Is there such a thing as being too confident? Timothée Chalamet doesn’t think so
From Jacob Elordi to Kim Kardashian, radical self-confidence appears to be the new quiet force.Credit: Getty Images
This isn’t even the first time Chalamet has expressed such confidence. He also shared his “quest for greatness” while accepting the SAG Best Actor award last year.
“I want to be one of the greats. I’m inspired by the greats… I’m inspired by Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps, as well as Daniel Day-Lewis, Marlon Brando and Viola Davis. And I want to be there.”
Garrett Huston, psychologist Netlik Health ServicesWhat we’re seeing, he says, is a cultural shift toward being more confident in self-expression, especially among young public figures like Chalamet.
Some possible reasons for this shift include social media and personal branding that rewards rather than restricts visibility and individuality, U.S. cultural influence in the media, and generational rejection of traditional norms.
Confidence vs arrogance
Confidence may be key, but there is a fine line between that and arrogance. Carly Dober, principal psychologist at Enriching Lives Psychology, says self-confidence is believing in your abilities and being willing to face new challenges.
“A confident person accepts that they have room to grow and learn, is open to feedback, and does not view asking for help as a weakness.”
Vanity, meanwhile, is more performance-oriented and often involves an exaggerated sense of self-importance. “Arrogant people have an inflated view of their abilities and achievements. They are impervious to feedback and constructive criticism from others and tend to overreact when someone suggests areas where they can improve.”
Is trust based on gender?
In general yes. Dober says overt confidence is often seen as attractive and desirable in men, but less so in women.
“Confidence is a highly gendered trait, like ‘bossy’ or ‘aggressive,’ and women who step outside of this gender script may be socially punished for it in the job market or in relationships,” she says. “Confidence is an inherently gender-neutral concept, and the paradox is that if women continue to feel like they can’t take up space or that they shouldn’t be confident, then fewer women will show it.”
Tall poppy syndrome
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Absolute confidence can make some feel uncomfortable, especially Australians indoctrinated into the tall poppy syndrome (our cultural preference for humility and egalitarianism). Comparatively, Americans are generally more open to self-promotion.
“Australians generally respond more positively to success around effort, contribution or teamwork than to overt self-congratulation,” says Huston. “Psychologically [tall poppy syndrome] The social norm serves a regulatory function: keeping people on the same level to help maintain justice and harmony.
But this type of modesty also has potential downsides. Huston says this can sometimes inhibit healthy self-belief, self-advocacy, and open acknowledgment of success. Without trust, you’re less likely to start and stick with a task, not to mention your ability to recover if things go wrong.
“To be clear, trust does not eliminate doubt, but it reduces avoidance, allowing you to begin even with uncertainty.”
Dunning-Kruger effect
This is a well-established psychological finding that suggests that people with lower competence are more likely to overestimate their abilities, while more competent people tend to be more cautious.
“In everyday life, this means that the loudest and most confident person is not always the most knowledgeable, and what we experience as arrogance is often misplaced certainty rather than true self-belief,” says Huston.
So this may be another reason why most people tend to stay away from radical self-confidence; ultimately (and ironically) the fear of appearing less than.
Finding the sweet spot
So, is there a way for Chalamet to channel his confidence into achieving goals in 2026 while remaining relatable?
Dober says true self-confidence requires avoiding comparison, seeking positive influences, engaging in positive self-talk, and setting realistic goals.
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“You have to start believing in yourself and trying to talk to yourself as if you were a good friend,” she says. “If you believe in yourself, others will begin to believe in you. Typically, we seek out more opportunities and put ourselves out there when we are more confident, which allows us to achieve more goals. The lesson here is to take your shot.”
Speak with conviction, but maintain curiosity, Huston adds.
“When people feel that trust is performative or defensive rather than earned, they tend to come off as arrogant,” he says. “You can express your opinion without closing the door on others. ‘That’s what I think too. What do you think?’ You can use simple expressions like: “To invite connection and collaboration while also signaling trust.”
It also helps to base trust on values rather than status. Rather than always being “the best,” prove your worth by doing the job well, learning, and contributing.
Timothée Chalamet’s performance in Marty Supreme has been widely praised, but is his radical confidence warranted?Credit: access point
One could argue that Chalamet’s comments hit that sweet spot. She not only describes herself as amazing, but also recognizes the effort she puts into her roles. She also cites other actors, such as Viola Davis, as inspiration, showing that she is willing to grow and learn from those around her. His self-confidence is also arguably warranted. his performance Marty Supreme happened on a large scale was praisedSome say he’s become something “generational talent”. Chalamet is so invested in the role that some even believe his self-aggrandizing comments are just the actor embodying his character during press time.
So, no matter how many people initially face Chalamet-level self-confidence, if you can carefully examine the line between confidence and arrogance and have the skills to back it up, you may find that you shine as brightly as any Hollywood star this year.
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