Nikki Glaser returned to host the 2026 Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, Jan. 11, and she wasted no time going after one of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
The 41-year-old comedian took direct aim at Leonardo DiCaprio during her opening monologue at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Her joke about his well-known dating preferences landed hard—and DiCaprio couldn’t help but smile.
This marked Glaser’s second consecutive year hosting the prestigious awards show, and she proved once again why she’s become such a fan favorite.
The Joke That Had Everyone Talking
Glaser didn’t hold back when addressing the 51-year-old actor’s dating history. She kicked off her monologue with a playful reference to his film One Battle After Another, calling him out for being there “for ‘one man bun after another.'”
Then came the punchline that sent ripples through the audience.
What a career you’ve had, countless iconic performances, you’ve worked with every great director, you’ve won three Golden Globes, an Oscar and the most impressive thing is you were able to accomplish all of that before your girlfriend turned 30.
DiCaprio smiled and looked down as the room erupted. The actor has been most recently linked to model Vittoria Ceretti, 27.
Why She Went There
Glaser immediately followed up with a mock apology, acknowledging the joke was “cheap” but defending her choice with brutal honesty.
Leo, I’m sorry I made that joke, it’s cheap. I tried not to but, you know, we don’t know anything else about you, man. There’s nothing else, open up.
To drive her point home, Glaser said she “searched” for deeper material about the notoriously private actor. What she found was slim pickings.
She joked that “the most in-depth interview you’ve ever given was in Teen Beat magazine in 1991,” before asking if his favorite food was still “pasta, pasta and more pasta.”
DiCaprio laughed, pointed at Glaser, and gave her a playful thumbs up—a sign that he was taking the roast in stride.
The Strategy Behind the Roast
Earlier in the month, Glaser spoke with PEOPLE about preparing for her hosting gig. She acknowledged that DiCaprio would be an obvious target, especially with his film One Battle After Another leading the nominations.
But she wanted to avoid retreading old ground.
My goal is always to try to not do what’s expected or try to challenge myself to not say the thing that people are going to expect and try something else. That’s going to be the challenge this year, is just finding anything else about him that is right for mockery, but not mockery.
Despite her teasing, Glaser made it clear she respects DiCaprio’s work. She called him “a legend” and praised his performance in One Battle After Another.
When Respect Meets Roasting
Glaser explained that her ability to land harder jokes comes from genuine admiration. When she’s truly a fan, audiences can sense the affection behind the barbs.
When I’m really a fan, which I am of so many of these people, that’s when I can go a bit harder, because it really does come from a place of love and knowing that I’m nothing compared to you.
She added that people can usually tell when a comedian is being disingenuous. Authenticity matters, especially in a room full of Hollywood’s elite.
Glaser noted that this year’s show featured even bigger star power than her first hosting gig in 2025, which she called “without a doubt the most fun I have ever had in my career.”
The Evolution of Awards Show Hosting
In her pre-show interview, Glaser teased other potential targets, including the growing presence of podcasters at awards shows.
There’s going to be some big, big hitters in the room, and there’s podcasts this year, which is also going to be a hilarious thing to joke about.
She even joked about DiCaprio’s vape pen making an appearance at the ceremony, showing her willingness to poke fun at every aspect of celebrity culture.
Why This Approach Works
Glaser’s hosting style strikes a careful balance between edgy humor and genuine appreciation. She pushes boundaries without crossing into mean-spiritedness.
Her willingness to acknowledge when a joke is “cheap” while still committing to it demonstrates self-awareness that resonates with audiences. She’s not pretending to be above the material—she’s inviting everyone in on the joke.
The comedian’s strategy of avoiding expected punchlines also keeps her material fresh. While DiCaprio’s dating life has been comedy fodder for years, Glaser found a new angle by highlighting his inaccessibility to the press.
DiCaprio’s Good Sport Moment
DiCaprio’s positive reaction to Glaser’s jokes showed why these roasts work when done right. His thumbs-up and laughter signaled that he understood the nature of awards show humor.
Being able to laugh at yourself in front of millions demonstrates confidence and likability—qualities that only enhance a celebrity’s public image.
The 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards aired on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. EST, giving audiences front-row seats to Glaser’s masterclass in awards show hosting.
Her return to the Golden Globes stage proved that sometimes the best comedy comes from saying what everyone’s thinking—just with a little more flair and a lot more courage.