsJason ReitmanandDenis Villeneuvestepped in front of the camera for a change at the Barker Hangar.

source: people.com