How to Hard Launch: Taking Tips from Timothee Chalamet and Kylie Jenner
America has mourned the chance to ever be with actor Timothee Chalamet as his relationship with Kylie Jenner has been made official due to photos and video footage surfacing of the pair together at a Beyoncé concert. The hard launch that some had expected but many were in denial about has officially come to fruition. For the past few months, the media and individuals keeping up with popular culture have been skeptical about the relationship between Chalamet and Jenner prior to the recent photo confirmation. The only “proof” at the time was comments from the celebrities’ PR teams explaining that the two were together romantically and a few occasions where both of their vehicles were seen together. Despite the early skepticism, the photos of the celebrity couple at the Beyoncé concert still managed to cause a shock to many as Chalamet is seen kissing Jenner and holding her in his arms.
Image Courtesy: TMZ
When someone soft launches a relationship they are keeping elements of their relationship private but not quite a secret. An example of this would be posting an Instagram story of their partner’s hand, but nothing else, leaving a trail of breadcrumbs. The image teases that they’re romantically involved with someone, but there is no solid confirmation or face reveal. Other images that would be considered a soft launch are a flirty text screenshot or any photo that doesn’t include their partner’s face or confirm an identity. Soft launching keeps people guessing and wanting more content, but also lets people know that the person posting isn’t quite as single as they had been before.
When someone hard launches a relationship, the face reveal is the key factor. The speculation that comes with a soft launch transforms into confirmation as the identity of someone’s mystery partner is unveiled. In Chalamet and Jenner’s case, the rumors were the soft launch, but because they were rumors, the public was in an I’ll-believe-it-when-I-see-it phase.
Because of Chalamet and Jenner’s status, the pair going to the Beyoncé concert together meant inevitable attention from fans and paparazzi. This is a strategic move on their end to announce to the public that they are together without declaring it through a post on their social media.
Image Courtesy: TMZ
When observing the photos and video footage that surfaced, all the hard launch factors are evident (minus the direct social media approach). This includes physical touch, the couple kissing and holding one another, accompanied by the fact that they are out in the public eye revealing their faces versus in hiding.
In the footage and photos from the concert, both Chalamet and Jenner seem unbothered and indifferent towards the publicity as a camera catches them both enjoying one another’s company. The couple’s newly announced relationship reminds us that even as we mastermind a soft launch or are ready to drop the bomb of a hard launch with our partner, the most important thing is realizing that you have a person in your life who makes you so full of joy that you need to share your love with the world — whether that consists of dropping hints or screaming it from a mountaintop named TikTok, Twitter, Instagram (or TMZ in Chalamet and Jenner’s case).
Strike Out,
Writer: Lindsey Limbach
Editor: Blake N. Fiadino
Tallahassee