Kylie Jenner was left visibly squirming during an awkward and suggestive joke delivered by host Alan Cumming at Sunday night's 2026 British Academy Film Awards. The reality television star and business mogul, aged 28, attended the prestigious ceremony at London's Royal Festival Hall to support her boyfriend, actor Timothée Chalamet.
Awkward Moment with British Snacks
During the event, Cumming, 61, distributed what he termed 'very British snacks' to celebrities in the audience. While Chalamet, 30, received a packet of Scampi Fries, Jenner was handed a giant Jammie Dodger biscuit. Cumming quipped, 'Kylie, have you ever had your gums around a giant Jammie Dodger?' prompting an uncomfortable reaction from the star.
Despite politely accepting the treat with a muted 'Thank you,' Jenner's discomfort was palpable. Social media platform X quickly flooded with reactions, with many viewers labelling the joke as 'cringe' and 'awkward.' This incident marks another chapter in Jenner's challenging awards season experiences, following a year where she was deemed 'the butt of so many jokes' for being a reality star mingling with Hollywood elites.
Viewer Reactions and Past Controversies
Observers noted Jenner's confusion upon receiving the iconic British biscuit, which features two shortcake layers with a raspberry or strawberry jam filling and a distinctive heart-shaped hole. X users commented extensively, with posts ranging from amusement to criticism of the hosting style.
One user wrote, 'The concept of Kylie Jenner discovering a jammie dodger #BAFTAs,' while another questioned, 'Why is he handing Kylie Jenner scampi fries? And why does the venue look like it’s about to host a Year 11 assembly?' The moment highlighted a perceived clash between traditional British culture and international celebrity.
This episode echoes last year's reports that Chalamet and Jenner considered skipping comedian Nikki Glaser's Golden Globes monologue to avoid jokes at Jenner's expense. Glaser had acknowledged that Jenner was 'already the subject of so many jokes,' indicating a pattern of mockery during awards season. However, this year, Jenner managed to avoid direct jokes at the Golden Globes, instead receiving a heartfelt shout-out from Chalamet during his acceptance speech for Best Actor.
BAFTA Winners and Ceremony Highlights
Beyond the awkward moments, the 2026 BAFTAs celebrated significant cinematic achievements. One Battle After Another emerged as the night's big winner, securing six awards including Best Film, Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor for Sean Penn, Cinematography, and Editing. The film had entered the ceremony with a record 14 nominations.
Jessie Buckley won Best Actress for her role in Hamnet, delivering an emotional speech where she thanked her fellow nominees and reflected on her journey in the industry. In a surprising turn, Timothée Chalamet lost the Best Actor award to Robert Aramayo for I Swear, despite being a favourite for his performance in Marty Supreme. Aramayo's father celebrated exuberantly upon hearing the news.
Other notable winners included Wunmi Mosaku for Supporting Actress in Sinners, and Zootropolis 2 for Animated Film. The ceremony awarded 28 gongs in total, with Sinners, Frankenstein, and I Swear each winning three prizes, and Hamnet securing two.
Hosting Criticisms and Cultural Moments
Cumming's hosting style faced mixed reviews, particularly for moments like the Jammie Dodger joke and when he asked Emma Stone if she knew what a Hula Hoop crisp was, to which she replied, 'No but that sounds delightful.' These interactions underscored a theme of British cultural references potentially lost on international attendees.
The biggest disappointment of the evening was Marty Supreme, which entered with 11 nominations but left empty-handed. Meanwhile, One Battle After Another's producer Sarah Murphy dedicated the Best Film award to absent partner Adam Somner, and director Paul Thomas Anderson celebrated a 'great f*****g year' for cinema.
As the awards season progresses, Jenner's experience at the BAFTAs highlights the ongoing tensions between celebrity culture, traditional ceremonies, and the sometimes awkward interplay of humour and hospitality on global stages.
