Will Hollywood’s ‘it-boy’ survive the Kardashian curse? A critical analysis of Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet’s relationship

Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Since its emergence earlier this year, the not-so-secret relationship between Hollywood’s favourite heartthrob and the youngest member of the Kardashian-Jenner clan has incited a media frenzy, with many fans shocked by the unlikely pairing. Despite the celebrity A-listers being around the same age – Jenner being 26 and Chalamet 27 – many fans were unconvinced by the union, deeming them intellectually and physically incompatible, especially given the sudden deviation from their usual dating patterns. As a result, fans were quick to call the relationship a PR stunt, courtesy of Jenner’s notoriously PR savvy family.

Nonetheless, the couple have since dispelled all rumours that the relationship would be short lived, and, having publicly debuted at a Beyoncé concert in early September, have continued to be spotted together since. However, it has become clear that this couple was one that was not only unexpected, but unwelcomed, particularly among Chalamet’s loyal fanbase. Whilst many fans have been supportive of the relationship, praising Chalamet for having a positive influence on the beauty mogul, others have been excessively critical, heavily disapproving of his new flame.

The general consensus, as I see it, is that many of Chalamet’s fans had believed the actor to be above the likes of the reality TV star, which is no doubt token of the widespread criticism of herself and the highly controversial family to which she pertains. Through his career, Chalamet built for himself an ultra-humble, indie-boy persona that became the source of his allure. The actor had previously enjoyed a personal life shielded from the public eye, yet since his affiliation with Jenner, he has become the subject of extensive media coverage, with news outlets following their every move. As a consequence, many believe the actor to have sold himself out to be in the mainstream, subsequently tarnishing the brand that had awarded him such admiration. In contrast, Jenner has seen her status elevated by the relationship, as she transitions into a more natural, wholesome version of herself that has placed her in high esteem on the internet.

So, what does this mean for the actor’s career? The media traction that the actor has gained ahead of his new release Wonka comes as both a blessing and a curse, as it seems that people are more interested in the relationship than the film itself. Following the London premier of the film, many news outlets were seen to focus not on the contents of the film, but rather on speculating whether or not Kylie had been present at the after party, making evident that the actor’s reputation, as of present, is inexorably bound to his high-profile girlfriend.

Whilst we do not know whether this will hold in the future, we can say that this marks a rebrand for Chalamet, as it is unlikely that he will recover the image he once had. Nevertheless, Wonka received a mountain of positive reviews, with many critics commending Chalamet for his charming portrayal of the title character. Like this, the actor continues to impress through his unrivalled talent, and shows us that his acting career is not slowing down any time soon, with or without Kylie by his side.