Adam Brody and Leighton Meester glow at Critics Choice 2026
American actors Adam Brody and Leighton Meester put on a united and affectionate display at the 31st annual Critics Choice Awards, with Meester stepping out in full support of her husband at the star-studded ceremony in Santa Monica on Sunday night.
The longtime couple, who have been married for nearly 12 years, walked the red carpet together and immediately drew attention as one of the evening’s most loved-up pairs, effortlessly holding their own among both the best- and worst-dressed celebrities of the night.
Meester, 39, turned heads in a lavender-purple gown featuring a strapless, corset-style silhouette.
The semi-sheer dress was intricately embroidered throughout and designed by Carolina Herrera.
She accessorized with delicate diamond earrings and rings from Chopard and added a coral-red lip for a striking contrast. Her honey-blonde hair was styled in soft, old Hollywood-inspired waves, completing a classic yet modern red carpet look.
Brody, 46, took a different fashion direction, choosing tones that intentionally did not match his wife’s ensemble. The Nobody Wants This star wore a cream satin button-down shirt beneath a gray pinstriped suit, finishing the look with a tie accented in deep red and royal blue hues.
The couple first crossed paths while filming The Oranges in 2011 and married in February 2014. Known for fiercely guarding their privacy, they have occasionally shared insights into their enduring relationship over the years.
Together, they are parents to two children: their daughter Arlo Day, now 10, and a five-year-old son whose name they have chosen not to make public.
Meester’s appearance came as Brody celebrated another major milestone in his career. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in Nobody Wants This. The Netflix comedy returned for its second season in October 2025, with Meester also making a guest appearance on the show.
Brody previously received a nomination in the same category last year for the series’ first season, and went on to win the award, making this year’s nod especially significant.
The couple had last attended the Critics Choice Awards together in early 2025, a difficult time that followed the devastating Palisades fire, which destroyed their home. Their return to the ceremony this year marked a visible moment of resilience and togetherness.
The 31st annual Critics Choice Awards took place at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, with Chelsea Handler returning as host for the fourth consecutive year. Often viewed as one of Hollywood’s most reliable predictors of Oscar success, the ceremony once again positioned itself as a crucial launchpad for awards-season momentum.
That reputation was underscored last year when Anora used its Critics Choice Best Picture win to regain momentum after missing out at the Golden Globe and SAG Awards, ultimately carrying that success through to the Academy Awards.
Acting winners Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña also went on to repeat their Critics Choice victories at the Oscars.
With the Golden Globe Awards not airing until January 11, the Critics Choice Awards assumed center stage as the first major televised awards ceremony of 2026, offering studios and contenders an early and influential boost.
This year’s ceremony was led by Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which dominated the field with an astonishing 17 nominations across film and television categories, just one shy of Barbie’s record-setting 18 nominations in 2024.
Comedy categories featured a blend of established favorites and breakout performances, with nominees including Adam Brody and Kristen Bell (Nobody Wants This), Ted Danson (A Man on the Inside), Jean Smart (Hacks), Danny McBride (The Righteous Gemstones), and Seth Rogen (The Studio).