Nikki Glaser is preparing to take the stage as host of the 2026 Golden Globe Awards, but even the famously fearless comedian admits there’s one Hollywood icon who has her sweating: Julia Roberts. Known for her sharp, no-filter humor, Glaser revealed that roasting America’s Sweetheart may be the toughest challenge of her entire monologue.
In a candid appearance on CBS Mornings, the 41-year-old comedian confessed that joking about Roberts feels like walking into dangerous territory. While Glaser has built her career on saying what others won’t, she admitted that Roberts is in a rare category of celebrities who are nearly impossible to mock without backlash. According to Glaser, even lighthearted jabs at the beloved actress have gone badly during test runs at comedy clubs.
Glaser shared that she’s been workshopping her Golden Globes monologue around Los Angeles, using live audiences to gauge reactions. But every attempt at a Julia Roberts joke, she said, has landed with a thud. In one instance, she barely made it through the setup before the crowd turned on her. The response was so intense that she joked it felt as if Roberts herself were hiding in the audience.
Despite the nerves, Glaser is determined to deliver a monologue that entertains viewers at home without alienating the stars in the room. She acknowledged that the Golden Globes are a particularly tricky event, where audiences expect bold comedy but celebrities still bristle at being the punchline. Striking that balance, she said, is what makes hosting the show one of the hardest jobs in entertainment.
Last year, Glaser earned praise for roasting some of Hollywood’s biggest names, including Nicole Kidman, Harrison Ford, and Ariana Grande. That track record gives fans confidence she can pull it off again, even if Roberts presents a unique challenge. Adding to the pressure, the actress is nominated this year for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her role in the psychological thriller After the Hunt, putting her squarely in the spotlight on awards night.
The situation is made even more awkward by a personal connection that surfaced last year. While attending a Taylor Swift concert in Dublin with her parents, Glaser found herself in the middle of a viral moment involving Roberts and Travis Kelce, who was dating Swift at the time. A video showing Roberts playfully interacting with Kelce sparked commentary from Glaser’s parents, including remarks that quickly spread online and later prompted a public apology.
That brief brush with Roberts’ star power has only heightened Glaser’s awareness of how sensitive the situation is. Now, as the Golden Globes approach, all eyes are on whether she can thread the needle—delivering laughs, pushing boundaries, and somehow joking about one of Hollywood’s most untouchable figures without setting the room on fire.
