Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner have found themselves at the center of a media storm, with their relationship drawing both fascination and criticism. The couple, who have been linked since 2023, recently faced a wave of scrutiny after being spotted together at a Beyoncé concert in Los Angeles. The public display of affection between the 28-year-old actor and the 26-year-old beauty mogul has sparked a mix of reactions, ranging from disbelief to outright disapproval.
Kylie Jenner, known for her influential role in the beauty industry as the founder of Kylie Cosmetics, addressed the criticism in an interview with The New York Times. When asked about the speculation that her recent conservative fashion choices were influenced by Chalamet, Jenner expressed her discomfort. “I don’t know how I feel about that,” she said, adding, “I just don’t want to talk about personal things.” Jenner emphasized that her focus remains on her business and products, rather than her personal life or appearance.
Jenner attributed her style evolution to the birth of her son, Aire Webster, rather than her relationship with Chalamet. “It takes me a while after I have a baby to feel like myself again,” she explained. “Then you get your body back, and you’re like, ‘Wait, the trends have changed.’” The reality star also opened up about the emotional toll of constant scrutiny over her looks, stating that years of criticism have made her resilient. “There’s nothing anyone could ever say now that would hurt me,” she asserted.
The relationship between Chalamet and Jenner has not only been a topic of discussion among fans but has also led to some bizarre reactions. A fan account dedicated to Chalamet, known as Club Chalamet, faced backlash for its intense scrutiny of the actor’s relationship with Jenner. The account, run by Simone Cromer, posted several comments suggesting that Jenner was “stalking” Chalamet and even hosted a discussion that drew about 8,000 participants. The posts, which referred to Jenner as “Slurpee,” were criticized for their authoritative tone and perceived obsession with Chalamet’s love life.
The extreme reactions from some fans have reignited conversations about parasocial relationships, where fans form one-sided emotional bonds with celebrities. Critics of Club Chalamet’s posts pointed out the unhealthy nature of such relationships and the unrealistic expectations placed on celebrities. “Like why are these Timothée fans acting like they know him, and that he owes them anything? It’s extremely weird and disturbing,” one Reddit user commented.
Cromer, the fan account’s administrator, defended her actions, stating that she is a proud fan of Chalamet and that he is aware of her existence. “I’m not his friend. I’m not even an acquaintance friend. I’m just a fan who he is very familiar with, and I’m proud of that,” she wrote in an Instagram post. Despite the backlash, Cromer expressed her continued support for Chalamet and announced that she would no longer comment on his romantic life to avoid further controversy.
The media’s portrayal of Jenner and Chalamet’s relationship has also been a point of contention. A British Vogue article questioned the legitimacy of their romance, suggesting it might be orchestrated by Jenner’s mother, Kris Jenner. The article implied that the couple’s differing backgrounds made their relationship “just shy of believable.” It also made light of their potential activities together, asking if Chalamet holds Jenner’s makeup brushes while she contours or if she helps him sift through Wes Anderson scripts.
These comments were met with criticism for being demeaning towards Jenner. Many felt that the article trivialized her accomplishments and painted her as a “dumb vapid bimbo” in contrast to Chalamet’s “genius scholar of the arts” persona. “I am not one to ever give a damn about celebrity romances, but this is one of the most sexist things I’ve ever heard,” one Twitter user wrote. Defenders of Jenner pointed out that she is a successful businesswoman running a billion-dollar company, and her work should not be reduced to makeup brushes and contouring.
Interestingly, the article’s reference to Wes Anderson overlooked the fact that Jenner’s ex, Travis Scott, had previously mentioned her appreciation for the director’s work. This further fueled the argument that the media often underestimates Jenner’s interests and capabilities.
Despite the skepticism and criticism, there are reasons to believe that Jenner and Chalamet’s relationship makes sense. They share mutual friends, a love for designer Haider Ackermann, and Chalamet has a history of dating “nepo babies.” Recent reports suggest that the couple is still going strong, defying the naysayers.
In the end, the intense scrutiny and polarized opinions surrounding Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner’s relationship highlight the challenges celebrities face in maintaining their personal lives under the public eye. While some fans and media outlets may continue to question their compatibility, the couple seems determined to navigate their romance on their own terms.
Source: The New York Times, NBC News, British Vogue, BuzzFeed