Timothée Chalamet's Unconventional Oscar Campaign: Will it Pay Off?

Image credits: Macall Polay

Timothée Chalamet's Oscar campaign has been making headlines with his unconventional approach, which has included riding an e-bike to a premiere, crashing his own lookalike contest, and making humorous appearances on Saturday Night Live. His efforts have been seen as a breath of fresh air in the traditional and often predictable world of awards season campaigning. Chalamet's actions have been praised for speaking directly to his peer group, particularly Gen Z, and for redefining what an awards season campaign can look like for someone of his age.

Despite his impressive campaign, Chalamet still faces stiff competition from Adrien Brody, who has already won several awards for his role in The Brutalist. Brody's experience and reputation may give him an edge, but Chalamet's youthful energy and dedication to his craft have won over many fans. Chalamet's SAG acceptance speech, in which he expressed his desire to be considered one of the greats, has been particularly notable, and his willingness to poke fun at himself and not take the awards season too seriously has been seen as a refreshing change. The use of social media has also played a significant role in Chalamet's campaign, allowing him to connect with his fans and showcase his personality.

Clayton Davis, Variety's Chief Awards Editor, believes that Chalamet's campaign has been successful in speaking to his peer group and that it could potentially benefit the Academy Awards by attracting a younger audience. Davis also notes that the Oscars have changed in recent years, with a more diverse and younger membership, which could work in Chalamet's favor. However, Davis also acknowledges that Chalamet's chances of winning are still uncertain, given the traditional nature of the Oscars and the fact that voting has already closed. The Academy has been trying to find ways to reach a younger audience, and Chalamet's campaign may be seen as a step in the right direction.

Some of the notable moments from Chalamet's campaign include his appearance on College Gameday, where he made accurate college football predictions, and his interview with YouTuber Brittany Broski, where he described his lean aesthetic as "empowering the anemic." These moments have showcased Chalamet's personality and sense of humor, and have helped to generate buzz around his campaign. Chalamet's fan base, including the dedicated fan account Club Chalamet, has also been actively promoting his work and campaigning for him to win the Oscar.

Ultimately, the outcome of the Oscars is uncertain, and it remains to be seen whether Chalamet's unconventional campaign will pay off. However, one thing is clear: Chalamet has already won the hearts of many fans and has brought a much-needed injection of energy and excitement to the awards season. His campaign has been a testament to the power of creativity and self-expression, and has shown that even in the traditional world of Hollywood, it's possible to think outside the box and try something new.