Hollywood actor Timothée Chalamet has named Susan Boyle among his top five favourite Britons, praising the Scottish singer as one of his all-time greats during a BBC radio interview.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the 29-year-old actor highlighted the former Britain’s Got Talent contestant alongside David and Victoria Beckham and Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton, describing them as figures worthy of special recognition.
Chalamet is currently promoting his upcoming film, Marty Supreme, and has been handing out customised jackets bearing the movie’s title to people he considers exceptional. When asked which British personalities would deserve one of the jackets, the actor singled out Susan Boyle, now 64, recalling her unforgettable rise to fame.
Boyle captured global attention in 2009 when she auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent, surprising both judges and audiences with her powerful performance of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables. She went on to finish second in the competition, launching a hugely successful international music career.
Reflecting on her audition, Chalamet said: “She dreamt big — she dreamt bigger than all of us.” He added: “Who wasn’t moved by that?”
In addition to Boyle, the actor listed Lewis Hamilton, as well as Victoria and David Beckham, as British icons who earned his admiration.
Chalamet also included London underground rapper Fakemink on his list. The rapper has recently collaborated with anonymous Liverpool drill artist EsDeeKid, whose concealed identity has fuelled online speculation. Social media users have suggested Chalamet himself could be EsDeeKid after a photograph of the masked performer led to comparisons between their eyes.
When questioned about the rumours during an appearance on BBC Radio 1 Breakfast, Chalamet refused to confirm or deny the claims. Asked directly by presenter Greg James whether he was EsDeeKid, the actor replied: “No comment.” He added cryptically: “All will be revealed in due time.”
During his radio appearances, Chalamet also discussed Marty Supreme, describing the sports drama as unconventional and experimental. “This movie takes on an untraditional structure — if there’s any structure at all,” he said. “It’s about being an idiot in your 20s.”
The film follows Marty Mauser, played by Chalamet, as he pursues his unlikely dream of becoming a table tennis champion.
Chalamet first rose to prominence with his breakthrough role in Call Me By Your Name (2017) and has since starred in Little Women, The King, Wonka, and the Dune franchise. Earlier this year, he won Best Leading Actor at the SAG Awards for portraying Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown.
Marty Supreme is set for release on Christmas Day.
