Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner Publicly Declare Love at 31st Critics Choice Awards

A Night of Milestones: Chalamet and Jenner Define the 2026 Critics Choice Awards

The 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards became a landmark evening as Timothée Chalamet secured Best Actor for Marty Supreme. Beyond his professional victory, Chalamet’s rare, public tribute to partner Kylie Jenner transformed the ceremony into a definitive celebration of both his career peak and their high-profile relationship.

Hollywood power couple Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner Steal the Spotlight at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards.

The 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards, held on January 4, 2026, served as both a celebration of cinematic excellence and a definitive public milestone for one of Hollywood’s most high profile couples. While the evening honored the year’s finest achievements in film and television, the narrative of the night was undeniably dominated by Chalamet and Jenner. After years of maintaining a guarded approach to their relationship, the pair utilized the prestigious ceremony to confirm their long standing partnership through a series of public gestures and a heartfelt acceptance speech that quickly became the event's most discussed highlight.

The emotional peak of the ceremony arrived when Chalamet was named Best Actor for his transformative portrayal of ping pong legend Marty Reisman in the Josh Safdie directed biopic, Marty Supreme. Taking the stage before a room of his peers, Chalamet’s address balanced professional gratitude with a rare glimpse into his personal life. 

After acknowledging the Safdie brothers' vision and the rigors of the production, Timothée Chalamet turned his attention to Kylie Jenner. Describing her as his "foundation" and his "partner of three years," the actor concluded his speech with a direct "I love you," a moment that was met with a visible, matching response from Jenner in the audience.

The couple’s appearance was marked by a strategic avoidance of the traditional red carpet, opting instead for a discreet entrance directly into the Barker Hangar ceremony. This move heightened the impact of their presence inside the venue, where they were photographed seated together throughout the telecast. The choice to skip the press line shifted the focus away from fashion sound bites and toward the gravity of Chalamet’s win, effectively framing their relationship as a stable pillar of his current professional success rather than a mere tabloid fixture.

On the fashion front, both Jenner and Chalamet maintained their status as style icons with carefully curated looks. Jenner drew acclaim from critics for her selection of a vintage 1996 Gianni Versace black chainmail gown, featuring intricate lace side panels that balanced archival glamour with modern edge. Chalamet, meanwhile, leaned into the 1950s aesthetic of his winning film, donning a custom Givenchy pinstripe suit designed by Sarah Burton. The ensemble, paired with a vibrant tie, reflected a sophisticated departure from his more experimental red-carpet history, signaling his evolution into a leading man of the traditional Hollywood mold.

Beyond the Chalamet & Jenner headlines, the ceremony, hosted by comedian Chelsea Handler, featured several pivotal wins that have reshaped the current awards season landscape. Jacob Elordi secured a major victory as Best Supporting Actor for his role in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, solidifying his position as a formidable contender for the upcoming Academy Awards. In the night's most prestigious category, Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another took home the award for Best Picture, besting a competitive field and establishing itself as the film to beat heading into the spring.

The evening also maintained a somber tone during a tribute segment led by Handler, which honored the immense legacy of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, following their passing in late 2025. The tribute served as a poignant reminder of the industry's history amidst a night otherwise focused on the "new guard" of Hollywood talent. The comedic relief of the evening was provided by Hacks stars Meg Stalter and Paul W. Downs, who leaned into the cultural zeitgeist by arriving in neon orange outfits a satirical nod to the viral fashion choices Chalamet and Jenner made during the Marty Supreme press tour.

As the industry moves toward the Oscars, the 31st Critics Choice Awards will likely be remembered as the night the "Chalamet era" reached a new level of maturity. With a Best Actor trophy in hand and his personal life now a matter of public record, Chalamet has navigated the transition from indie darling to a pillar of the Hollywood establishment.