'Inconsiderate' Timothée Chalamet Faces Backlash for 'Manspreading' Next to 'Visibly Uneasy' Tina Fey

After Timothée Chalamet attended the Knicks vs. Atlanta Hawks playoff game at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, April 28, the actor went viral for all the wrong reasons.

Netizens called out the Oscar nominee for "manspreading" as he sat beside Tina Fey.

Fey arrived wearing a cream blazer layered over a white top, paired with dark cropped trousers. She also added black-framed glasses to complete her look.

Meanwhile, Chalamet appeared in layered streetwear, donning a black leather jacket over a hoodie, loose black trousers, chunky boots and a New York Knicks cap.

As images from the game went viral on social media, netizens were quick to react and call out Chalamet’s sitting posture.

Accusing him of “manspreading” as Fey sat with her knees close together, social media users slammed the Marty Supreme actor.

“Timothée Chalamet, if you don't stop manspreading on Tina Fey, oh my G*d,” one user wrote on X.

Another added, “The absolute audacity of Timothée Chalamet to manspread on Tina Fey. Poor Tina looks uncomfortable.”

In addition, Chalamet’s look also became part of the discussion, as the actor attracted criticism over his mustache.

One user stated, “Lookin' like Michael Cera with that crustache.” Another wrote, “He’s gotta make room for his 3 drinks.”

Meanwhile, some reactions were more direct, as an individual commented, “Give my girl some space, Timmy... Bro sitting like he owns the whole row,” while another quipped, “He’s such an inconsiderate tool.”

As the debate continued online, some users wondered if Chalamet was truly manspreading, or the backlash was fueled by lingering reactions to his previous crude comments on ballet and theater.

Body language expert Inbaal Honigman weighed in on the viral moment.

Speaking on behalf of Casino.ca, Honigman said, Fey appeared “visibly uneasy” sitting next to the Dune star.

“Chalamet’s manspreading next to a visibly uncomfortable Fey reads as an expression of dominance. It suggests a sense of perceived superiority, as though he is important enough not to consider whether his posture is encroaching on others’ space,” the expert said.

Honigman stated how the actress’ “face suggests she would rather be elsewhere.”

In addition, the expert noted, “Her body language reinforces this impression. Fey’s hands are clasped together, palms joined and tucked between her knees, as she appears to shrink herself to fit the situation.”

“She narrows her posture to accommodate those around her, seemingly making space for the men and their presence. Her frame tightens, indicating a desire to avoid contact, even at the expense of her own comfort. By contrast, Chalamet appears unconcerned with physical proximity,” Honigman added.

However, Honigman also noted that Chalamet wasn't the only one manspreading because, “On Fey’s other side, her former 30 Rock costar Tracy Morgan also sits with his knees spread wide.”

The expert further said, “Similarly, on [Chalamet’s girlfriend Kylie] Jenner’s other side, Ben Stiller sits with his wife, also taking up a notable amount of space.”