Award-winning actress and comedian Janelle James has been announced as the host of the 32nd Annual Critics Choice Awards, taking place Sunday, January 3, 2027, at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. The Abbott Elementary star will lead the ceremony celebrating outstanding achievements in film, television and streaming.
According to the Critics Choice Association (CCA), Janelle James will host the 32nd Annual Critics Choice Awards, airing live on E! and USA Network on January 3, 2027. The three-hour ceremony will broadcast simultaneously on both coasts from 7:00–10:00 p.m. ET / 4:00–7:00 p.m. PT. The event will continue its combined film and television awards format, recognizing the year’s most exceptional performances and productions.
Nominations for both film and television categories will be announced on December 4th at 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT by Live From E! hosts Erin Lim Rhodes and Will Marfuggi. The announcement will air on E! and USA Network, with coverage available through CriticsChoice.com and E!’s digital platforms. CCA CEO Joey Berlin praised James as one of the industry’s leading comedic talents, expressing excitement about welcoming her as this year’s host.
James is widely recognized for portraying Ava Coleman on ABC’s Abbott Elementary, a role that has earned her five consecutive Emmy nominations and a 2026 Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She has also received multiple NAACP Image Awards and will release her first hour-long Netflix stand-up special, Janelle James: How Romantic, on November 10th. Beyond her acting and comedy career, James is developing the Hulu comedy Rock City alongside David Caspe.
