express gazette logo
The Express Gazette
Monday, December 29, 2025

Timothée Chalamet and EsDeeKid quash alter-ego rumours with new video collaboration

The Oscar-nominated actor appears in a remix video with EsDeeKid, addressing persistent theories of a double life as a masked rapper.


Timothée Chalamet has publicly quashed rumours that he leads a double life as the masked rapper EsDeeKid by performing with the artist in a new video. The collaboration, a remix of EsDeeKid's top 40 hit 4Raws, arrived as speculation swirled that the Oscar-nominated actor might be living a secret hip-hop persona. In the clip, Chalamet begins with only his eyes visible, then pulls down the bandana to join EsDeeKid on the mic, rapping lines such as, "It's Timothée Chalamet chillin', tryin' to stack $100 million." He also references his partner Kylie Jenner with the line, "Girl got $1 billion."

The video was filmed at Andover Minimarket Off Licence in north London and reposted by EsDeeKid. The collaboration arrived as speculation had circulated for weeks, with fans debating whether the two figures could be one and the same and whether Chalamet could mimic EsDeeKid's Liverpudlian accent. EsDeeKid's own rise to the UK top 10 provided additional fodder for chatter as Chalamet promoted his film. BBC coverage of the link intensified the moment, underscoring how the two personalities had become a talking point across entertainment and music circles.

During an interview with BBC Radio 1, Greg James pressed Chalamet on the EsDeeKid connection. The actor offered a brief reply, saying, "All will be revealed in due time." James later posted that "all was revealed" in his caption, signaling a moment of closure for the speculation in some corner of the online conversation.

Chalamet's appearance in the video also included nods to his upcoming project, Marty Supreme, with several shout-outs that observers described as part of a savvy cross-promotion strategy for the film. The actor's collaboration with EsDeeKid fits into a broader marketing approach that has kept the project in public discussion as the release window approached, while also capitalizing on the viral appeal of the unlikely duo.

Reaction from peers quickly followed the clip as it circulated on social media. Central Cee commented with a simple "Naaa" accompanied by crying and laughing emojis, while Tinie Tempah wrote, "Hahha this is sickkk." US rapper Shaboozey added, "This going #1." The responses underscored how the video crossed cultural lines—blending film promotion with a moment of playful, public collaboration between a young, acclaimed actor and a rising hip-hop artist.

The episode emerges as part of a broader conversation about identity and artistry in celebrity culture. Chalamet, who reportedly adopted the hip-hop moniker Lil Timmy Tim during high school, has previously teased musical interests but largely kept his artistic life separate from his acting career. The new video, however, blends those worlds in a way that appears designed to entertain fans and critics alike while subtly reinforcing buzz around his film.

As the video circulated, fans noted the performance dynamics and the visual reveal—starting with eyes-only, then the bandana coming down to reveal the performer behind the mask—as a deliberate nod to the alter-ego rumours that had persisted for weeks. By pairing with EsDeeKid on a remix of a charting track and placing references to his personal life and business success within the lyrics, Chalamet crafted a moment that felt both playful and purposeful rather than evasive.

The collaboration also highlights the power of short-form video as a storytelling tool in entertainment. In a space where rumours often outpace official statements, a music video can serve as a clarifying act, allowing a high-profile star to address fan speculation directly while still delivering entertainment value. Whether this quiet denouement will dissuade every voice in the audience from speculating remains to be seen, but the actor's public act of partnering with EsDeeKid offers a clear signal: the rumours have been acknowledged and addressed in a creative, non-confrontational manner. The film is still in focus for Chalamet and his team, and the collaboration is now a talking point that sits alongside festival chatter, critic reviews, and audience anticipation for Marty Supreme.


Sources