APPLETON, Wis. — Kristen Bell is set to host the 32nd Annual Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA this Sunday, March 1, bringing her signature lighthearted style to the newly renamed ceremony. The event, streaming live globally on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, marks Bell's third time at the helm of what was previously known as the SAG Awards. In a recent interview with Deadline, Bell outlined her approach to the gig, emphasizing a welcoming, goof-filled atmosphere over sharp roasts or heavy political commentary.
Bell, known for roles in films like Frozen and the Netflix series Nobody Wants This, told Deadline via Zoom from her home that she steers clear of the biting humor popularized by hosts like Nikki Glaser. “I don’t roast. It’s not in me,” she said. “If I’m going to roast anyone, it’s going to be me. That’s what’s funniest to me. So it will be light and goofy and hopefully still make you laugh. But I want everyone to feel welcome.”
Her aversion to mean-spirited jokes runs deep, leading her to reframe them as “goofs” for a more playful tone. “I have an aversion to mean jokes, so I call them goofs because it’s a slightly more playful name,” Bell explained. “So I’ll be goofing on people. You’d better bet your butt I’ll be goofing on people, but no one’s going to walk away with hurt feelings.” She added that her humor is designed never to “tear a hole in your stomach,” ensuring even big-name actors feel at ease.
When asked about the temptation to tease high-profile attendees, Bell was unfazed. “I wouldn’t say there’s anyone I’m afraid to make a joke about,” she noted, “but understand that’s through the lens of my jokes are never going to tear a hole in your stomach.” This approach aligns with her personal philosophy of fostering positivity, even amid the glamour of Hollywood's awards season.
Bell also dismissed the idea of delving into political or heavier topics during the show. “It’s not my vibe. It never has been,” she said. “Mainly because I wouldn’t do it well. I don’t really see the good that comes out of it. It doesn’t fall out of my mouth very well.” Instead, she envisions the hosting role as an extension of her everyday life as a mother and entertainer, likening it to organizing a casual gathering.
“I like hosting. I’m a mom,” Bell shared. “Literally, there’s going to be a play date here — what time is it? In less than an hour. So sometimes we got two, three, four, five, six girls over here. I have dinner parties. I like cooking a meal and putting up place mats and telling my guests, ‘Don’t worry about taking your shoes off. The house is a mess anyway. Just come in and enjoy yourself.’” She described her goal as creating a “welcoming atmosphere of, isn’t it crazy that we’re all here? Let’s celebrate,” while keeping the focus off herself.
This isn't Bell's first rodeo with the awards. She made history in 2018 as the first-ever host of the SAG Awards, setting a tone of accessibility and fun. She returned in 2025, where one standout moment was her performance of “Do You Want to Be an Actor?,” a parody set to the tune of Frozen's “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” The song, co-written with Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, the original Frozen composers, earned widespread acclaim and brought the audience to its feet.
Reflecting on that 2025 highlight, Bell wondered aloud if she had raised the bar too high. “I wonder if I shot myself in the foot by doing the best song bit ever,” she told Deadline. “But that came from everyone. The team was like, ‘What if we …?’ And it matched up perfectly.” With Frozen III currently in production, fans are speculating about another musical moment this year. Bell expressed enthusiasm but stressed relevance.
“I certainly love to sing at any point in time,” she said. “I just want to make sure that it’s applicable enough to the show, because people are not tuning in for a Kristen Bell concert, they’re tuning in to watch the Actor Awards. So provided that I feel like it gives more than it takes, I would love to.” She ruled out random performances, joking, “I can’t just decide to sing ‘My Heart Will Go On’ because I’ve always wanted to sing it as the opener. Just can you imagine I just have the microphone, I decide to sing something for my repertoire for no reason?”
I certainly love to sing at any point in time. I just want to make sure that it’s applicable enough to the show, because people are not tuning in for a Kristen Bell concert.
Bell's preparation for the high-stakes event includes practical measures to manage nerves. She revealed using beta blockers to steady her performance, particularly for any singing. “Obviously I’m not a medical professional,” she cautioned, “but when I have to sing on stage, breath control is so linked to your heartbeat and your nervous system performance. And if I am super nervous and dysregulated because I’m in my head and overthinking, I have to be able to be grounded in order to have diaphragm control.”
She continued, “So I take them when I sing and then I took one before I host, and it was great because it just takes the heart palpitations away. So no, I get anticipation and excitement, but not a paralyzing nervousness.” This method, she said, allows her to stay present and deliver her best work without being overwhelmed.
Looking back on her 2018 hosting debut, Bell shared a cherished backstage encounter that exemplifies her warm personality. While rushing between segments, she bumped into nominee Sam Rockwell, who was up for Supporting Actor for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Unable to contain her admiration, she pulled him aside. “I remember when I hosted in 2018, on one of my travels from A to B backstage, I ran into Sam Rockwell,” she recalled. “And I couldn’t even walk to my next mark without cornering him and being like, ‘You are so, so brilliant. And I know this is so annoying, but I have to just get it out of my body and let the compliment land on you. And I need you to take it because I otherwise I’ll spend my whole life being like, Oh, I wish I could tell him how great he is.'”
Bell is a firm advocate for freely giving praise. “I’m a big believer that when you have a compliment inside you, you’ve got to give it away,” she said. “You’ve got to tell the waitress that they have pretty eyes. You have to tell your friends they did a good job. I often send people voice memos when I see them in projects or see them on a billboard or have any sort of success. I think compliments need to be reckless and recklessly be given up.” This mindset, she believes, contributes to a more supportive industry environment.
The Actor Awards, formerly the Screen Actors Guild Awards, have evolved under SAG-AFTRA's guidance to celebrate acting excellence across film and television. The 2026 iteration comes at a time when streaming platforms like Netflix are increasingly central to awards conversations, with the ceremony's global broadcast underscoring that shift. Bell's hosting, with its emphasis on inclusivity and joy, reflects broader efforts in Hollywood to make high-profile events more approachable amid ongoing industry challenges like strikes and production changes.
As anticipation builds for Sunday's show, Bell's fans and industry watchers alike are eager to see how her “goofy” energy plays out on stage. Whether she incorporates another song or sticks to her welcoming script, her track record suggests a night of laughter without the sting. The event promises to honor outstanding performances while reminding attendees — and viewers at home — of the camaraderie that binds the acting community.