Timothée Chalamet, Hollywood’s acclaimed young actor, has revealed his dedication to his craft, his reflections on his twenties, and an unexpected admiration for Scottish singer Susan Boyle. In a wide-ranging interview with the BBC, Chalamet spoke about his latest film, Marty Supreme, his approach to acting, and the inspiration he draws from unlikely sources.
Seven Years of Table Tennis Training for Marty Supreme
For his role in Marty Supreme, a film inspired by post-war table tennis star Marty Reisman, Chalamet committed seven years of preparation to master the sport. He explained:
“I got approached with this project in 2018. So that basically gave me six, seven years to prepare on and off. In all my downtime, I would train as much as possible.”
Chalamet’s meticulous preparation mirrors his approach to previous roles. For his Oscar-nominated performance in A Complete Unknown, he spent five years learning the guitar. His goal is to make his performances authentic, whether playing guitar or perfecting a backhand for table tennis.
He even brought a table tennis table to the French Riviera during filming for The French Dispatch and practiced at sunset with friends, showing his commitment to immersive preparation.
Reflecting on His Twenties
As Chalamet nears his 30th birthday on 27 December, he reflected on his twenties—a decade marked by artistic growth, high-profile awards, and personal learning experiences.
“It’s been great. You know, it’s been awesome. I feel like I’m living in a dream,” he said. He has twice been nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars and recently won a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance, reinforcing his status as one of Hollywood’s brightest talents.
He spoke candidly about the challenges of growing into himself:
“As you approach 30, you want to be more on your feet. You want to grow into yourself. But that is a huge learning curve.”
Chalamet emphasized that his twenties were about taking risks, pursuing passions, and occasionally looking foolish—all part of the journey toward greatness.
Originality in Cinema and Marty Supreme
Chalamet is passionate about supporting cinema as a traditional art form. Despite the rise of streaming platforms, he believes theatrical experiences will survive and thrive, and he sees Marty Supreme as an opportunity to bring audiences back to cinemas.
“This is an original film at a time where a lot of original films aren’t made,” he said. He has promoted the movie with unique tactics, including presenting Marty Supreme jackets to notable figures like Frank Ocean, Tom Brady, and Barcelona’s young talent Lamine Yamal.
An Unexpected Admiration: Susan Boyle
During the interview, Chalamet revealed an unexpected pick when asked which British personalities he admired. After considering several public figures, including Lewis Hamilton and David and Victoria Beckham, he paused before naming Susan Boyle.
“She dreamt bigger than all of us. Who wasn’t moved by that?” he said, referring to Boyle’s 2009 Britain’s Got Talent audition, in which she performed I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables. Chalamet, then just 13, remembers the moment vividly, calling it “like the advent of YouTube.”
Boyle, known for her inspiring story and two US number-one albums, clearly left a lasting impact on one of Hollywood’s most admired young actors, showing that talent and perseverance can inspire across generations.
Looking Forward: Dreams and Legacy
Chalamet’s reflections combine passion for his craft, respect for cinema, and admiration for pioneers like Susan Boyle. As he turns 30, he looks forward to pursuing original and challenging roles while continuing to inspire and engage audiences worldwide.
“Timothée Chalamet is about to channel his inner Susan Boyle and dream his own dream,” the actor muses, highlighting the ongoing journey of a young star dedicated to excellence.
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