With the 2026 Golden Globe Awards just hours away, Nikki Glaser is making one thing clear: she won’t be holding back. The comedian and actress, who returns as host for the second year in a row, says every celebrity in the room — including plus ones — could find themselves on the receiving end of her jokes.
“Everyone is fair game. I really feel that way,” Glaser, 41, told PEOPLE exclusively while attending the Golden Globes’ red carpet rollout event at the Beverly Hilton on Jan. 8.
Initially, Glaser considered sparing guests who weren’t nominees. “I was even thinking, like, ‘Oh, I’ll leave plus ones alone. They’re not there being honored,’” she said. “But I feel like that’s fair too.”
Comedy Without Crossing the Line
Known for her sharp observational humor, Glaser insists her jokes always come from a place of affection rather than cruelty. She acknowledged that some celebrities are viewed as “protected figures,” but says that won’t stop her from poking fun — as long as the subject can laugh along.
“If the person that I’m doing the joke to laughs, I think that’s reason enough for me to do it,” she said. “I’m not gonna be so mean that anyone is going to hate me for the rest of their careers, or I’m gonna have to avoid them for the rest of mine.”
Glaser emphasized that she only jokes about people she genuinely admires. “I wouldn’t do a joke about someone that I actually didn’t like,” she explained. “If I do write a joke about you, it’s because I admire you and think you’re cool and have a good sense of humor.”
Making Golden Globes History
Glaser first hosted the Golden Globes in 2025, becoming the first woman to host the awards show solo. Her performance earned widespread praise for balancing fearless jokes with warmth, leading organizers to invite her back for the 83rd ceremony. Golden Globes president Helen Hoehne previously praised Glaser for bringing a “refreshing spark and fearless wit” to the show — qualities Glaser plans to lean into again this year.
A Big Night for Film and Television
The 2026 Golden Globes are shaping up to be a competitive evening. Among films, One Battle After Another leads with nine nominations, followed by Sentimental Value with eight and Sinners with seven. On the television side, The White Lotus tops the list with six nominations, while Adolescence follows close behind with five. The nominee list includes some of Hollywood’s biggest names, such as Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Roberts, Michael B. Jordan, Timothée Chalamet, George Clooney, and Leonardo DiCaprio.
All Eyes on Jan. 11
The 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards will take place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 11. The ceremony will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET. With Glaser promising unfiltered humor and Hollywood’s elite filling the room, the 2026 Golden Globes are poised to deliver plenty of laughs — and likely a few uncomfortable reactions.
