During the intense media campaign for Josh Safdie’s ping-pong drama, Marty Supreme, Chelsea Handler has voiced sharp criticism of Timothée Chalamet’s passionate promotional approach. Handler, speaking on the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast, expressed concern about how Chalamet’s press strategy, including numerous high-profile stunts, is impacting perceptions of the Timothée Chalamet Marty Supreme promotion.
Chelsea Handler Questions Chalamet’s Promotional Tactics
Handler’s remarks emerged as guest Amanda Hirsch questioned the seriousness of Chalamet’s efforts to market the upcoming sports movie. Handler, agreeing with Hirsch’s observations, addressed Chalamet’s recent behavior during media appearances and public events.
“He seemed pretty serious about winning and getting acknowledged for his great acting,”
Amanda Hirsch, Podcast Host. Handler made clear her respect for Chalamet’s acting ability, yet she criticized the overall tone of his comments throughout the promotional tour.
“It’s hard to hear someone talk about how great they are at acting,”
Chelsea Handler, Comedian and TV Host.
Unconventional Stunts and Media Appearances Draw Attention
Chalamet’s approach to promoting Marty Supreme has been widely discussed, as he continues to raise awareness through unique public stunts and bold statements. Notably, he made history by appearing atop the Sphere in Las Vegas, where the sphere itself was transformed visually into a giant ping-pong ball—a move that captured headlines. On another occasion, Chalamet went on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, accompanied by silent men dressed in black body suits and sporting bright orange ping-pong ball masks, creating a surreal visual spectacle.
Controversy Surrounds Chalamet’s Public Statements
Much of the debate has centered on Chalamet’s interviews, which have become flashpoints for mixed reactions among fans and critics. In a particularly polarizing exchange, Chalamet said that Marty Supreme represented the best work he had delivered after a series of strong performances over the last several years. He reinforced his commitment by saying,
“I don’t want people to take it for granted. I don’t want to take it for granted. This is really some top-level s—,”
Timothée Chalamet, Actor. While this confidence has been perceived by some as authentic, others—including Handler—see traces of entitlement in his tone.
Chalamet Responds: Motivated by the Spirit of the Film
Chalamet has insisted his high-energy press tour is aligned with the themes of Marty Supreme. When asked directly about his promotional choices, Chalamet stated,
“This is in the spirit of Marty, and I feel like this is ultimately an original film at a time when original movies aren’t really put out,”
Timothée Chalamet, Actor. Further emphasizing his efforts, he added,
“It’s a movie about the pursuit of a dream. I’m leaving it on the field. Whether it’s the merch or the Zoom or the media appearances, I’m trying to get this out in the biggest way possible. In the spirit of Marty Mauser,”
Timothée Chalamet, Actor.
Awards Season and Personal Reflections
Despite the criticism, Chalamet’s performance has achieved significant recognition during the latest awards cycle. He recently won a Critics Choice Award for Best Actor and a Golden Globes Award for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy, and he is considered a strong contender for a Best Actor nomination at the Oscars. Even with these successes, the 30-year-old has previously expressed his frustration about coming up short at major events. In a November 2025 Vogue interview, he revealed his emotional reaction to award losses, sharing,
“If there’s five people at an awards show, and four people go home losing, you don’t think those four people are at the restaurant like, ‘Damn, we didn’t win?’ I’ve been around some deeply generous, no-ego actors, and maybe some of them are going, ‘That was fun.’ But I know for a fact a lot of them are going, ‘F—!’,”
Timothée Chalamet, Actor.
Chalamet responded to recent labels as a ‘try-hard’ or show-off by asserting,
“People can call me a try-hard, and they can say whatever the fuck,”
Timothée Chalamet, Actor.
“But I’m the one actually doing it here,”
Timothée Chalamet, Actor. This candidness has continued to fuel discussion among observers in Hollywood and beyond.
Comparisons to Hollywood Legends
Handler and Hirsch likened Chalamet’s recent conduct to established Hollywood figures, most notably Leonardo DiCaprio. Hirsch called DiCaprio her “gold star” example of how a traditional movie star behaves, highlighting the difference in public persona between the two actors. Hirsch referenced DiCaprio’s much-publicized wait for Oscar recognition, remarking,
“Even though it took him so long to win, right? He didn’t win anything until that wrestling with the bear movie [The Revenant],”
Amanda Hirsch, Podcast Host. Handler added,
“Leo wouldn’t do that. Leo is a movie star. He wouldn’t talk like that. That’s new. I haven’t heard any actor kind of talk like that,”
Chelsea Handler, Comedian and TV Host.
Marty Supreme: Film Details and Chalamet’s Role
Marty Supreme, directed, produced, and co-written by Josh Safdie, focuses on the story of Marty Mauser, an ambitious table tennis prodigy played by Timothée Chalamet, as he strives to reach the top tier of his sport. The film’s cast features Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, and Fran Drescher, with a narrative centered around competitive sports drama and the pursuit of personal dreams.
Industry Impact and What Lies Ahead
The intensity and unconventional tactics surrounding the Timothée Chalamet Marty Supreme promotion have sparked debate about what it means to be a modern movie star in Hollywood. With his awards-season momentum and continued public scrutiny, Chalamet is likely to remain a focal point as the Oscar race progresses. The attention given to his performance, alongside that of co-stars like Gwyneth Paltrow and Fran Drescher, ensures Marty Supreme will continue to generate headlines and provoke discussion across the entertainment industry.
Timothée Chalamet says he’s given “top-of-the-line performances” these last “seven, eight years”: “I don’t want people to take it for granted. I don’t want to take it for granted. This is really some top-level shit”
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