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Timothée Chalamet promises to do his best in his on-screen roles and honor them in real life.
The Marty Supreme actor spoke during a Q&A at London’s Prince Charles Cinema on Sunday, February 1, about his tendency to make bold public appearances in honor of his current projects, which many perceive as promotions for ambitious films. For Chalamet, these examples mean greater acceptance of the art form.
According to Variety, Chalamet, 30, said, “I don’t think of it as promotion or marketing at all. I think of it as expanding myself as an artist,” adding, “I feel like I’m expressing myself…I feel like I’ve got the keys, I feel like I’ve got the right attitude, I feel like I’ve got the juice.”
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The same was true for Chalamet’s Saturday Night Live double appearance as host and musical guest in January 2025. Chalamet channeled Bob Dylan (the character the actor played in Complete Unknown) during the music corner, singing songs by the iconic musician, including “Outlaw Blues, Three Angels” and “Tomorrow Is a Long Time.”
Chalamet’s performance of Dylan’s “personal favorite” song almost never happened, Chalamet revealed. The Oscar nominee says he had to push SNL creators hard to secure the musical guest slot.
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“I spent over six figures out of my pocket for my SNL performance,” Chalamet said. “Lorne Michaels said, ‘Why don’t you try hosting SNL?'” I said, “Yeah, can I do music?” He was like, “No.” I said, “Okay, I’m not doing it.” He said, “Okay, try playing music.” But I didn’t take no for an answer. ”
Chalamet, who played Dylan in Complete Unknown, received his first Grammy nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack in the Visual Media category.
The singer’s biopic, which debuted in December 2024, follows the young Minnesota musician as he makes his way across New York City in the early 1960s, just as his career is just beginning.
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Chalamet said his approach to the role was to bring in a “Method energy,” but for him that meant just “matching the tone of the movie” rather than a more meticulous approach.
