What started as playful banter between Chelsea Handler and Ralph Fiennes at the Critics Choice Awards has stirred up the Hollywood rumor mill, especially after their sighting at Oscars after-party.
- March 5, 2025
AceShowbiz - Chelsea Handler and Ralph Fiennes ignited romance rumors. On Oscars night, the "Chelsea Lately" alum, 50, and the Oscar-nominated "Conclave" star, 62, were seen leaving the Vanity Fair after-party arm-in-arm, laughing and chatting.
Partying together at the soiree held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Los Angeles, both celebrities looked stunning - Chelsea in a strapless silver gown by Khoon Hooi and Fiennes in a classic black-tie tuxedo. Their chemistry was palpable, amplifying rumors of a budding romance.
Handler, known for her comedic prowess, hasn't confirmed any romantic ties to Fiennes. However, she did open up about her dating life recently during an appearance on "The Jamie Kern Lima Show". "I'm seeing someone now that I'm very attracted to," she shared, though she did not confirm the identity of her new beau.
The unexpected duo first publicly crossed paths at the 2025 Critics Choice Awards, where Handler humorously opened up about her attraction to Fiennes due to his various antagonistic roles such as "a ruthless Nazi, an evil lord and a celibate cardinal."
The two teamed up in a playful skit, reenacting Nicole Kidman's iconic milk-drinking scene from the racy thriller, "Babygirl". "Good girl. Good girl. Good girl," Fiennes urged Handler as she downed a glass of milk on stage, much to the audience's amusement.
While Handler remains candid about her love life, she's also set boundaries, stating in a podcast with Alex Cooper that she prefers to keep her relationships private.
"I don't want him to have to be exposed to my world," she remarked, hinting at her experiences from her past public relationship with comedian Jo Koy. "I'm very honest and upfront with anyone who I'm dating, that you may not be the only one," she added. Being open yet discreet seems to be the comedian's new mantra.
Meanwhile, Fiennes stays equally reticent about his personal life. Divorced from actress Alex Kingston since 1997, the British actor has mostly flown under the radar but was briefly rumored to be dating filmmaker Svetlana Zill in 2023.
His light-hearted interactions with Handler at the Critics Choice Awards and Vanity Fair party has sparked curiosity about his relationship status.
Could this be Hollywood's newest power couple, or are they simply enjoying each other's company? Only time will tell - but for now, their playful exchanges offers an engaging subplot to this year's award season narratives.
