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The 98th Academy Awards once again brought huge names together to celebrate the magic of cinema. Timothée Chalamet went into the ceremony as a frontrunner for an award thanks to his performance in Marty Supreme. Unfortunately, he didn’t walk away with the Oscar that he dreamed of. Here’s what a body language expert noticed about Chalamet’s “cocky” attitude at the Oscars in 2026.

Timothée Chalamet appeared ‘cocky’ at the Oscars, according to a body language expert

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Timothée Chalamet had high hopes of taking home a win at the 2026 Oscars. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance as Marty Mauser, a table tennis prodigy, in Marty Supreme. The film received critical acclaim. And weeks before the 98th Academy Awards, many fans assumed that Chalamet would sweep the competition. Unfortunately for the young actor, he lost to Michael B. Jordan over Jordan’s performance in Sinners.

Before the award for Best Actor was announced, body language expert Dr. Lillian Glass spoke on behalf of Casino.guru/USA regarding Chalamet’s body language. Glass noticed Chalamet walking with long strides and his arms behind his back, displaying dominance on the red carpet. However, while Chalamet appeared to project assurance with his look and posture, he very well may have been trying to manage the internal pressure he felt under the spotlight.

“He seemed a bit cocky with his arms placed behind him and a wide stride,” Glass said exclusively for Showbiz Cheat Sheet.

Previously, Chalamet said he pursued “greatness” in acting.

“I know we’re in a subjective business, but the truth is, I’m really in pursuit of greatness,” he said during his acceptance speech for Best Actor at the 2025 SAG Award for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown. “I know people don’t usually talk like that, but I want to be one of the greats. I’m inspired by the greats; I’m inspired by the greats here tonight. I’m as inspired by Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando, and Viola Davis as I am by Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps, and I want to be up there, so I’m deeply grateful to that. This doesn’t signify that, but it’s a little more fuel. It’s a little more ammo to keep going.”

Conan O’Brien roasted the ‘Marty Supreme’ actor for his comments regarding ballet and opera

Timothée Chalamet hit a nerve with the public for comments regarding the ballet and opera while in conversation with Matthew McConaughey. During a February 2026 Variety and CNN town hall, the Marty Supreme actor said, “I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.'” He then quickly noted that he has “respect” for the ballet and opera.

Unfortunately, the comments a few weeks before the Oscars stuck with fans. Host Conan O’Brien joked about Chalamet’s remarks during the Academy Awards opening ceremony.

“Security is extremely tight tonight,” O’Brien said. “I’m told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet community. … They’re just mad you left out jazz.”

Chalamet laughed at the joke as the camera panned to him and Kylie Jenner.

Before the Oscars, Steven Spielberg also mentioned Chalamet’s ballet and opera comment during a panel at the 2026 SXSW Conference and Festival.

“At the end of a really good movie experience, we are all united with a whole bunch of feelings that we walk into the daylight with, or into the nighttime with,” Spielberg said, according to People. “And there’s nothing like that. It happens in movies, and in concerts. And it happens in ballet and opera, by the way.”

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