Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner left the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 12, 2023, shortly after Chalamet’s Best Actor nomination for his role in Marty Supreme was awarded to Michael B. Jordan for Sinners. Eyewitnesses report that the couple vanished during the Best Animated Short category, leaving their seats empty for a significant portion of the ceremony.
Chalamet had arrived at the Oscars amidst considerable buzz for his performance in Marty Supreme, a film directed by Josh Safdie in which he portrayed a ping-pong hustler. The film garnered a total of nine nominations, including Best Picture, but failed to secure any wins, which may have contributed to the couple’s sudden departure.
The night took a turn for Chalamet after he faced backlash for a comment he made weeks earlier, stating that “no one cares” about opera or ballet anymore. This remark drew criticism from arts advocates and reportedly jeopardized his endorsement deal with Cartier. During the ceremony, host Conan O’Brien seized the opportunity to poke fun at Chalamet’s comment, saying, “Security is extremely tight tonight… I’m told there’s concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities,” before adding, “They are just mad you left out jazz!”
The couple’s absence during a pivotal moment of the ceremony did not go unnoticed. An insider shared, “Timothée and Kylie disappeared during the Best Animated Short category and didn’t come back for ages. It was a huge gap, basically most of the show.” Although seat fillers quickly filled the void, attendees frequently glanced towards the empty chairs, anticipating their return.
Chalamet’s disappointment was palpable, especially as he faced the double blow of not winning the Best Actor award and seeing Marty Supreme overlooked for Best Picture. He made history as the youngest individual nominated for both acting and producing at the Oscars but ultimately left empty-handed, a stark contrast to the high expectations set by his previous accolades.
The industry reaction to his comments lingered, with some labeling him as tone-deaf and more focused on fame than serious artistry. Jenner, who accompanied him on the red carpet in a sleek gown, was reportedly affected by the ongoing ribbing directed at the couple.
While Chalamet and Jenner exited the venue, the night was marked by significant wins for Paul Thomas Anderson‘s film One Battle After Another, which took home six awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Sinners followed closely with four awards, including Best Actor for Jordan.
In other categories, Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, while Amy Madigan secured Best Supporting Actress for Weapons. The award for Best Animated Feature went to KPop Demon Hunters, and Norway’s Sentimental Value won Best International Feature.
As the ceremony concluded, the impact of the awards and the controversies surrounding them continued to resonate, highlighting the complexities of fame and public perception within the entertainment industry.
