Nikki Glaser Jabs Leonardo DiCaprio at Golden Globes Over Dating Younger Women

Nikki Glaser Takes a Playful Jab at Leonardo DiCaprio During 2026 Golden Globes

Nikki Glaser, the host of the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, made a bold and humorous opening monologue that included a playful jab at Leonardo DiCaprio. The comedian, who returned for her second year as host, delivered a series of jokes that showcased her sharp wit and ability to engage with the audience.

During her remarks, Glaser joked about DiCaprio’s dating history, saying, "Leonardo DiCaprio is here for ‘one man bun after another’ … 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, who smiled and looked down during the comment, seemed to take it in stride.

Glaser added, "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 support her point, the comedian mentioned that the most in-depth interview DiCaprio has ever given was in Teen Beat magazine in 1991. She then asked, "Is your favorite food still pasta, pasta and more pasta?" DiCaprio laughed, pointed at Glaser, and gave her a playful thumbs up.

A Return to the Golden Globes Stage

Glaser is no stranger to the Golden Globes stage. After making her hosting debut in 2025, she called the experience “without a doubt the most fun I have ever had in my career.” Earlier this month, she spoke about how she was preparing for the gig this time around. "There’s lots to joke about this year — and the star power in the room is going to be bigger than ever. I mean, it’s bigger than last year," she said. "I kind of have to keep wrapping my head around the kind of that are going to be present in this room."

During the interview, she also poked fun at DiCaprio, whose latest film One Battle After Another led the nominations this year: "I mean, Leo’s vape pen is going to be there. So excited to see that."

While Glaser noted that she wanted to avoid “the Leo jokes we’ve heard 25 times,” that didn’t mean the actor would be entirely in the clear. "My goal is always to try to not do what’s expected or try to challenge myself to not say the thing that are going to expect and try something else," she said. "That’s going to be the challenge this year, is just finding anything else about [DiCaprio] that is right for mockery, but not mockery."

Balancing Humor and Respect

Glaser emphasized that she respects the work of the celebrities she jokes about. "Also, he’s a legend and was incredible in One Battle After Another," she added. "So that’s also the other thing — as long as I really like these and respect what they do, I can get away with saying something negative."

She explained that she can usually "tell" if she’s "lying and being like, ‘I’m such a fan!’ And then I say something a little bit critical." However, when she’s truly a fan, which she is of many of these individuals, she feels comfortable being a bit more critical. "But when I’m really a fan, which I am of so many of these , 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."

The Golden Globes Showcased Big Names

The 2026 Golden Globe Awards took place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 11. The event featured a lineup of big names, including DiCaprio, and highlighted the best in television and film. Glaser’s performance was a standout moment, showcasing her ability to balance humor with respect for the industry’s top talents.

The show also featured a number of other notable moments, including discussions about the growing influence of podcasts in the entertainment industry. "There’s podcasts this year, which is also going to be a hilarious thing to joke about," Glaser said.

As the ceremony wrapped up, fans and critics alike were left talking about Glaser’s performance and the star-studded event. With its mix of humor, nostalgia, and celebration of the arts, the 2026 Golden Globes proved to be a memorable night for everyone involved.