Pauline Chalamet, the older sister of Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet, has once again stirred up controversy with what many see as a subtle dig at his girlfriend, billionaire beauty mogul Kylie Jenner. The 33-year-old actress, known for her role in The Sex Lives of College Girls, took to Instagram to criticize the extreme wealth disparity in the United States, a move that has fueled speculation that she was indirectly calling out Jenner’s immense fortune.
This isn’t the first time Pauline has made remarks that appeared to target Kylie. Previously, she seemed to shade the makeup mogul for her frequent use of private jets, a habit that has landed Kylie in hot water with environmental activists.
Now, her latest comments on social inequality have reignited talk of an underlying tension between her and her brother’s high-profile girlfriend.
Pauline shared a New York Times article by journalist Nicholas Kristof, which discussed America’s budget priorities and the lack of foreign aid funding. While promoting the piece, she wrote a lengthy Instagram story about the country's financial inequalities.
“New York Times, liberal bias, yes yes yes I get it. But this one by @nickkristof is worth the read. It’s about empathy and humanity,” she began, addressing common criticisms of the publication while emphasizing the importance of the topic.
She then delved into a list of major issues in the U.S., calling out the nation’s “embarrassing” maternal mortality rate, reckless energy consumption, and food habits. However, her most striking comment came when she wrote:
“Our INSANE wealth disparity is sick, the list literally goes ON and ON.”
While her words were general, many couldn’t help but notice how relevant they were to the lavish lifestyle of Kylie Jenner. With an estimated net worth of $700 million, Kylie is one of the wealthiest young entrepreneurs in the world.
She was initially declared the youngest self-made billionaire by Forbes in 2019, but that status was later revised when reports surfaced that her actual worth had been overstated.
Pauline’s frustration with the distribution of wealth in America continued, as she pointed out that only a small fraction of the nation’s money goes toward helping those in need.
“BUT just take a second and think about the fact that LESS THAN 1% of all of our money goes to humanitarian aid,” she wrote. “That money is insignificant in fixing any of the larger problems that plague the United States. And yet so significant to the lives of millions of individuals across this shared home we call Earth.”
Though she didn’t explicitly call out Kylie, the implications were hard to ignore. Coming from someone whose brother is currently dating one of the richest young women in the world, the post felt particularly pointed.
This isn’t the first time Pauline has made remarks that could be interpreted as shade toward Kylie. In a previous instance, she joined in on the public criticism of excessive private jet usage.
Kylie has been called out multiple times for taking extremely short flights, including one that lasted only 12 minutes.
Pauline’s concerns about wealth disparity and environmental responsibility seem to be at odds with Kylie’s public persona, which is built on luxury, excess, and high-end consumerism. From her massive mansion portfolio to her designer-filled wardrobe and fleet of expensive cars, Kylie’s lifestyle is emblematic of the wealth gap Pauline appears to be criticizing.
Timothée, on the other hand, has largely stayed out of the conversation. Known for his artistic and more grounded approach to fame, the Dune actor has never been one to flaunt material wealth in the same way as the Kardashian-Jenner family.
His relationship with Kylie has already surprised many fans who see them as an unusual pairing, and Pauline’s comments only add more intrigue to the dynamic.
While Kylie is undoubtedly wealthy, she isn’t even the richest member of her famous family. That title belongs to her older sister, Kim Kardashian, who boasts a staggering net worth of $1.7 billion, largely thanks to her shapewear brand SKIMS and other business ventures.
Their mother, Kris Jenner, who famously manages all of her children’s careers, is also worth an estimated $200 million.
The family’s fortune has long been a topic of both admiration and criticism. While some view them as savvy businesswomen who have turned their fame into billion-dollar empires, others see them as the embodiment of excessive wealth and privilege, often drawing attention to their extravagant spending habits.
So far, Kylie has remained silent on Pauline’s remarks, but given the Kardashian-Jenner family’s history, it wouldn’t be surprising if a subtle clapback were on the way. The family is known for addressing drama, whether through social media or in their reality series The Kardashians, where they often control the narrative.
Pauline, on the other hand, may not feel the need to elaborate further. As an actress with a growing career of her own, she has little to gain from engaging in a public feud.
However, if her past posts are anything to go by, this may not be the last time she subtly calls out the extreme wealth in Hollywood—whether intentionally directed at Kylie or not.
For now, the speculation continues. Is Pauline simply voicing her concerns about economic inequality, or is she sending a clear message about how she feels regarding her brother’s billionaire girlfriend?
Either way, her words have struck a chord, and the internet is watching closely to see if this silent tension ever turns into something more.