"Thank you BasedGod"— Timothée Chalamet says he was struggling with his acting career before Lil B knighted him

During an interview with Narduwar, per a Rolling Stone article published on Thursday, December 26, 2024, Timothée Chalamet credited being knighted by Lil B for his successful acting career. Chalamet said that he owed his success to an onstage moment with Lil B during his college days.

Admittedly a hip-hop fan, the Complete Unknown actor shared that Lil B was a "hugely formative artist" in his life. He recalled the story of meeting Lil B at a public Q&A with Narduwar, saying that he bribed someone for the ticket using the $50 he earned from the commercial and being on the front row for the event.

"I raised my hand, got called on by him, I told him I was gonna ask out my crush. He invited me onstage and he knighted me. He said, 'That boy's hand has been blessed.' And from there, my acting career took off. Thank you BasedGod," he said.

Timothée Chalamet admitted that he was struggling in his career before that onstage moment with the rapper. But everything changed shortly after as he had just done Royal Pains, and the Oscar nomination followed before he even turned 22. He reiterated how being knighted by the rapper changed his fate.

"Shout out Lil B, nothing is possible without Lil B," the actor added.

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Timothée Chalamet had previously credited Lil B for the "transformative effect" the rapper brought on him

Timothée Chalamet's interview with Narduwar wasn't the first time that he credited Lil B for the rise in his acting career. In November 2017, he admitted in a Vulture article that while some people might roll their eyes at Lil B, the rapper had a profound effect on his teenage self.

"He really had a transformative effect on me when I was 15 and 16, preaching about live and let live, loving and accepting people for who they are," he added.

He also narrated the same story of how Lil B beckoned him onstage and knighted him. Recalling the event, Timothée Chalamet said that the rapper had him drop down on one knee and brought his forehead to his own. He further quipped that there should be a video of the whole knighting moment online and that he was recognizable in it.

In the video, which circulated on social media, Lil B can be seen knighting Chalamet onstage.

"Absolute success, man. I stand by that, man. That's my brother right there. His hand is gold," Lil B supposedly said after knighting the actor.

Speaking of other artists and musicians who inspired the Dune actor, he also spoke to Vulture in 2017 about Kid Cudi. He credited the artist for helping him delve deeper into his emotional acting.

"I've been inspired to do emotionally substantial work like Call Me by Your Name because of an album like Man on the Moon," the actor shared.

During the 2018 interview he did with Harry Styles for i-D Magazine, Chalamet shared how "really impactful" Lil B had been to him. While talking to Narduwar, he added that another hip-hop artist, Tyler, the Creator, told him he could "sense [his] aura" based on his encounter with Lil B.

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Timothée Chalamet has worked in several movies, including Lady Bird, Wonka, the Dune movies, and Call Me By Your Name, which earned him an Oscar nod. His latest film, A Complete Unknown, where he plays Bob Dylan was released on December 25, 2024.