With the world premieres of “Wonka” – Hollywood’s latest take on the world’s most famous fictional chocolatier – now 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 on Tuesday night, the French-American star was greeted in a Wonka-style pink velor suit by hundreds of fans queuing in freezing temperatures as he made his way to the UK premiere of the Warner Bros Pictures film .
The 27-year-old actor, who is quietly dating Kylie Jenner, rose to fame in Call me by your name, Luca Guadagnino’s 2017 film about a gay summer romance.
Six years later, the fashion-savvy, curly-haired and chiseled actor – with “non-threatening energy” – is at the peak of his filmmaking prowess, but still makes plenty of time to pose for selfies with legions of fans.
In Tokyo it was the same story. This time she wore a lavender PVC jumpsuit and was greeted by a sea of overwhelmed fans.
Sweet appeal! Wonka star Timothee Chalamet poses with selfies at the London premiere of his new film on Tuesday night; The 27-year-old French-American star has so far seen hundreds of fans stop by the world premieres to catch a glimpse of him
The star only went to the premiere after taking dozens of selfies, often holding the phone cameras of those desperate to get a snap with him.
So what’s the appeal of the down-to-earth star, who grew up in New York and is known to be close to his family?
Brand expert Emily Austen says Chalamet can count on a broader fan base because she’s not the classic brooding, overly muscular alpha Hollywood star.
She says: “From what you hear, he’s an unlikely superstar.” “He’s by no means the archetypal alpha male that was once touted 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 for a new kind of heartthrob who offers toxic masculinity to a learned two-fingered man.
On November 20th in Tokyo, Chalamet, dressed in a lavender PVC jumpsuit, spent time chatting with his fans at the film’s Japanese premiere
Chalamet and a fan in London at the UK premiere on November 27th; The star is currently the hottest property in Hollywood
Austen explains: “There is something calming 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 commenting that he felt the promotional cycles for his films had a negative impact on his mental health.
“It’s a Harry Styles-like energy that is non-threatening, grounded and allows us to connect with him as an individual.”
His biggest romance yet, with model Kylie Jenner, catapulted him into another stratosphere of fame, although he kept a low profile – neither posting selfies nor making regular public appearances together.
Her fans – she has 399 million followers on Instagram – also seem to be in love with him.
Two of the most famous people in the world…but Chalamet and Kylie Jenner have kept their relationship low-key (pictured, the couple enjoys 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 – are thrilled by their romance (pictured at the WSJ Magazine 2023 Innovator Awards in New York)
Austen says: “Dating Kylie Jenner is probably incompatible with staying under the radar.” We also feel like we know her, having watched her grow up on TV.
“There are few public appearances together, no amorous selfies, and it all adds to the feeling that these are two people privately reflecting on each other and their relationship.”
“Kylie Jenner has amassed a huge fanbase worldwide and fans will no doubt be surprised by the pairing – considering Kylie has previously revealed what her perfect man looks and acts like.”
Unstarry: Brand expert Emily Austen says part of the 27-year-old’s huge appeal is that he is approachable and vulnerable
The star’s strong feminine energy, similar to Harry Styles, has also led to him reaching a wide fan audience (pictured at the Tokyo premiere of “Wonka”).
The black-haired actor is more than excited about a fashion shoot – he’ll be making a splash for Vogue in September 2022 – and, like Styles, isn’t afraid of unusual stage outfits.
When it comes to brand collaborations, just like his acting career, he often opts for less than mainstream partnerships, including with Swedish vegan shoe brand Tretorn.
When his star rose, things changed a little; When he agreed to represent Chanel Bleu this year, a certain Martin Scorsese directed the accompanying film.
The star is also known to be close to his family – he grew up in the Big Apple with his French father Marc, New Yorker Nicole Flender and his sister Pauline.
Austen says: “He often talked about his connection to his family, and that ultimately makes him incredibly likeable.”
Related: Chalamet is famously close to his family, his sister Pauline, his French father Marc and his New York mother Nicole
Early break: The star found fame in Call me by your name, Luca Guadagnino’s film about a gay summer romance six years ago, when he was just 21
“Timothee has remained authentic in his unusual style – seemingly unchanged by fame and fame.”
“He quietly pushes boundaries.” He is not a strident activist. He shows up for causes that matter to him, and amidst his large fan base, he appears as the same person he was before.
“The idea of someone unchanged by their fame and bound to reality is very likeable.” In many ways, Timothee is the underdog story, and he gives hope to a number of people who feel like they don’t fit in fit what society tells us.”