In a rare and public declaration, actor Timothée Chalamet directly acknowledged his relationship with Kylie Jenner during a heartfelt acceptance speech at the Critics’ Choice Awards Sunday evening. The typically private star, winning Best Actor for his role in Pingpong Champion, offered a pointed thank you to his partner of three years, marking a significant departure from the couple’s guarded approach to their personal life. The moment sent immediate ripples through the ceremony and across social media platforms, capturing a highly personal victory on a major industry stage.
Chalamet, 30, secured the award for his transformative performance as Marty Mouser, also known as Marty Supreme, in the sports biopic. The win placed him above a formidable field of nominees including Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael B. Jordan. As he took the podium, visibly emotional, he began a list of thank-yous that culminated in a direct address to Jenner. “Thank you to my partner of three years,” he stated, the audience reacting with audible surprise and applause.
“Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Chalamet continued, his voice steady but earnest. The camera swiftly cut to Jenner, seated in the audience, who was seen clearly mouthing the words “I love you” back to the stage. This visual exchange provided a candid glimpse into a relationship that has been the subject of intense speculation but rarely confirmed in such a definitive, public manner.
The acknowledgment was preceded by moments of clear affection between the pair earlier in the evening. Immediately after Chalamet’s name was announced, the two shared a celebratory kiss, a moment captured by broadcast cameras and photographers alike. Throughout the ceremony, they were observed in close conversation and displaying subtle gestures of support, signaling a united front at one of the season’s most-watched awards shows.
Industry observers note the strategic weight of the Critics’ Choice Awards, which are often seen as a key bellwether for the upcoming Academy Awards. Chalamet’s win solidifies his position in a competitive awards season, and his decision to share this personal tribute at such a career-defining moment underscores the significance of the relationship. The speech balanced professional gratitude with profound personal thanks, a duality not lost on viewers.
In his remarks, Chalamet also paid homage to his fellow nominees, displaying a mix of reverence and camaraderie. “My fellow nominees Leo, I’m staring straight at you, man. Joel, Ethan, we used to do table reads at Labyrinth Theater Group in New York,” he said, acknowledging his peers including Ethan Hawke and Wagner Moura. His genuine, slightly nervous delivery added to the speech’s authenticity, endearing him further to the audience.
“I don’t know if I’ll be up here again, so give me a second. Damn, I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be,” he joked, before proceeding with his list of thank-yous. This was Chalamet’s first Critics’ Choice Award win after five previous nominations across his acclaimed career, a fact that likely contributed to the emotional weight of the moment. The victory represents a major milestone for the actor, who has consistently chosen challenging and diverse roles.

The public nature of this acknowledgment is a stark contrast to the couple’s established precedent. For years, Chalamet and Jenner have meticulously avoided confirming details of their romance, offering only occasional sightings and no joint interviews. This calculated privacy has fueled endless media fascination, making Sunday night’s explicit shout-out a seismic event in celebrity news cycles and for their respective fan bases.
Reaction online was instantaneous and widespread, with the moment trending globally within minutes. Fans and commentators dissected every frame of the exchange, from Jenner’s reaction to the specific phrasing of “partner of three years,” which officially confirms the timeline of their relationship. The term “foundation” used by Chalamet has sparked particular interest, suggesting a deep, stable partnership beyond casual dating.
This public declaration may signal a new chapter for the pair, potentially indicating a comfort level that allows for more shared public appearances. It also places their relationship firmly within the context of Chalamet’s professional ascent, intertwining his personal and artistic journey in the public record. The moment was not merely a thank you but a powerful integration of his private world into his public persona.
The entertainment industry has long watched Chalamet’s career trajectory with keen interest, noting his evolution from indie darling to major box office draw and awards contender. This latest win, and the speech that accompanied it, adds a new layer of narrative to his public image—that of a man at the peak of his professional powers, openly crediting his personal support system.
As the awards season continues its march toward the Oscars, this moment will undoubtedly be revisited. It stands as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind the glamour, where professional validation and personal love intersect under the bright lights of global recognition. For Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner, a relationship guarded for years has now been cemented with a simple, powerful phrase heard around the world: “Thank you to my partner of three years.”