Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet has shared his personal list of the all-time greatest British figures, delivering a surprising and heartfelt endorsement for singer Susan Boyle.
Chalamet's Quintessential Brits
The 29-year-old actor, currently generating significant Oscar buzz for his leading role in the new sports drama Marty Supreme, compiled his top five. Alongside global icons like Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and fashion power couple David and Victoria Beckham, Chalamet included hip hop artist Fakemink. The most notable entry, however, was Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer who became a global phenomenon after appearing on Britain's Got Talent in 2009.
The Power of a Dream
Chalamet, who would have been just 14 years old when Boyle auditioned, vividly recalls the impact of her performance. "She dreamt bigger than any of us," he said, a likely reference to Boyle's stunning rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables, which left judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and Piers Morgan speechless.
He described the viral clip of her audition as being "like the advent of YouTube," emphasising its cultural significance. "Who wasn't moved by that? I remember that like it was yesterday," Chalamet added.
From Talent Show to Stardom
Boyle, now 64, finished as a runner-up on that series of the ITV competition but her journey was only beginning. She swiftly secured a recording deal and released two albums that both reached number one in the United States, cementing her status as a bona fide music star.
Meanwhile, Chalamet's own star continues to rise. Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie, sees him portray professional table tennis player Marty Mauser, who won the US men’s singles championships in 1958 and 1960. The film has garnered critical acclaim, with The Independent's five-star review hailing Chalamet as "one of our greatest talents."
A US release is set for Christmas Day, with a UK launch following on Boxing Day. A nomination would mark Chalamet's third Oscar nod, following recognition for Call Me By Your Name (2017) and this year's Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown.
