Heartbreaking reason Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner left the Oscars when his ex took to the stage

He was prepared for what could have been the biggest night of his career so far and a history-making one at that had he been crowned lead actor at this year’s Oscars.

But despite the fanfare surrounding his barnstorming turn as Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, Timothee Chalamet’s focus was on his girlfriend Kylie Jenner.

The reality TV star, 27, quietly joined the actor on the front row inside the Dolby Theatre on Sunday night after allowing him his moment in the spotlight on the red carpet.

The loved-up couple, who have been dating since 2023, were inseparable as they sat hand-in-hand, stealing affectionate glances and kisses as the ceremony played out around them.

But during a commercial break ahead of the award for Best Costume Design, Chalamet – dressed in a hard-to-miss yellow suit – was caught on camera leading Jenner out of the auditorium.

Minutes later, when his ex-girlfriend Lily-Rose Depp took to the stage to help present the award alongside Chalamet’s costar Elle Fanning, the A-list couple was nowhere to be seen.

Now, insiders have told DailyMail.com that he whisked her away to avoid any ‘drama’ when Jenner is so ‘fragile’ following the death of her beloved hairstylist and friend, Jesús Guerrero.

‘Kylie struggles with insecurity issues, and she can feel out of place at these events,’ the insider said. ‘She is aware of some of the criticism levelled at her and how some people believe she shouldn’t be at these ceremonies. She likes to void any drama.

‘Plus, she is in a very fragile state right now. Jesus’ death has shaken her. He was not only her hair stylist but her best friend. She is really, really crushed by this and Timothée is doing everything that he can to be there for her and show her the love she needs right now.’

A video was posted on a Chalamet fan account on TikTok and shared by eagle-eyed viewers who questioned where they had gone.

And when Wicked’s Paul Tazewell made his way up to the stage to collect the golden statuette for Best Costume Design, Chalamet’s seat looked empty.

‘They are both aware that had they stayed seated, everyone would have been talking about their reaction to Lily-Rose on stage,’ the source continued.

‘It would have caused unnecessary drama. Timothée did everything he could to keep her happy and to protect her.’

Guerrero tragically passed away, aged 34, on February 22, with his death described as 'very sudden and unexpected.'

Jenner broke her silence on Instagram on Tuesday as she paid tribute. 

'Jesus was more than my friend - he was a light in my life, a source of laughter, comfort, love, and unwavering support,' she wrote.

'I don’t know how I would have made it through the last almost decade without him by my side. He had a way of making even the heaviest days feel lighter.

'Thank you, Jesus, for always being there for me, for lifting me up, for being my friend.'

She spent much of last Sunday comforting members of Guerrero's family, which is why Chalamet took his mother Nicole Flender to the SAG Awards where he won the best actor trophy for A Complete Unknown.

Fans were quick to spot their apparent absence during Depp's turn on stage, with one person on Reddit writing: ‘Also talk about Timothée and Kylie not being in their seats when Lily had to give her speech was insane.’

Another added: ‘Timmy, what the heck!?!?!? I thought you and Lily are "good friends" and in "good terms"???'

But some appeared to defend the couple, with one writing: ‘I mean that’s kind of smart. They are avoiding the camera cutting to them when she’s on stage.’

Depp famously dated lead actor nominee Chalamet for around two years after they played love interests in David Michôd's 2019 historical epic The King.

Their short-lived relationship was relatively private, and fans only found out they had split when Chalamet described himself as 'currently single' in 2020.

The Nosferatu actress, whose father is Johnny Depp, has been dating rapper-singer 070 Shake aka Danielle Balbuena since 2023.

At one moment, Depp was pictured standing in front of a giant illustration of her ex as fellow presenter Fanning paid tribute to Arianne Phillips, who designed the costumes for A Complete Unknown.

Predictably, the moment did not go unnoticed by viewers who reacted to the awkward moment, branding it 'messy'.

Jenner and Chalamet, who have been dating since 2023, went on to party at the Vanity Fair bash where they were joined by her sisters Kendall Jenner and Kim Kardashian. 

A separate insider said Jenner felt more relaxed at the bash, having tried to not give away any emotions during the ceremony.

'She was texting and being her normal self and they both were having fun mingling and chatting,' they said.