Leonardo DiCaprio had an awkward callout at the Critics' Choice Awards. The show's host, Chelsea Handler, shared that DiCaprio almost missed the awards ceremony due to travel restrictions and the fact that he was in the Caribbean with Jeff Bezos.
Handler joked that DiCaprio almost missed the show due to his vacation on the island of St. Barts, where he enjoyed some time off alongside his partner, Vittoria Ceretti, and friends like Tom Brady.
The joke takes advantage of DiCaprio's reputation as one of Hollywood's biggest proponents of environmentalism and the wellness of the planet. She also made a great "Titanic" joke.
"Leo almost didn’t make it tonight because he was trapped on a boat in St. Barts. It was just like the Titanic, but worse… because Jeff Bezos was there," she said. The camera captured the moment DiCaprio heard the joke, laughing along with the audience.
DiCaprio missed the Palm Springs International Film Festival, hosted on January 3rd. DiCaprio's attendance was supposed to be the festival's grand closure, with him being honored with the Desert Palm Achievement Award for his performance in the film "One Battle After Another."
The festival shared a statement sharing that DiCaprio wouldn't be able to attend due to "unexpected travel disruptions and restricted airspace."
"While we will miss celebrating with him in person, we are honored to recognize his exceptional work and lasting contributions to cinema. His talent and dedication to the craft continue to inspire," continued the statement.
DiCaprio accepted the award via video message, encouraging people to advocate for the cinematic experience. “I wish I was there to celebrate with all of you. I’m truly grateful to be a part of it, even from the distance,” he said.
“Movies are still meant to be experienced together, in a theater. Right now, that belief matters more than ever. Original films are harder to make and harder to protect. But movies still matter — not content, but cinema. Stories made by people meant to be shared in a dark room in a communal experience.”
DiCaprio's friendship with the Bezos
DiCaprio's friendship with Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Bezos dates back years. Most recently, DiCaprio and Ceretti were seen hanging out with the Bezos aboard their yacht off the coast of St. Barts.
Last summer, DiCaprio spent part of his summer with the Sanchez Bezos, with him and Ceretti traveling to Ibiza with Sanchez Bezos and Bezos shortly after the couple hosted a lavish wedding in Venice.