Should We Be Concerned About Club Chalamet?

In 2026, fandom is no longer a niche corner of the internet. Maybe it never was. Athletes, pop stars, politicians, and even the most niche influencers all command devoted online followings. So it’s hardly shocking that one of the most recognizable actors of his generation, Timothée Chalamet, has attracted a particularly dedicated fan base. But is there a point where fandom crosses from passionate to unsettling? And how much of a role, if any, does age play in where we place that line?

At the center of the conversation is Simone Cromer, better known online as “Club Chalamet,” a 58-year-old superfan whose social media presence revolves almost entirely around Chalamet. Cromer runs an X account and Substack dedicated to tracking his career, attending premieres, and posting frequent commentary. Her visibility surged again this week following the Palm Springs International Film Festival, where Chalamet appeared alongside longtime girlfriend Kylie Jenner.

At some point in the night, Club Chalamet tweeted about hugging the actor and wishing him a happy birthday. The interaction was caught on camera by TMZ, but left many people unsettled. In the clip, Cromer technically does hug Timmy, even though it’s from behind, and no one can really tell if he welcomes the interaction.

Later, on X, someone trolled Cromer by asking whether she “said hi” to Jenner. Cromer said she was mere feet away from Kylie and that there were “no problems,” a remark that only fueled further scrutiny, given her well-documented disdain for Jenner. In the past, Cromer has openly blamed Jenner for Chalamet’s award drought, saying that since he started dating her, he’s been taken less serious as an actor.

Ok, so I gave Timothée a hug and said Happy Birthday here at the Palm Springs film festival gala. I told Brian that this is Timothée’s year, and he said he hopes so. 🤗
— Club Chalamet 💫 (@ClubChalamet) January 4, 2026

Cromer’s online presence has fascinated and worried people for years. She has followed Chalamet across the country, attended numerous premieres, and even gifted him a bracelet he’s been photographed wearing, evidence that he knows who she is. A Wall Street Journal profile last year brought her wider attention, though Cromer later expressed frustration with how she was portrayed. Known for blocking critics quickly and forcefully, she’s never shied away from defending herself.

Much of the backlash hinges on the realization of her age. Because she’s 58, people have increasingly framed Cromer as a troubling figure, likening her to Yolanda Saldívar, the woman who killed Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla in the ’90s.

While some say fandom has age limits, others argue that couldn’t be further from the truth. As one TikTok creator explained, before TikTok and X, fan forums were often run by adults in their 30s and 40s, because these people had the money and time to maintain websites, organize communities, and attend events. What’s changed in 2026 is simply visibility.

holy sht A GHOST IN THE BACK https://t.co/pzqFqJeiNE pic.twitter.com/dvVFodP14S
— jess (@des179854) January 4, 2026

That doesn’t mean concerns are unfounded. Even some longtime fans draw lines.

“There is no age limit to fandom,” one commenter wrote. “The issues here are parasocial relationships that cross huge boundaries.”

“I was a teen stan, now in my 30s,” another added. “From what I observed, people who stayed extreme stans as they aged did so because they were missing something in another part of their life.”

Others pushed back against what they see as thinly veiled ageism.

“Your interests grow with you over time,” one person noted. “People who hate on older fans are going to be shocked when they get older and still love the same things.”

Still, critics argue that Cromer’s behavior is about notoriety.

“I don’t think she’s attracted to that actor,” one commenter said. “I think she was obsessed, and then that was fed by the fact that she realized she could profit from it. It feels like plain exploitation to me.”

There’s obviously no hard age limit on loving a celebrity, but one can’t be surprised that when their fandom moves toward the extreme end of the spectrum, questions will follow.

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