Why Timothée Chalamet went public with Kylie Jenner

Timothée Chalamet And Kylie Jenner spent most of their relationship carefully avoiding public statements until an unexpected awards night changed everything.

After months of silence, breakup rumors and strict limits on visibility, the actor’s emotional speech at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards sent a clear signal that their relationship had entered a new phase.

According to psychologists, this moment was not impulsive. Instead, it revealed a deliberate shift in how the couple wants their romance to be seen and understood.

However, it was not just the victory that caught the attention, but also the manner in which he ended his acceptance speech.

Speaking openly, the actor said, “Finally, I will just say thank you to my partner of three years. Thank you for our foundation. I couldn’t do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Jenner, sitting in the audience, reacted emotionally, resting her chin on her clasped hands and saying, “I love you.”

Moments earlier, the couple had embraced when Chalamet’s name was announced.

The display was striking because it came during the third year of their on-again, off-again relationship and just two months after reports suggested they had split.

Until that night, the couple had largely avoided public gestures, making the confession appear intentional rather than spontaneous.

Psychologist Darren Stanton told the Daily Mail that the sudden open-mindedness of Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner was not accidental.

Speaking on behalf of Press Box PR, he explained that their actions reflected “social proof and relational validation”.

“They send a very clear and direct message to the public that the relationship is real, safe and intentional,” Stanton said. “It’s not just for the cameras: they maintain this relationship for the long term.”

He added that public affection can help reduce speculation and discourage online criticism.

According to Stanton, the couple is strategic about their timing, choosing high-profile events like the Critics’ Choice Awards to show their affection when press attention is at its peak.

“Kylie in particular is very trained and controlled by the media,” he continued. “The strategy they employ is well planned and not improvised.” The time, he suggested, was to control the narrative.

Relationship psychologist Dr. Kathy Nickerson also weighed in on the move, revealing that celebrity romances work on more than a personal level.

“Public figures like Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet aren’t just people…they’re also brands,” she explained.

Nickerson noted that when a relationship appears stable, it benefits public trust, sympathy and business partnerships.

“Fans feel reassured, sponsors feel more secure and the brand as a whole feels stable,” she said.

On the other hand, rumors of unrest can destabilize how the public perceives both individuals and their plans. Nickerson added that increased public affection is often a “reassurance signal.”

“In a media environment where silence is often interpreted as confirmation of problems, increased visibility becomes a way of saying, ‘Everything is OK,’” she said.

The psychologist also pointed out that constant scrutiny adds real pressure, and visible unity can help prevent rumors from creating internal stress.

Beyond the awards ceremony, the couple also quietly moved another long-standing boundary: social media.

After Kylie Jenner supported Timothée Chalamet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, she shared photos of her “Marty Supreme”-inspired look on Instagram.

Wearing an orange sequined Ludovic de Saint Sernin dress, the socialite captioned the post with orange heart emojis, a nod to the color theme of the film’s press tour.

Chalamet responded by liking the post and leaving several orange heart emojis in the comments.

This was the first time they had publicly commented on each other’s social media accounts. Until then, they only exchanged discreet likes.