At the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles, Timothée Chalamet, 30, used his Best Actor acceptance to publicly thank his partner, Kylie Jenner, 28. Chalamet won for his lead role in Marty Supreme and addressed Jenner in the audience, calling her his partner of three years and expressing gratitude for what he called their “foundation.” Jenner responded visibly, mouthing “I love you,” as the ceremony concluded.
Key takeaways
- Timothée Chalamet received the Best Actor award at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards for Marty Supreme.
- During his acceptance speech on , Chalamet thanked his “partner of three years,” identified as Kylie Jenner, now 28.
- Chalamet told the audience, “Thank you for our foundation. I love you,” a line directed at Jenner, who was seated in the crowd.
- The couple were first linked publicly after being seen together at the Jean Paul Gaultier show in Paris in 2023.
- Jenner has two children: daughter Stormi (turning 8 on February 1) and son Aire (formerly Wolf, turning 4 on February 2).
- Both have generally kept their relationship private; Jenner posted supportive photos from the Palm Springs Film Festival and Chalamet commented with a string of orange-heart emojis.
Background
The association between Chalamet and Jenner emerged into public view in 2023 when they were photographed interacting at a Jean Paul Gaultier fashion show in Paris. Since then, media coverage has documented intermittent public appearances but relatively few extended statements from either party. Chalamet and Jenner appear to have maintained a largely private relationship while both navigate high-profile careers—Chalamet as an award-recognized actor and Jenner as a business and media figure.
Jenner, 28, is a mother of two: daughter Stormi and son Aire (formerly known as Wolf). Stormi will turn 8 on February 1 and Aire will turn 4 on February 2, details frequently noted in reporting on Jenner’s family life. The couple’s decision to limit public comment has meant that milestones—public appearances, social-media posts and gestures at events—carry outsized attention from fans and entertainment outlets.
Main event
At the Critics Choice Awards ceremony on January 5, 2026, Chalamet accepted the Best Actor trophy for his performance in Marty Supreme. In closing remarks he paused to acknowledge a personal thank-you directed at Jenner, referring to her as his partner of three years. The exchange was concise but clear: Chalamet named Jenner in his remarks and expressed affection on a major televised stage.
Jenner, seated in the audience, reacted visibly and mouthed “I love you” as cameras captured the moment. The two have offered scant public commentary about one another, so the on-stage acknowledgment represented a more overt show of connection than in prior years. Shortly before the awards, Jenner posted images from the Palm Springs Film Festival showing her supporting Chalamet; he replied publicly in the comments with a series of orange-heart emojis, a rare public interaction.
The speech and accompanying gestures came amid continuing media interest in how celebrity couples balance privacy with public life. For Chalamet, known for a sometimes reticent approach to press about his personal life, the brief on-stage address marked a notable shift toward visible acknowledgement. For Jenner, who has a long history of shaping public narratives through social media, the appearance reinforced her role as a high-profile partner and parent.
Analysis & implications
This public acknowledgment matters because it changes how the pair are framed in celebrity coverage: a private relationship with intermittent public confirmations is moving toward selective public acknowledgement. Such a shift can affect how press outlets approach future reporting—outings, awards and family events may now draw closer scrutiny and more immediate coverage. It also alters expectations for how candid either party might be in future interviews.
Economically and professionally, visible coupling can have downstream effects. Both Chalamet and Jenner command strong commercial and media value: Chalamet as an award-winning actor with box-office and prestige appeal, and Jenner as a business figure with significant social-media reach. Joint visibility can amplify promotional opportunities for projects tied to either individual, while also raising stakes for privacy management around Jenner’s children.
Politically and culturally, the moment underscores ongoing public fascination with celebrity families and the boundaries of celebrity parenthood. Media institutions and audiences frequently debate where private life ends and public interest begins; this brief, public exchange will likely sharpen those conversations given Jenner’s role as a parent of young children and Chalamet’s rising profile in awards circuits.
Comparison & data
| Item | Date / Age | Context |
|---|---|---|
| First public interaction | 2023 | Jean Paul Gaultier show, Paris (reported) |
| Critics Choice Best Actor | Award for Marty Supreme | |
| Relationship length cited | 3 years | Mentioned in acceptance speech |
The table places the acceptance speech in the context of earlier public touchpoints. While many celebrity relationships feature frequent public-facing moments, Chalamet and Jenner’s pattern has been a mix of privacy punctuated by selective public confirmations, which appears to be continuing.
Reactions & quotes
Chalamet’s short, personal address provided the clearest public comment from him about the relationship to date. The moment was captured live and quickly circulated across social platforms and entertainment outlets.
“And lastly, I’ll just say, thank you to my partner of three years. Thank you for our foundation. I love you.”
Timothée Chalamet, Critics Choice Awards acceptance
Jenner’s visible reaction—mouthing a response—was widely noted by attendees and viewers. Social-media responses amplified the exchange within minutes of the ceremony ending.
“I love you.”
Kylie Jenner (mouthed, audience reaction)
Unconfirmed
- There has been no public confirmation from either Chalamet or Jenner about engagement or marriage; no formal announcement was made at the ceremony.
- Chalamet’s reference to “our foundation” was not publicly explained; it is unclear whether he meant a literal charitable foundation, a private joint endeavor, or a metaphorical expression.
- Details about the couple’s daily living arrangements, parenting roles with respect to Jenner’s children, and long-term plans have not been publicly confirmed.
Bottom line
Timothée Chalamet’s brief on-stage acknowledgment at the Critics Choice Awards marks a discernible shift toward selective public recognition of his relationship with Kylie Jenner. While the exchange was short, it was unmistakable: a private relationship made briefly public on a major awards stage.
Expect increased attention on future public appearances and social-media posts from the pair, but also continued gaps in verifiable personal details. For now, the moment is best read as a public signal of partnership rather than a full opening of private life to persistent scrutiny.
Sources
- CNN (news — entertainment report)