With the worldwide premieres of Wonka – Hollywood’s latest take on the world’s most famous fictional chocolatier – in full swing, it’s clear that Timothee Chalamet is one of the hottest stars in the world right now.
At London’s Royal Festival Hall, the French-American star, wearing a Wonka-esque pink velvet suit, was welcomed by hundreds of fans – who queued in plunging temperatures – on Tuesday evening as he headed to the UK premiere of the Warner Bros. Bros Pictures movie.
The 27-year-old actor, who is quietly dating Kylie Jenner, rose to fame in Call me by your Name, Luca Guadagnino’s film about a gay summer romance in 2017.
Six years later, the curly-haired, sharp-jawed, fashion-loving actor – with “non-threatening energy” – is at the height of his cinematic powers, but still took plenty of time to pose for selfies with legions of fans.
It was the same story in Tokyo. This time, wearing a lavender PVC jumpsuit, she was greeted by a sea of overwhelmed fans.
Sweet call! Wonka star Timothee Chalamet poses with selfies at the London premiere of his new film on Tuesday evening; the 27-year-old French-American star has seen hundreds of fans flock to catch a glimpse of him at the global premieres so far
The star only attended the premiere after stopping for dozens of selfies, often holding the camera phones of those desperate for a photo with him.
So, what’s the appeal of the down-to-earth star who grew up in New York and is famously close to his family?
Brand expert Emily Austen says that because Chalamet isn’t a classically brooding, over-muscled alpha Hollywood star, he has a broader fan base.
She says: ‘He is an unlikely superstar in every way. He is certainly not the archetypal alpha male previously heralded as the iconic Hollywood framework for success.”
People love the bilingual New Yorker, she says, because he’s a classic “cinnamon roll man,” the term used for a new kind of heartthrob who extends an erudite two fingers to toxic masculinity.
In Tokyo on November 20, Chalamet, wearing a lavender PVC jumpsuit, spent time chatting with his fans at the film’s Japanese premiere.
Austen explains, “There’s something comforting about his feminine energy; we think he would be nice to us. There is a vulnerability that he has been willing to show on many occasions, previously noting that he feels the promotional cycles for his films have a negative impact on his mental health.
“It’s a Harry Styles-esque energy that is non-threatening, grounded and allows us to connect with him as individuals.”
His biggest romance to date, with model Kylie Jenner, while low-key (not posting selfies or appearing in public together regularly), has pushed him into another stratosphere of fame, with her fans seemingly falling for him too.
Two of the most famous people in the world… but Chalamet and Kylie Jenner have kept their relationship low-key (the couple is pictured enjoying tennis at the US Open in New York this summer)
Dating Jenner has seen Chalamet’s fan base grow as her followers – she has 399 million followers on Instagram – get on board with their romance (pictured at the WSJ Magazine 2023 Innovator Awards in New York)
Austen says: ‘Dating Kylie Jenner is probably incompatible with flying under the radar. We also feel like we know her, having watched her grow up on television.
‘There are few public appearances together, no amorous selfies and it all adds to the feeling that they are two people figuring out each other and their relationship in private.
‘Kylie Jenner has amassed a huge following worldwide, and fans will no doubt be surprised by the combination – as Kylie previously shared what her perfect man looks and acts like.
Unstarry: Brand expert Emily Austen says part of the 27-year-old’s big appeal is that he’s approachable and vulnerable
The star’s strong feminine energy, in the same vein as Harry Styles, has also allowed him to reach a wide audience of fans (pictured at the Wonka premiere in Tokyo)
“In many ways, Timothee is the underdog story, and he gives hope to some people who feel like they don’t fit into what society has told us to do.”
The dark-haired actor is more than into a fashion shoot – he’s posing up a storm for Vogue in September 2022 – and, like Styles, isn’t afraid of outlandish stage outfits.
When it comes to intra-brand collaborations, much like his acting career, he is often less chosen than regular partnerships, including the one with Swedish vegan shoe brand Tretorn.
Now that his star has risen, that’s changed a bit; when he agreed to represent Chanel Bleu this year, a certain Martin Scorsese directed the accompanying film.
Related: Chalamet is known for his family, sister Pauline, his French father Marc and New Yorker mother Nicole
Early break: The star rose to fame in Call me by your Name, Luca Guadagnino’s film about a gay summer romance six years ago, when he was just 21
The star is also known for his close ties with his family: he grew up in the Big Apple with his French father Marc, New Yorker mother Nicole Flender and sister Pauline.
Austen says, “He has often spoken about his bond with his family, and ultimately that makes him incredibly relatable.
In his unusual style, Timothee has remained authentic – seemingly unchanged by fame and celebrity.
‘Timothee also quietly breaks boundaries. He is not a shouty activist. He shows up for things that matter to him, and within all his massive fandom, he seems like the same person he was before.
“There’s a lot of sympathy in the idea of someone unchanged by fame and connected to reality.”