In a recent video for Vogue Germany, Timothée Chalamet made the very bold claim, some may even say the boldest claim, that bagels are superior to croissants. In a Tiktok video posted to the Vogue Germany account, the new face of Chanel men’s fragrance takes sides on several hot France vs. USA debates.
Examples include the Eiffel Tower or Empire State Building (Chalamet goes with the Eiffel Tower). But the real controversy starts when Chalamet is asked to choose between two classic breakfast icons, bagels and croissants. “I’m gonna have to go with a bagel. Bagels are about 95% of this diet right here,” the French and American actor says. While this statement may disappoint Chalamet’s French father, it’s sure to please his mother, a third-generation New Yorker of half Russian Jewish and half Austrian Jewish descent. Given the proximity to Mother’s Day, this seems only appropriate.
In all fairness, the choice between bagels and croissants is incredibly difficult. There are valid arguments on both sides of the doughy debate. It’s hard to beat the buttery elegance of a perfectly flaky croissant, but the satisfying chew of a golden-brown, perfectly toasted bagel slathered in velvety cream cheese is perfection in its own right. However, given that Chalamet was born and raised in New York City, it’s only natural that he proclaims his loyalty to the city’s most classic breakfast item. And if his diet is really 95% bagels, I can see why he would choose them over croissants.
TBH, this bagel-centric diet sounds pretty delicious to me. The doughy breakfast icons are incredibly versatile. Pile them high with thinly sliced smoked salmon, a hint of red onion, and a spritz of lemon for a brunch-worthy delight. Or opt for melted cheese, crispy bacon, and a sunny-side-up egg for a classic breakfast sammy. The possibilities are endless. Additionally, bagels have a longstanding culinary legacy, dating back to 1610 Poland.
However, croissants have an enduring history of their own, originating in 1683 Austria. And the flaky, buttery luxuriousness of a good croissant is truly one of life’s greatest pleasures. Luckily, most of us don’t have to choose. Maybe it’s a myth that the modern woman can have it all, but she can at least have both bagels and croissants in her life. Unfortunately, she probably can’t have Timothée Chalamet deliver them to her. Which she (ahem, me) might want after watching this video.
Whether you’re team bagel or team croissant, the true winners here are Chanel men’s fragrance and bakeries, both of whom are likely to experience a bump in sales from this ad. On an unrelated note, If you need me this weekend I’ll be eating breakfast foods and rewatching Call Me By Your Name.