Fresh reports of a separation from Kylie Jenner haven't seemed to dampen Timothee Chalamet's spirits, as the actor was spotted looking cheerful on a solo outing in New York City this Friday.
A Whirlwind Romance Under the Microscope
The 29-year-old Dune star and Jenner, 28, first sent the rumour mill into overdrive back in April 2023. Their connection sparked after a chance meeting at Paris Fashion Week, initiating a whirlwind romance that has captivated fans and media alike ever since. From the very beginning, their relationship has been scrutinised, with persistent on-and-off rumours keeping everyone guessing about its true status.
The latest chapter in their saga broke just last week, when the Daily Mail revealed it was officially 'trouble in paradise' for the actor and the Kylie Cosmetics founder. According to a source, 'Chalamet broke up with Kylie,' but added a telling caveat: 'this has happened before – but she talked him into getting back together. She is crazy about him so that could well happen again.'
Public Appearances and Private Struggles
If a reconciliation is being considered, Chalamet gave nothing away during his New York promotional duties for the upcoming film Marty Supreme. He was seen flashing a sly grin, looking surprisingly upbeat while dressed in a sleek all-black leather jacket and trousers with a grey hoodie underneath.
The timing of his solo appearance coincides with his new Vogue cover story, which many fans have interpreted as a subtle dig at Jenner. The magazine noted that the actor 'will not talk about his relationship,' and quoted him directly: 'I don’t say that with any fear, I just don’t have anything to say.' Despite his reluctance to discuss his romantic life, the interviewer observed that Chalamet didn't mind acknowledging he was entering a new stage in his life. He referenced his sister's new baby and his Dune co-star Zendaya's engagement to Tom Holland, hinting that fatherhood is something he's now considering.
For her part, Jenner has been equally reserved in her own 2024 British Vogue profile, stating plainly, 'Privacy is so important to me in life.' However, according to insiders speaking to Radar, the makeup mogul was reportedly upset by Chalamet's casual dismissal of their relationship in his interview. A friend revealed, 'Kylie was really upset by how casually Timothée dismissed the question. She honestly believed they were past the point of hiding things and that he'd want to celebrate their relationship, not act like it doesn't exist.'
The Strain of Imbalance and Packed Schedules
Sources indicate that an imbalance of effort has been a significant strain on the relationship. One insider familiar with the situation explained, 'It's really strained things,' adding that Jenner has been the one consistently 'reaching out, calling, visiting – but she's beginning to feel like she's putting in all the effort.' This dynamic was further emphasised by another source who stated, 'She's traveled everywhere to support Timothée, but he rarely returns the favor. It's starting to really bother her.'
Their demanding careers and packed calendars have undoubtedly complicated matters. In over two and a half years together, Chalamet has notably never appeared on The Kardashians, attended the Met Gala with Jenner, or posted publicly about her—not even a birthday acknowledgement. Industry insiders suggest this is simply his nature; one told Radar, 'He's never been the kind of person to make his relationships part of the spotlight.'
Despite feeling 'shocked and heartbroken,' insiders say Jenner is trying to maintain a positive front for her fans. 'She's raging, shocked and heartbroken at the same time, but, as usual, is trying to put a brave face on things by keeping posting "happy" social media snaps,' a source said.
The situation has even drawn commentary from relationship experts. Trauma counsellor Audrey Hope cautioned, 'Relationships get ugly when one party loves you more, wants more than the other.' She pointed to the travel imbalance as a significant red flag, adding, 'The fact that Kylie Jenner is at all Timothée's events and he does not reciprocate in the same way is a big deal. It shows that something is afoot in paradise.'
