Ariana Grande Brutally Roasted After Leighton Meester Seemingly ‘Mocked’ Her On Red Carpet

Actress Leighton Meester appeared to mock Ariana Grande backstage at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards, according to viewers.

The awards, which honor the highest achievements in film and television from 2025, were presented on Sunday (January 4) in Santa Monica, California. They were hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler for the fourth consecutive year.

Leighton Meester in a detailed pink gown on the red carpet, linked to Ariana Grande roasted controversy.

Viewers claimed that Leighton Meester subtly mocked Ariana Grande at the Critics Choice Awards

Image credits: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Some of the biggest names in Hollywood attended the ceremony, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Ethan Hawke, and Benicio del Toro.

One Battle After Another took home the evening’s top honor, Best Picture, with its creator, Paul Thomas Anderson, also winning Best Director.

Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor for Marty Supreme, while Jessie Buckley picked up the Best Actress award for Hamnet.

Leighton Meester posing on the red carpet in a purple dress at the Critics Choice Awards event.

Image credits: Savion Washington/WireImage

Tweet screenshot showing a user questioning if Leighton Meester mocked Ariana Grande on the red carpet with an eye-rolling emoji.

Image credits: pstnspov

Screenshot of a Twitter reply criticizing Ariana Grande's acting amid red carpet roasting controversy.

Image credits: Barbie0nikerr71

As always, what unfolded behind the scenes attracted as much attention as the televised show itself.

Among the moments that went viral on social media was an interaction between Ariana Grande, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Wicked: For Good, and Leighton Meester.

A video shows the We Can’t Be Friends singer expressing her excitement after spotting Leighton from across the room before the ceremony.

Leighton Meester laughing and covering face in a pink embellished dress at an event, amid Ariana Grande roasting buzz.

A viral video shows Ariana reacting enthusiastically to seeing Leighton, prompting Leighton to echo Ariana’s words

Image credits: enews

“I love you so much!” Ariana told Leighton at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. “Wow, wow, wow!”

Leighton simply replied by appearing to imitate Ariana’s interjection, saying back, “Wow, wow, wow!”

Her tone led many netizens to believe she was making fun of the Grammy winner.

Ariana Grande and Leighton Meester on the red carpet, with tension over a seemingly mocking moment.

Ariana Grande reacting on the red carpet wearing a pink embellished dress with a sheer cape during an event.

Image credits: enews

“Did you guys see the way Leighton lowkey mocked Ariana’s wow??” one viewer asked on Reddit.

“I don’t trust people that say ‘I love you’ that easily,” shared someone else.

“I feel like it’s so weird as a celebrity to be like, LOVE YOU SO MUCH to another celeb like this, especially one who’s a little more serious like Leighton,” added another.

Leighton Meester laughing and interacting on the red carpet during an event, with photographers nearby capturing moments.

The moment became one of the most discussed celebrity interactions of the night

Image credits: enews

“I do believe she is a genuinely huge fan of Leighton because she was a huge fan of Gossip Girl, but even if that’s the case she says ‘I love you’ to EVERYONE that it’s lost any sincerity or meaning,” read another comment.

Some claimed Ariana’s reaction to seeing the Gossip Girl alum was overly exaggerated or even sarcastic. “She’s acting like this is her first week in Hollywood after doing nothing but watching tv from a cave her entire life.”

Tweet from user lys commenting on meeting Blair Waldorf, referencing Ariana Grande and Leighton Meester red carpet interaction.

Image credits: nevergettingliv

Tweet showing user questioning if Leighton Meester mocked Ariana Grande during a red carpet event.

Image credits: azzurrochurro

Wow, wow, wow. 🤩 This moment between Ariana Grande, Leighton Meester, and Adam Brody has changed us for good. #CriticsChoice#AwardsSeasonpic.twitter.com/I3bpqrdLvZ

— E! News (@enews) January 4, 2026

“Always with the feet shuffling, the oldest toddler on earth,” wrote a separate critic.

“That ‘wowwowwow’ she gave to Leighton sounded SO sarcastic,” one viewer said.

Ariana had made a post about Gossip Girl, Leighton’s teen drama series

Screenshot of Ariana Grande tweet saying Chuck and Blair forever with engagement details after Leighton Meester's red carpet mock.

Image credits: br4tcom

Before the ceremony, Ariana spoke about Wicked, one of the biggest projects of her career, saying she was finally ready to turn the page and focus on her music.

