Kevin O’Leary likes his Marty Supreme costar Timothée Chalamet’s chances at the 2026 Oscars, despite the negative online discourse.
“I just put 1,000 bucks on [betting app] Kalshi walking in here that he’s gonna win,” O’Leary, 71, told Variety at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15. “Because I know the voting stopped long before that controversy happened.”
O’Leary revealed his Oscars night bet after he was asked what Chalamet, 30, is like in real life after the actor made headlines for his disparaging remarks about certain performing arts.
“He’s a really great guy, his mother’s really nice,” O’Leary continued. “The kid is a great kid. He took a bum rap on that. By the way, he gave a lot of promo to opera houses and ballet.”
Kevin O’Leary and Timothée Chalamet Getty Images (2)
At the beginning of awards season, fans were convinced that Chalamet’s Oscar win was secured after starring as Marty Mauser in Marty Supreme. However, social media is hoping for a Michael B. Jordan upset for the actor’s role — ahem, roles — in Sinners.
The internet riding for Chalamet came to an abrupt end last month, when he sat down for a conversation with Matthew McConaughey for Variety.
“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore,’” he said in part while discussing the evolution of the film industry. (Chalamet previously made a similar comment about opera and ballet in 2019.)
Chalamet was quick to clock his own comments before noting that he has nothing but “respect to the ballet and opera people out there.”
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“Damn, I just took shots for no reason,” he added.
Despite his pseudo apology, fans did not appreciate his comments. Several stars have since thrown shade at Chalamet’s controversial take, while hate comments directed towards the actor online have hit a fever pitch..
While Chalamet’s interview was released before Oscars voting ended, his comments didn’t go viral until after the ballots were cast. Basically, it’s anybody’s game. (Final voting for the Oscars closed on March 5.)
Chalamet took home the Critics Choice Award and Golden Globe for Marty Supreme, while Jordan won at SAG’s Actor Awards last month.
“I wasn’t expecting this at all,” the 39-year-old actor said during his acceptance speech. “I’m so honored and privileged to be nominated in this category with people and actors and humans that I love, and I love their work and I love what they contribute to our craft.”