What was supposed to be a glamorous, carefully choreographed Golden Globes appearance quickly spiraled into controversy after candid footage of Kylie Jenner began circulating online. The 28-year-old billionaire and reality star found herself at the center of backlash after being caught on camera making a crude gesture while seated beside her boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards.
On the red carpet, Jenner looked every bit the polished beauty mogul, posing confidently in a metallic Ashi Studio gown. But a behind-the-scenes photo shared by Variety painted a very different picture. In the viral image, Jenner is seen sticking out her tongue and flashing double middle fingers toward the camera, while Chalamet appeared noticeably stiff and uncomfortable beside her.
The moment spread rapidly across social media, and reactions were swift. While the outlet framed the interaction as the couple “getting silly,” many online viewers weren’t amused. Critics argued that the behavior felt wildly out of place at one of Hollywood’s most prestigious nights, especially given the formal setting and elite company.
Commenters on X didn’t hold back. Some mocked the gesture with sarcastic remarks about “class,” while others openly questioned Jenner’s fit within the traditional Hollywood crowd. Several users zeroed in on Chalamet’s body language, suggesting he looked embarrassed by the moment. One particularly harsh comment claimed the incident proved that “no amount of money can buy class,” while others described the behavior as juvenile, likening it to a teenager acting out rather than a seasoned public figure at a major awards ceremony.
Still, the reaction wasn’t entirely one-sided. Despite the online firestorm, Jenner appeared to receive a warmer reception from Hollywood insiders than she had in previous years. During the ceremony, Elle Fanning stopped by the couple’s table to chat, and Jennifer Lawrence—who has openly praised the Kardashian family in the past—posed for photos with Jenner, signaling a level of acceptance that had previously seemed elusive.
The contrast was notable compared to the year before. At the 2025 Golden Globes, Jenner was widely perceived to have been snubbed by Demi Moore, who approached the table but engaged only with Fanning and Chalamet while pointedly ignoring Jenner. The moment drew extra attention because Jenner had dressed as Moore’s Striptease character for Halloween just months earlier, fueling speculation of lingering tension.
Adding another layer to the night, Chalamet publicly affirmed his relationship with Jenner during his acceptance speech. After winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Musical or Comedy for Marty Supreme, he closed his remarks by thanking his parents and his partner, telling the audience, “I love you.” It marked one of his most direct public acknowledgments of their relationship to date.
The declaration followed a similar moment just days earlier at the Critics’ Choice Awards, where Chalamet thanked his “partner of three years” from the stage. Cameras captured Jenner mouthing “I love you” back, offering a glimpse into their connection despite the controversy swirling around them.
In the end, the Golden Globes moment highlighted the complicated space Jenner occupies in Hollywood—simultaneously embraced by powerful insiders and harshly judged by the public. One candid snapshot was enough to ignite debate about decorum, image, and whether celebrity privilege comes with different rules, even on Hollywood’s biggest night.
