Timothée Chalamet turned an already triumphant night into a viral pop culture moment when he publicly professed his love for Kylie Jenner during his acceptance speech at the 31st Critics Choice Awards. The actor, who took home the Best Actor trophy for his performance in Marty Supreme, used the spotlight not only to acknowledge his professional team but also to pay an unusually intimate tribute to his partner.
Taking the stage to enthusiastic applause, Chalamet appeared visibly moved as he gripped the statuette and scanned the audience for Jenner. After thanking the filmmakers and his colleagues, he shifted tone and spoke directly to her, calling Jenner his partner and crediting her with being a grounding force in his life. In a moment that drew audible reactions from the crowd, he declared, “I love you,” framing their relationship as a key part of the foundation that allowed him to pursue his craft at such a high level.
The cameras quickly cut to Jenner, seated in the audience, who reacted with a mixture of pride and bashfulness as she smiled and appeared to mouth the words “I love you” back at him. Her reaction instantly became one of the night’s most replayed clips, fueling social media chatter about how unusually candid and romantic the speech was for an awards show setting. For a couple that has often balanced intense public scrutiny with occasional private stretches, the exchange was widely read as one of their most definitive public affirmations yet.
Cue the swoons! 💛Best Actor winner Timothée Chalamet gave Kylie Jenner the sweetest shout-out during his Critics Choice Awards acceptance speech. 🖤✨#CriticsChoice #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/LoduFSBOnQ
— Critics Choice Awards (@CriticsChoice) January 5, 2026
Chalamet’s words also subtly pushed back on lingering skepticism about their relationship, which has been under near-constant observation since they were first linked several ago. By bringing Jenner into a career-defining moment in front of industry peers, he appeared to signal that their bond is not just tabloid fodder but an integral part of his personal life and support system. Industry watchers noted that the speech gave the otherwise formal ceremony a rare, unscripted emotional jolt, instantly positioning the moment as a highlight of the current awards season.
As the night continued, the declaration reverberated far beyond the walls of the Santa Monica venue, dominating entertainment coverage and trending topics alike. Whether viewed as a grand romantic gesture or a carefully timed public statement, Chalamet’s heartfelt shout-out to Jenner has cemented itself as one of the defining celebrity moments of the year so far.
