Despite being widely considered a frontrunner throughout awards season, Timothée Chalamet ultimately missed out on the Best Actor trophy at the 98th Academy Awards. The honour instead went to Michael B. Jordan for his powerful performance in the film Sinners, bringing an unexpected twist to one of the night’s most anticipated categories.
Chalamet had entered the Oscars with strong momentum after securing major wins earlier in the season. His performance in Marty Supreme had earned him both the Best Actor prize at the Golden Globe Awards and recognition at the Critics’ Choice Awards, leading many to predict he would continue the winning streak at the Academy Awards.
However, when the final envelope was opened, Jordan’s performance in Sinners emerged victorious, leaving Chalamet without the Oscar many believed he was poised to win.
Even so, the actor appeared to take the result in stride. After the ceremony, Chalamet attended the highly anticipated Vanity Fair Oscars Party, where he was joined by girlfriend Kylie Jenner. The couple drew significant attention on the red carpet, posing together for photographers and sharing affectionate moments.
Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet attend the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
— 21 (@21metgala) March 16, 2026
pic.twitter.com/J5BsxY0D2W
Chalamet was seen holding Jenner close and planting a kiss on her cheek as they smiled for cameras, offering a rare public display of affection. Jenner attended the glamorous event wearing a sleek black dress, while Chalamet maintained his signature red carpet charm as they celebrated the evening together.
While Chalamet’s personal life grabbed headlines at the after-party, his film Marty Supreme experienced a disappointing night overall. The movie failed to secure wins in several major categories, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Casting.
timothee chalamet and kylie jenner at the vanity fair after party !! #oscar pic.twitter.com/dvL6H0vAsP
— Bri (@moonroses) March 16, 2026
Instead, those honours were dominated by the critically acclaimed film One Battle After Another, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The film proved to be one of the biggest winners of the night, sweeping several key categories and solidifying its place as the standout production of the year.
For Chalamet, the nomination still marked another milestone in his rapidly evolving career. The actor has now received multiple Oscar nominations in the Best Actor category. This year’s nod followed his nomination last year for A Complete Unknown, making it his second consecutive appearance in the category.
Chalamet first earned Academy recognition for his breakout performance in the critically acclaimed film Call Me By Your Name, which catapulted him into international stardom and established him as one of Hollywood’s most promising young actors.
However, the weeks leading up to the Oscars were not without controversy for the star. Chalamet recently faced criticism over comments he made about classical art forms such as opera and ballet during a promotional event.
During the conversation, the actor remarked that he did not see himself working in those fields, suggesting they struggle to attract modern audiences. His comments sparked backlash online and drew criticism from fans and artists within the performing arts community.
“I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore,’” Chalamet said at the event, adding that he meant no disrespect to artists in those fields.
The remarks quickly circulated across social media, prompting reactions from several prominent figures. Actor Jamie Lee Curtis responded by reposting a reel that criticised Chalamet’s stance on the value of classical art forms.
Meanwhile, institutions within the opera world also responded. Royal Ballet and Opera in London extended a lighthearted invitation to the actor via Instagram, encouraging him to attend a performance. Similarly, English National Opera invited him to experience their productions firsthand.
The controversy even found its way into the Oscars ceremony itself. Host Conan O’Brien jokingly referenced the debate during his opening monologue.
“Security is extremely tight tonight,” O’Brien quipped during the broadcast. “I’m told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.”
Despite the swirling conversation surrounding his remarks and his Oscar loss, Chalamet’s appearance at the Vanity Fair party suggested the actor was enjoying the evening nonetheless. Surrounded by industry peers and accompanied by Jenner, the star ended the night on a celebratory note—proving that even without a trophy in hand, the spotlight remained firmly on him.