Award season is in full swing as the stars take the stage for tonight’s 28th AnnualCritics' Choice Awards. Also in full swing: COVID.
Several stars – including Michelle Pfeiffer, Jamie Lee Curtis, and both stars ofThe Banshees of Inisherin,Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson – have recently announced they will be unable to attend the award ceremony after testing positive.
In their absence, Farrell and Gleeson are being nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards. Farrell recently won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical, which he claimed in person.
The awards ceremony has responded to the latest dropout announcements by implementing a new COVID protocol requiring all attendees to submit negative COVID test results within 72 hours of the event, according toDeadline.
The Critics' Choice Awards is the first award show in 2023 requiring COVID testing and follows on the heels of the Golden Globes, which was referred to as apossible super-spreader eventfollowing related infections.
The Stars are Staying Home
Michelle Pfeifer took to Instagram to announce her absence while also making space to praise Jeff Bridges for his Lifetime Achievement Award:
“I’m so sorry to be missing the Critics Choice Awards today. Yep, Covid. Especially disappointed not to witness @thejeffbridges receive his Lifetime Achievement Award. Pauline Kail said it best - “He (Jeff) may be the most natural and least self-conscious actor that has ever lived.” EVER LIVED. It is what all actors strive for, and Jeff hits it every time…with every role that he slips into. Congratulations Jeff and to all the nominees!”
Jamie Lee Curtis also shared her results on Instagram while lamenting she will be missing multiple award shows as a result of her testing positive for COVID:
“F–k COVID! Sadly, this head cheerleader is not going to be at all the weekend festivities cheering on her friends and colleagues. Life on life’s terms. I’m glad that there are all these home tests available so that I didn’t go to the @americanfilminstitute lunch and spread my germs. I was SO looking forward to going to the @bafta tea and the @criticschoice awards as a nominee and member of a motley crew. I’m so proud of these people, and I look forward to cheering them on through my TV set. Stay safe out there people.”
Chelsea Handler hosts the televised event, which began airing tonight at 7 pm EST on the CW. The ceremony is being held at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
