SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Timothée Chalamet capped off a triumphant night at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards by winning the Best Actor award for his role in Marty Supreme, followed by a cozy after-party celebration with girlfriend Kylie Jenner and a star-studded crowd. The event, held on January 4 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica and hosted by Chelsea Handler, aired live on E! and USA Network, drawing attention not just for the awards but for Chalamet's heartfelt onstage shoutout to Jenner during his acceptance speech.
Chalamet, 30, beat out a formidable lineup of nominees including Leonardo DiCaprio for One Battle After Another, Joel Edgerton in Train Dreams, Ethan Hawke in Blue Moon, Michael B. Jordan in Sinners, and Wagner Moura in The Secret Agent. As he took the stage, the Dune star, still dressed in his navy blue pin-striped suit from the ceremony—minus the multi-colored tie—thanked his collaborators and then turned his attention to his personal life. "Thank you to my partner of three years," he said, looking toward Jenner in the audience. "Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn't do this without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
The camera quickly panned to Jenner, the 27-year-old reality star known from The Kardashians, who shares 7-year-old daughter Stormi Webster and 3-year-old son Aire Webster with ex Travis Scott. She mouthed "I love you" back at Chalamet, a moment that quickly went viral on social media. According to attendees, the couple's display of affection was a rare public glimpse into their relationship, which they have largely kept private since it began in 2023.
Following the awards, Chalamet and Jenner headed to Los Angeles for a more relaxed evening at Max & Helen's, where they joined friends for a late-night dinner of breakfast foods. The gathering doubled as a birthday party for their friend Lauren Perez, with other celebrities including Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Josh Safdie—the director of Marty Supreme—in attendance. Eyewitnesses described the atmosphere as intimate and celebratory, with Chalamet still in his award-show attire, signaling the night's seamless transition from formal glamour to casual revelry.
The couple's decision to attend the after-party underscores their pattern of blending high-profile events with low-key date nights. Just the day before, on January 3, they appeared together on the red carpet at the 37th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards, where Chalamet was honored for his performance in Marty Supreme, a film produced by A24 that has been praised for its exploration of ambition and identity in the world of table tennis.
Despite their frequent public appearances, Chalamet and Jenner have been steadfast about maintaining privacy regarding their romance. In a November interview with Vogue, Chalamet explained his reticence: "I don't say that with any fear. I just don't have anything to say." Jenner echoed similar sentiments in an August 2024 conversation with British Vogue, stating, "Privacy is so important to me in life. It feels so good." Sources close to the pair say this approach has allowed them to nurture their relationship away from the spotlight, even as they navigate the demands of their respective careers in film and business.
The Critics Choice Awards themselves highlighted a diverse slate of achievements across film and television. In addition to Chalamet's win, One Battle After Another from Warner Bros. took home the Best Picture award, edging out competitors like Sinners, Hamnet, Frankenstein, Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, Bugonia, and Wicked: For Good. Paul Thomas Anderson earned Best Director for One Battle After Another, while Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her role in Hamnet from Focus Features, surpassing nominees Rose Byrne, Chase Infiniti, Renate Reinsve, Amanda Seyfried, and Emma Stone.
Supporting roles also garnered attention, with Jacob Elordi securing Best Supporting Actor for Frankenstein on Netflix, beating Benicio del Toro, Paul Mescal, Sean Penn, Adam Sandler, and Stellan Skarsgård. Amy Madigan took Best Supporting Actress for Weapons from Warner Bros., with competitors including Elle Fanning, Ariana Grande, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Wunmi Mosaku, and Teyana Taylor. In the Best Young Actor/Actress category, Miles Caton won for Sinners, nominated alongside Everett Blunck, Cary Christopher, Shannon Mahina Gorman, Jacobi Jupe, and Nina Ye.
Technical achievements were well-represented too. Kate Hawley won Best Costume Design for Frankenstein, and the hair and makeup team of Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey also triumphed for the same film. Visual effects honors went to Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett for Avatar: Fire and Ash from 20th Century Studios. Francine Maisler received Best Casting for Sinners, highlighting the film's ensemble strength.
On the music front, the song "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix, written by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, and Teddy, won Best Song, outshining entries like Ed Sheeran's "Drive" from F1, Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson's "I Lied to You" from Sinners, and others. Animated features saw KPop Demon Hunters claim victory over Elio, In Your Dreams, Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, and Zootopia 2. For foreign language films, The Secret Agent from Neon prevailed.
Television categories were equally competitive. The Pitt on HBO Max won Best Drama Series, with Noah Wyle earning Best Actor in a Drama Series for his performance. Rhea Seehorn took Best Actress for Pluribus on Apple TV. In comedy, The Studio on Apple TV was named Best Comedy Series, with Seth Rogen winning Best Actor and Ike Barinholtz Best Supporting Actor. Jean Smart secured Best Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks on HBO Max, and Janelle James won Best Supporting Actress for Abbott Elementary on ABC.
Limited series and movies for television also shone, with Adolescence on Netflix winning Best Limited Series. Stephen Graham earned Best Actor for Adolescence, and Sarah Snook won Best Actress for All Her Fault on Peacock. Owen Cooper took Best Supporting Actor for Adolescence. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy on Peacock was named Best Movie Made for Television.
Tramell Tillman won Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Severance on Apple TV, and Katherine LaNasa took Best Supporting Actress for The Pitt. These wins reflect a year of strong storytelling across platforms, with streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV, and HBO Max dominating many categories.
As the 2026 awards season progresses, Chalamet's victory positions Marty Supreme as a frontrunner heading into the Oscars and other ceremonies. For Jenner, who has been expanding her business empire with Kylie Cosmetics, the night served as a supportive milestone in her partner's career. Sources indicate the couple plans to attend more events together, balancing public moments with their cherished privacy.
The Critics Choice Awards, voted on by members of the Critics Choice Association, continue to serve as a key predictor for Academy Awards success. With films like One Battle After Another and Sinners racking up multiple wins, the industry buzz suggests a competitive race ahead. Chalamet and Jenner's post-awards outing, meanwhile, offered a reminder that even in Hollywood's glare, personal celebrations can steal the show.