At the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards, Timothée Chalamet declared that he was “really in pursuit of greatness,” insinuating that he believed he could be considered “one of the greats” in acting. That comment sparked an explosion on social media platforms such as TikTok, with many viewing the remark as arrogant. Chalamet’s speech only gained the traction it did because it was unusual that someone widely viewed as talented and popular would admit to being such. In reality, it isn’t what he said that is so shocking, but rather that he said it. I believe the backlash about Chalemet’s speech proves that modesty has gotten out of hand. A celebrity being honest about their talents should not make someone feel threatened.
Overconfidence is widely considered one of the worst qualities one can possess. The Greeks told the story of Icarus, Shakespeare of Macbeth and almost every modern antagonist is portrayed as overconfident. However, there is a difference between overconfidence and honest self-respect.
A study by a series of doctors published in The Mayo Clinic found that humility can lead to a phenomenon called imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome happens when someone feels like a fraud despite evidence of their accomplishments, often due to downplaying their achievements to avoid seeming arrogant. This psychological barrier can lead to decreased confidence, self-doubt and anxiety, undermining a person’s potential. When humility turns into self-deprecation, it doesn’t foster growth or improvement, but discourages ambition and perpetuates insecurity.
The issue of excessive humility is especially prevalent among high school students. According to a March Bark Survey, 87 percent of students downplay their achievements to some extent, with 39 percent doing so often or all the time. This tendency can be particularly harmful during high school when students form their identities and prepare for their futures. By downplaying their success, students risk undermining their self-confidence and limiting their ability to take pride in their hard work. Research also supports the idea that embracing self-confidence can lead to better outcomes. A 2023 study from the American Psychological Association found that students who acknowledge their strengths are more likely to pursue leadership roles and achieve their long-term goals. The study revealed that 68 percent of students who reported feeling confident about their abilities took on challenging projects, while only 32 percent of those who struggled with self-doubt did the same. This demonstrates that self-recognition isn’t just about feeling good. Rather, it’s directly linked to taking action and having more success.
Being too prideful, however, is often very damaging, as it can isolate one from others and make you seem entitled. It is smart to know when to take pride and when to have humility, such as after a test that others may not have been as successful as you on.
It’s time we individually celebrate our accomplishments and aspirations more, as we can be more successful if we do. Next time someone like Chalemet gets up to voice their pride, we shouldn’t expect him to be modest for us to feel about ourselves. Instead, we should recognize his accomplishments and feel inspired ourselves.
