Timothée Chalamet Faces Backlash: Why Friends Fear Kylie Jenner Is Just 'PR Strategy'

The flashbulbs erupted in a frenzy at the Los Angeles premiere of Marty Supreme, capturing a moment that seemed designed to silence the skeptics once and for all. Dressed in synchronised, vivid orange ensembles that demanded attention, Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet put on a united front that screamed defiance at the swirling split rumours.

Yet, while the cameras captured a picture-perfect Hollywood power couple, whispers from their inner circle suggest that this dazzling display of affection might be less about romance and more about a calculated strategy for the upcoming awards season.

For weeks, speculation had reached a fever pitch that the couple, who have been together for nearly three years, had quietly called time on their relationship. But their emphatic return to the spotlight has done little to assuage the fears of Kylie's closest friends.

Insiders tell Heat that those in the beauty mogul's orbit are increasingly concerned that the 29-year-old actor is leveraging his girlfriend's immense fame to bolster his profile during a critical window in his career.

Is the Romance Between Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet Just for Show?

Despite the outward show of solidarity, sources indicate that the dynamic behind closed doors has been far from smooth. The narrative of a blissful reunion masks a period of significant distance, exacerbated by Timothée's intense work schedule.

'Kylie and Timothée never officially broke up, but it's common knowledge he was keeping her at arm's length for a while,' an insider revealed to Heat. The strain reportedly peaked during the filming of his latest project, leaving Kylie, 28, feeling isolated. 'She struggled with the time apart when he was filming in Budapest recently and he found her neediness hard to deal with. But she hung on in there'.

This tension makes their sudden, high-profile resurgence all the more suspicious to onlookers. Just recently, Timothée flatly refused to engage with questions about his personal life during an interview, shutting down the topic with a blunt, 'I just don't have anything to say'. Such evasiveness, contrasted with their coordinated red-carpet appearance, has led many to wonder where the line between genuine affection and public relations management truly lies.

Inside the PR Machine: Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet's Red Carpet Strategy

The timing of their appearance is impossible to ignore. With Hollywood gearing up for the Oscars, visibility is the currency of the realm, and few things generate headlines quite like a Jenner on your arm. Sources suggest that Timothée, despite his indie darling reputation, is keenly aware of the game he needs to play.

'He's still really attracted to her and is also pretty PR savvy,' the source explained. 'Having Kylie on his arm definitely gets him in the headlines, which is super-important right now as he makes another big Oscars push. The plan is for Kylie to show up strategically to select events when he needs to make a big splash, and she's excited to be a part of that. But many of Kylie's friends and family think she's making a fool of herself and believe he's using her for photo ops'.

The orchestration of their latest outing seems to support this theory. It wasn't a spontaneous date night; it was a curated moment. 'It was Kylie's idea to wear matching outfits,' the insider noted. 'She promised Timothée it would generate positive buzz and it did. They both enjoyed strutting their stuff and putting an end to the split rumours'.

Even the wider Jenner clan appears to be mobilised for the promotional campaign. Ensuring the family machine was firing on all cylinders, Kylie's mother, Kris Jenner, took to Instagram to share a photo of her daughter wearing a Marty Supreme hoodie, signalling a full endorsement of the film's rollout.

A Future in the Balance

The pair first made waves with their public debut at the US Open in September 2023, and have since maintained a notoriously low profile, surfacing only for major industry events like the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs. They only became 'red-carpet official' earlier this year, adhering to Kylie's philosophy that 'I think it's important to keep things to yourself'.

However, as the pressure of the awards circuit mounts, the cracks may be beginning to show. While Kylie remains committed, friends worry that the emotional investment is lopsided. 'Friends say that Kylie is still "besotted" by Timothée,' the source added. 'Only time will tell if these two have what it takes to last. Some people feel he doesn't seem as invested in the relationship as she is, but Kylie's confident they've got what it takes to build a future together'.

For now, the cameras are flashing, and the headlines are written, just as planned. But once the red carpet is rolled up and the Oscar buzz fades, the true nature of Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet's connection will face its real test.