Timothée Chalamet experienced a rather forgettable night at the 2026 Oscars. Despite being nominated, the 30-year-old actor reportedly walked away empty-handed, and in a surprising turn of events, he and his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, were said to have temporarily vacated the ceremony for approximately an hour. This departure is rumoured to have been a direct response to a series of jokes made at Chalamet’s expense throughout the evening.
A Mid-Ceremony Exit
Eyewitnesses at the prestigious event shared details with a news outlet on Monday, March 16, revealing that “Timothée and Kylie were replaced by seat fillers for an hour.” The source elaborated, “It seems like he had enough of being the butt of the jokes.” This insider further explained that the A-list couple, whose romantic connection was first reported in August 2023, made their return to the ceremony “just before the Best Actress and Best Actor categories were announced.” This strategic reappearance ensured they didn’t miss the highly anticipated final awards of the night.
Conan O’Brien’s Jabs at Chalamet
The comedic jabs directed at the Marty Supreme actor began early in the broadcast. Host Conan O’Brien, 62, didn’t hold back in his opening monologue, delivering a few pointed remarks at Chalamet, particularly referencing his recent controversial comments concerning ballet and opera. O’Brien quipped, “Security is extremely tight tonight. I’m told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities.” He then humorously added, as the camera panned to the Best Actor nominee, who managed a polite laugh, “They’re just mad you left out jazz.”
Chalamet’s Controversial Remarks on Arts
The controversy stems from comments Timothée Chalamet made in February, which sparked significant backlash. Speaking with Matthew McConaughey about the evolving entertainment landscape, Chalamet stated, “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera, or you know, things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive,’ even though it’s like, no one cares about this anymore.” He continued, “All respect to the ballet and opera people out there. I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I just took shots for no reason.” These remarks were widely interpreted as dismissive of traditional art forms, leading to a flurry of criticism from various artistic communities and the public.
An “Irish Exit” at the Vanity Fair Party
Following the Oscars ceremony, the nominated actor and the Keeping Up With the Kardashians alum, 28, attended the highly exclusive 2026 Vanity Fair Oscars party. Inside the glitzy affair, they were spotted mingling and enjoying champagne alongside notable figures such as Mick Jagger and Nicole Kidman. Sources within the party observed that the Dune actor made an effort to maintain a low profile, reportedly “tried to be low-key” by keeping “sunglasses on for most of the night.” However, his choice of attire, a striking white suit, apparently made him stand out.
An insider at the party noted, “Kylie and him stayed for a while but then left together without being seen.” The source further commented, “It was the Irish exit he wanted — and needed.” This suggests that after the pressures of the Oscars and the preceding controversies, the couple sought a discreet departure from the post-ceremony celebrations. The term “Irish exit” typically refers to leaving a party or gathering without saying goodbye to anyone, often to avoid lengthy farewells or unwanted attention. For Chalamet, this discreet exit may have been a welcome respite after a night filled with both professional disappointment and public scrutiny.
