In the high-stakes world of Hollywood awards season, we’ve come to expect a certain level of untouchable glamour: diamond-encrusted necklines, six-figure couture, and enough champagne to fill a backyard swimming pool. But as the 2026 awards circuit reminds us, there is one thing that even a multi-million dollar paycheck cannot seemingly buy: a decent, hot meal during a four-hour telecast.
While fans at home are often tucking into takeout, the A-listers in the room are increasingly pulling back the curtain on the “hunger games” of the industry. From “pizza in a bag” to “3D printed” appetizers, the stars have officially reached their breaking point with awards show catering. This shift toward “radical honesty” about the less-than-luxurious reality of these events has become a staple of digital discourse, proving that “hangry” is a universal language, even for the elite.
The most shocking example of the “dinner-less gala” occurred at the Critics’ Choice Awards, an event that has recently moved to the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. While the venue offers plenty of space for the industry’s heavy hitters, it seems the kitchen facilities haven’t quite kept pace with the guest list. This year, the frustration reached a fever pitch as several stars took to the stage and social media to air their grievances.
1. Janelle James (Critics’ Choice 2026)
The Abbott Elementary star, known for her sharp wit as Principal Ava Coleman, didn’t hold back during her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Clutching her trophy, James quipped, “The best thing about being nominated four times is realizing they’re never gonna feed us at this thing.” Her joke about the menu being limited to “grapes and ice cream every year” sent a ripple of knowing laughter through a room full of people who were clearly eyeing the exit.
2. Stellan Skarsgård (Critics’ Choice 2026)
The veteran actor became the face of awards show hunger when a photo of him looking visibly distressed at a small plate of crackers went viral. In a red carpet interview with Etalk, Skarsgård doubled down on his expression, confirming he was “very disappointed” by the lackluster spread. “No, I’m not [enjoying the food],” he told the reporter with his trademark bluntness. “If you look at the picture, I’m NOT enjoying the food.”
Screenshot from @etalkctv, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.
3. Oprah Winfrey (Critics’ Choice 2024)
Even a billionaire media mogul isn’t immune to a catering catastrophe. During the 2024 ceremony, Oprah was caught on camera with her mouth hanging open in genuine shock as servers began circulating with individual pizza slices tucked inside plastic bags. The moment, which has since been dubbed “Pizza-Gate,” saw the The Color Purple producer pointing to her face and declaring, “I’m not messing up my lips!” for a slice of bagged pepperoni.
4. Fantasia Barrino (Critics’ Choice 2024)
Oprah’s co-star, Fantasia Barrino, provided the perfect vocal accompaniment to the pizza chaos. Giving the camera a hilarious, deadpan stare that launched a thousand memes, she asked the question that everyone in the hangar was thinking: “Where are the lamb chops?” The contrast between her high-fashion look and the request for a substantial meal highlighted the growing absurdity of these “glamour” events.
5. Jen D’Angelo (Critics’ Choice 2024)
Behind the scenes, the sentiment was even more scathing. Film producer Jen D’Angelo shared a candid snap of the bagged pizza on social media, describing the offering as “absolutely revolting 3D printed ass pizza.” The raw honesty from industry insiders like D’Angelo has fueled online speculation that awards show organizers are prioritizing aesthetics and sustainability over the basic needs of their guests, leading to what many fans have compared to the “Fyre Festival” of catering.
Screenshot from @jen_dangelo, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.
6. Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Met Gala 2023)
The 2023 theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” reportedly inspired a menu that replicated a dinner at Lagerfeld’s home, complete with chilled pea soup and salmon. But for Priyanka Chopra Jonas, there was one major oversight. Speaking to Good Morning America after the event, she revealed, “There was no bread for dinner, I was so hungry after.” She joked that her husband, Nick Jonas, had the foresight to order a pizza to their hotel before they even left the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
7. Keke Palmer (Met Gala 2021)
Perhaps the most legendary Met Gala food roast came from Keke Palmer. In 2021, she shared a photo of a wilted-looking plate of barley, mushrooms, and zucchini with the caption, “This is why they don’t show y’all the food 🤪 I’m just playinnnn 👀.” The photo went so viral that it forced the event’s chef, Marcus Samuelsson, to defend the three-course vegan menu. Palmer eventually issued a hilarious “Sorry to this man” apology on X (formerly Twitter), explaining, “I just have different taste buds! I love this Chef.”
Screenshots from Keke Palmer’s official Instagram page, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.
8. Simu Liu (Oscars 2024)
The Barbie star provided one of the most comprehensive food reviews in recent history. Using the Threads platform, Liu rated his Oscar night dining experience on a scale of 1 to 10. He gave the actual ceremony snacks, pretzels, and candy, a measly 3/10. However, his review of the official Governors Ball was a glowing 11/10, where he admitted he “did nothing but inhale food the whole time,” including Peking duck and wagyu sliders. He even gave the Vanity Fair party a solid 7/10 specifically for the “In-N-Out burgers on tap.”
9. Alex Borstein (SAG Awards 2020)
When the SAG Awards moved to a fully plant-based menu in 2020 to promote environmental awareness, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Alex Borstein was not impressed with the “rabbit food” approach. She posted a photo of her plate, a mix of glazed carrots and bean salad, with the caption, “In the words of John Merrick, ‘I am not a rabbit!’” Borstein’s commentary highlighted the tension between Hollywood’s noble sustainability goals and the basic caloric needs of performers who have been working since dawn.
10. Julia Butters (Oscars 2020)
Perhaps the most iconic “purse snack” moment came from then-10-year-old Julia Butters. The Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood breakout star arrived in a custom Christian Siriano gown with a turkey sandwich stowed inside her bejeweled Marzook bag. “Sometimes the food here is not for me,” she told Variety on the red carpet. “I put a sandwich in my bag… I’m sorry for the vegans.” It was a moment of pure, unscripted logic that resonated with fans worldwide.
11. Gemma Chan (Oscars 2019)
Screenshot from @bokehfff, via Instagram.com. Used under fair use for editorial commentary.
Before Butters, there was Gemma Chan. The Crazy Rich Asians star utilized the massive pockets of her pink Valentino gown to smuggle cookies and rice crackers into the ceremony. “You don’t get dinner,” she explained in a post-show interview, proving that even the most elegant fashion can be functional. This “survival of the chicest” mentality has become a recurring theme in celebrity scrutiny, as fans wait to see which star will be the next to break the “no eating” taboo.