Has Timothée Chalamet ever worked as hard as he did for this Oscars campaign? Despite his efforts, he went home empty-handed this year. Both he and his film, Marty Supreme, didn’t receive any nominations, leaving many to question what went wrong.
Chalamet’s promotional journey was certainly noteworthy. It kicked off with a humorous “leaked” Zoom call where he pitched wacky ideas like breakfast cereal tie-ins and even coloring the Eiffel Tower bright orange, like the film’s signature ping-pong balls. While these ideas were outlandish, they mirrored the ambitiousness of his real campaign. He showed up everywhere—from Instagram to traditional TV—appealing to diverse audiences, including sports fans and movie lovers. It didn’t hurt that Marty Supreme became A24’s highest-grossing film.
By winning the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, he seemed like a strong contender for the Oscar. However, the time between the Globes and the Academy Awards is often where momentum shifts. For instance, Jessie Buckley won Best Actress without any competition, while Chalamet’s star power appeared to diminish. Michael B. Jordan’s win at the SAG Awards foreshadowed the trend, making his Oscar win feel almost inevitable.
So, what happened to Chalamet? Some fans thought his seemingly endless appearances began to work against him. His frequent public outings, including red carpet events with girlfriend Kylie Jenner, may have contributed to a growing perception that he was more about chasing fame than genuine artistry. His ambitious speech at the previous year’s SAG Awards, where he likened himself to sports legends like Michael Jordan, might have rubbed voters the wrong way.
Others believe the Academy is just cautious about awarding young stars too soon. Awards often favor a larger body of work rather than individual performances. Chalamet has expressed pride in his seven to eight years of dedicated work in acting, yet much of it showcases a similar type of character—young men full of ambition but still learning about life.
For now, Chalamet remains undeterred. His pursuit of greatness suggests we haven’t seen the last of his ambitious campaigns. As he stated, “I’m committed to evolving as an actor.” With the way he approaches his craft, we can expect even more from him in the future.
In the entertainment industry, public sentiment can shift quickly. Recent social media trends show how fans often rally around their favorites, but they can just as easily turn if they sense inauthenticity. The next Oscars season is just around the corner, and you can bet marketers will be ready to launch another unique campaign for their leading star.
For insightful analysis of award trends and campaigns, you can check the Academy’s official site here.