“I think we’re really proud of what we’ve done, and it was an amazing chapter,” she told E! News while reflecting on saying farewell to her character, Glinda. “And now we’ve given it to the world and get to let them have it and enjoy it. It feels peaceful.” 

The 32-year-old is preparing to embark on her Eternal Sunshine Tour, marking her first concert trek in six years.

Woman with blonde hair wearing a gold necklace and burgundy top, related to Ariana Grande brutal roast after Leighton Meester mock.

Image credits: itsmeleighton

Screenshot of a tweet mentioning Ariana Grande related to a gossip topic involving Leighton Meester on the red carpet.

Image credits: Joshsmart456

Tweet from user filmjeonn reading she's just like me, related to Ariana Grande brutally roasted after Leighton Meester mocking on red carpet.

Image credits: filmjeonn

Ariana’s tour of her 2024 album is expected to kick off in June and include 41 shows across North America and the UK.

“I’ve been working on the set list for months now. It’s in a good place, but we’ll never know until we get into the rehearsals—which are starting very soon—and we put things on their feet if it’ll make sense or not,” she said.

The tour will be far smaller than her last trek, which spanned 10 months with nearly 100 dates, as per Billboard. 

Ariana Grande posing in a pink embellished dress with makeup, involved in a red carpet controversy with Leighton Meester.

The singer is preparing for her Eternal Sunshine Tour, her first in six years

Image credits: manthony783

The pop star explained that scaling back the number of shows was necessary for both her health and her plans to balance music with upcoming acting projects.

“Very silly of you all to assume that just because i have my hands full with many things that i plan to abandon singing & music … !!!” she wrote on Instagram last July.

“It may not look exactly like it did before but I much prefer how it looks in my head … so I’m working on a plan to sing for you all next year. even if it’s just for a little.”

Ariana Grande sitting on a couch in casual clothes, smiling and hugging a white plush toy indoors.

Image credits: arianagrande

Ariana is set to star as a voice actress in an animated film based on Dr. Seuss’ final book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! The project will be helmed by Jon M. Chu, who directed Wicked.

She will also star in Focker In-Law, a new film in the Meet the Parents franchise, and appear in the thirteenth season of the horror anthology series American Horror Story. 

Online comments reacting to Ariana Grande being roasted after Leighton Meester's red carpet mock.

Viewers shared their thoughts on Ariana and Leighton’s backstage moment

Comment on Ariana Grande brutally roasted after Leighton Meester seemingly mocked her on red carpet, expressing admiration for Blair Waldorf.

Comment mentioning Ariana secretly hating Leighton after a sarcastic remark during a red carpet event.

Screenshot of online comment discussing Leighton Meester's reaction and Ariana Grande’s persona on the red carpet.

Leighton Meester on red carpet, seemingly mocking Ariana Grande during a heated celebrity moment.

User comment criticizing Ariana Grande’s sincerity in expressing love, sparking online roast after Leighton Meester’s red carpet mock.

Screenshot of an online comment reacting to a moment involving Ariana Grande on the red carpet.

Comment on social media post expressing frustration about a celebrity's awkward baby walk and role-playing behavior.

Comment text on a social media platform discussing Leighton Meester’s confident demeanor amid Ariana Grande being roasted.

Red carpet moment where Ariana Grande appears to be roasted after Leighton Meester’s seemingly mocking gesture.

Comment from a user reacting to Ariana Grande being roasted after Leighton Meester seemingly mocked her on the red carpet.

Screenshot of a social media comment mocking Ariana Grande, referencing Leighton Meester's red carpet interaction.

Screenshot of a social media comment reacting to Ariana Grande being roasted after Leighton Meester seemingly mocked her.

Screenshot of a comment discussing Ariana Grande being roasted after Leighton Meester appeared to mock her on the red carpet.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing Ariana Grande being roasted after Leighton Meester’s apparent mocking on the red carpet.

Comment on a celebrity roast, mentioning Ariana Grande and Leighton Meester’s red carpet interaction with a humorous tone.

Text comment criticizing Ariana Grande, suggesting more celebrities should mock her, referencing Ariana Grande brutally roasted.

Screenshot of an online comment expressing distrust about people who say I love you too easily.

Comment on social platform discussing Ariana Grande being roasted after Leighton Meester’s red carpet moment.

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