In a surprising turn of events at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday night, Timothee Chalamet was snubbed for the Lead Actor Award, losing out to Robert Aramayo, the star of I Swear. This unexpected outcome ended Chalamet's winning streak, following his recent triumphs at both the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes last month.
Robert Aramayo's Emotional Victory
Robert Aramayo secured the prestigious gong for his role in the biopic I Swear, which centres on campaigner John Davidson's life amid his Tourette's diagnosis. The film depicts Davidson's younger years living in Glasgow, a time when little was known about Tourette Syndrome. As his name was announced, Aramayo's father jumped to his feet, shouting with delight, while the actor himself was overcome with emotion.
Addressing the crowd, Aramayo expressed disbelief, stating, 'I absolutely can’t believe this. I can’t believe I’m looking at people like you never mind that I’m stood here.' He added, 'I honestly cannot believe that I have won this award I really cannot. Everyone in this category blows me away.' Aramayo also shared a heartfelt anecdote about Ethan Hawke's impact on him during a talk at Juilliard, emphasising longevity as an actor and avoiding self-destructive behaviours.
A Star-Studded Category
The Lead Actor category was fiercely competitive, featuring several big names. Alongside Robert Aramayo and Timothee Chalamet, nominees included:
- Leonardo DiCaprio for his role in One Battle Another
- Ethan Hawke for Blue Moon
- Michael B. Jordan for Sinners
- Jesse Plemons for Bugonia
As the camera panned to the fellow actors, Leonardo DiCaprio was seen clapping politely, while Timothee Chalamet managed a smile despite the disappointment.
Double Win for Aramayo
Earlier in the evening, Robert Aramayo also won the EE Rising Star Award, the only accolade voted for by the public. Other nominees in this category were Miles Caton, Chase Infiniti, Archie Madekwe, and Posy Sterling. During his acceptance speech, Aramayo joked about a previous mishap, saying, 'Oh my word this is really scary last time I was at the BAFTAs I dropped the award, I hope this goes better.'
He went on to thank his family and the I Swear team, stating, 'I want to acknowledge my family who support me all the time I can see my dad up there and my mum and my sister and my amazing partner. I love you all so much and my second family, my I Swear family, thank you so much for letting me tell your story. John Davidson is the most amazing person I have ever met.'
This double victory marks a significant milestone in Aramayo's career, overshadowing Chalamet's predicted win and highlighting the unpredictable nature of award ceremonies.
