Timothée Chalamet had more than one reason to smile on Sunday night. The actor capped off an already buzzy awards season moment by winning Best Actor at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards — and used his acceptance speech to publicly thank someone close to his heart.
Chalamet, 30, took home the trophy for his performance in Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, a tense and unconventional ping-pong thriller that has steadily gained critical acclaim. While accepting the award, he delivered a heartfelt speech that balanced humility, gratitude, and personal reflection.
“And lastly, I’ll just say, thank you to my partner of three years,” Chalamet said. “Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The camera cut to Kylie Jenner, 28, who mouthed “I love you” back from her seat. Moments earlier, the couple had shared a quiet kiss after Chalamet’s name was announced — a subtle but sweet moment that didn’t go unnoticed.
Chalamet faced stiff competition in the category, beating out Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Joel Edgerton (Train Dreams), and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent). He acknowledged each of his fellow nominees early in his speech, admitting candidly, “I’m more nervous than I thought I’d be.”
The actor went on to praise director Josh Safdie for crafting a deeply human story.
“You made a story about a flawed man with a relatable dream, and you didn’t preach to the audience about what’s right and wrong,” Chalamet said. “I think we should all be telling stories like that. Thank you for this dream.”
Chalamet and Jenner have been romantically linked since April 2023 and made their public debut later that year at Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour. Since then, they’ve appeared together at high-profile events including the U.S. Open, the Golden Globes, and the Marty Supreme premiere, where they coordinated matching orange looks inspired by the film.
Despite their visibility, both have been intentional about maintaining privacy. In a November Vogue profile, Chalamet declined to discuss his relationship, saying, “I don’t say that with any fear. I just don’t have anything to say.” Jenner echoed that sentiment in August 2024, sharing, “Privacy is so important to me in life. It feels so good.”
Jenner previously dated Travis Scott, with whom she shares two children, while Chalamet’s past relationships include Lily-Rose Depp, Lourdes Leon, and Taylor Russell.
At the Critics Choice Awards, however, Chalamet allowed a rare glimpse into his personal life — a moment that felt sincere, grounded, and very on brand for an actor who continues to balance superstardom with authenticity.
