Timothée's shoutout for Kylie and other moments from Critics' Choice Awards
BBC | 05.01.2026 16:45
Timothée Chalamet thanked his girlfriend Kylie Jenner and told her he loved her from the stage, as he won best actor at the 2026 Critics' Choice Awards on Sunday.
The 30-year-old won the prize for his performance in Marty Supreme as an ambitious table-tennis player making his name in the 1950s.
Elsewhere, Irish actress Jessie Buckley was named best actress, and British drama Adolescence also won four prizes.
Hosted by comedian and actress Chelsea Handler, the ceremony honoured the year's best in film, streaming and TV, as voted for by critics and journalists.
The Critics Choice Awards, held at Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport in California, can give a boost of momentum for stars in the Oscars race, although they are seen as less influential than many other precursor ceremonies.
1. "I love you", Timothée tells Kylie
Watch: Timothée Chalamet wins Best Actor Award at the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards
Accepting his award for best actor, Chalamet noted: "I've got a lot of people to thank. I don't know if I'll be up here again, so give me a second."
Appearing somewhat shaken by the win and stumbling over his words a little, he added: "Damn, I'm more nervous than I thought I'd be."
The actor thanked his fellow nominees, especially Sinners star Michael B Jordan, before paying tribute to own film's director, Josh Safdie, for "crafting a role and a story" for him.
"You made a story about the relatable dream and you didn't preach to the audience about what's right and wrong. I think you should all be telling stories like that, so thank you for this dream," he said.
But it was his tribute to his partner Kylie Jenner by the way that grabbed the headlines.
"Thank you to my partner of three years. Thank you for our foundation," he said. "I love you. I couldn't do this without you."
2. Buckley bigs up co-star Paul Mescal
Irish actress Jessie Buckley collected the award for best actress for the historical drama Hamnet.
Adapted from Maggie O'Farrell's novel, the film explores the relationship between William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes in the wake of their 11-year-old son's death.
Buckley thanked director Chloe Zhao and co-stars Paul Mescal and Emily Watson in her acceptance speech, calling Watson her "north star".
"Chloe Zhao, you have reminded me of the power of telling a story and the journey that you can go on to touch the deepest parts of what it is to be alive, thank you," she said.
"Paul, I bloody love you man. And I know loads of other women do in this room too, but tough [luck]!
"I could drink you like water working with you every single day. You're a giant of the heart and thank you so much for making me a little bit more human."
3. Adolescence star Owen Cooper's whirlwind success


Adolescence star Owen Cooper, 16, took home the prize for best supporting actor in a limited series.
The programme, one of Netflix's most-watched titles of last year, follows a 13-year-old boy arrested for the murder of a classmate.
Young Warringtonian, Cooper, thanked his co-stars, collaborators and family in a heartwarming speech.
"The past year has been a complete whirlwind for me and my family. Honestly, it's changed our lives forever and we're forever grateful," he said.
"Receiving this award means more to me than I can put even into words, to be standing here with you all tonight is something that I'll never forget."
His co-stars Stephen Graham and Erin Doherty won best actor and supporting actress in a limited series, respectively.
4. Seth Rogen can now quit therapy after win
Canadian actor Seth Rogen joked about the importance of awards to his mental and emotional health while accepting the trophy for best actor in a comedy series for The Studio.
The comedy sees Rogen play Matt Remick, the newly appointed hapless head of Continental Studios, who is desperate for celebrity approval while also trying to achieve both critical acclaim and box office success.
"This is so nice as someone who deeply, deeply, deeply cares what critics think of them and their work," he joked from the stage.
"This is what I'm looking for. I can cancel therapy this week, this is like - I'm good. I'm fixed. I'm fine, I think."
5. Jimmy Kimmel pokes fun at Donald Trump (again)
Jimmy Kimmel said he was surprised to win best talk series, before unravelling a comically long written acceptance speech.
Aiming a dig at Donald Trump, Kimmel said he would've preferred to win a "FIFA peace prize", with reference to the award the US President received at the now renamed Kennedy Center during the recent World Cup draw.
The US chat show host recently apologised for making light of the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on his TV return, after initially being taken off air.
On Sunday, Kimmel went on to comically thanks critics by name, including Jeffrey Howard from KCLV-TV in Las Vegas, who Kimmel revealed he actually went to high school with.
6. One battle won for Leonardo DiCaprio film
Leonardo DiCaprio's breathless action thriller, One Battle After Another, clinched best picture, while Paul Thomas Anderson took home best director.
The movie is considered a frontrunner in both categories at the Oscars in March, up against the likes of Marty Supreme, Hamnet and Sinners.
US vampire thriller Sinners won four categories including best casting and best ensemble.
Elsewhere on the night, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy picked up the award for best movie made for television.
And the Netflix animated movie K-Pop Demon Hunters nabbed two wins for best animated series and best song.
Stars dressed to impress
Awards season, of course, means it's time for the stars to dig out your their best outfits.
One Battle After Another stars Chase Infiniti and Teyana Taylor certainly understood the brief.
Infiniti wore a sleeveless yellow Louis Vuitton number, while Taylor's menswear-inspired look by Saint Laurent included a wool double-breasted jacket adorned with feathers.
Sinners star Michael B Jordan made a statement with his burgundy suit, striped tie and boots.
And Mia Goth, one of the stars of The Frankenstein, went for a white silk floor-length dress by Dior.
Wicked star Ariana Grande also graced the "black carpet" in Alberta Ferretti with Bucherer Fine Jewellery and Jimmy Choo shoes.