Timothee Chalamet’s Light-Hearted Comment on Auto-Tune Use in “Wonka”
At the London premiere of ‘Wonka’ on November 28, amidst an enchanting setup of cotton candy clouds and chocolate-themed props, Timothee Chalamet humorously mentioned his reliance on Auto-Tune for the film’s musical scenes. The 27-year-old actor, leading in Paul King’s prequel to Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’ revealed this in a playful tone during an interaction with Extra, stating, “I tried. It’s a lot of Auto-Tune. … No, I’m kidding.”
Chalamet’s involvement in the performing arts, influenced by his family background, didn’t make the movie’s choreography any less challenging. “My mom is a dance teacher and my grandmother was a dancer, my sister’s a dancer, so I was always sort of around it,” he explained. “But there’s a big difference between being around it and having to do it.”
Despite these challenges, Chalamet embraced his musical role with enthusiasm, recalling the experience as greatly educational and enjoyable. His portrayal as Willy Wonka, while modest about his singing capabilities, garnered praise from director King, who compared his voice to the legendary Bing Crosby in a conversation with Total Film Magazine.
Chalamet is also preparing for another musically inclined role, playing Bob Dylan in James Mangold’s upcoming biopic, ‘Going Electric.’ He worked with vocal coach Eric Vetro, who also collaborated with Austin Butler for the 2022 movie ‘Elvis,’ to prepare for both ‘Wonka’ and the Dylan film. Vetro, speaking to GQ for Chalamet’s November 2023 cover story, highlighted Chalamet’s playful yet serious approach to his roles, especially in capturing the essence of Bob Dylan.
‘Wonka,’ which also stars Sally Hawkins, Olivia Colman, Rowan Atkinson, and Hugh Grant, is set to be released on December 15. Throughout the film’s international press tour, Chalamet has caught attention with his vibrant, Wonka-inspired fashion choices, from a lavender Prada blazer in Tokyo to a pinstripe Alexander McQueen suit in London.
