Leonardo DiCaprio is famous for being Hollywood’s most private movie star. He rarely shows his personal side in public. At the 2026 Golden Globes, a camera caught him during a commercial break. He was talking excitedly, making big hand gestures, and laughing. The silent clip spread quickly online, becoming one of the first major memes of the new year. Everyone had the same question: who was he talking to, and what was so funny about “the K-pop thing”?
Solving the Mystery of the Viral Clip
The internet tried to read DiCaprio’s lips. The popular guess was he said, “I was watching you with the K-pop thing, you were like, ‘Who’s that, is that, oh, K-pop’” . It seemed clear he was talking about K-pop. The animated Netflix movie KPop Demon Hunters was a big winner that night, taking home awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for its track Golden.
The search for his conversation partner first pointed to his co-star. In an interview, actress Teyana Taylor confidently stated, “He was talking to me!”. She had just won her first Golden Globe for her supporting role in their film, One Battle After Another. She explained that her daughters love KPop Demon Hunters, and she was dancing when its song won. She thought DiCaprio noticed her and struck up a conversation about it.
However, the story changed a few days later. Taylor appeared on The Tonight Show and admitted she had to call DiCaprio for the truth after seeing the full clip.
“I had to call Leo,” Taylor said. “I was like, ‘You can’t be talking to me, were you talking to me?’… So apparently he had two ‘KPop Demon Hunter’ conversations that night, so KPop Demon Hunters was just in his mouth all night.”
Taylor revealed that even DiCaprio could not remember exactly who he was speaking to in that specific moment. The mystery person remains unknown.
Leonardo DiCaprio was not talking to Teyana Taylor at the Golden Globes pic.twitter.com/4FHKb8dr1k
— obj (@obj0x0) January 15, 2026
Why the Moment Captured Everyone’s Attention
The clip went viral because it showed a side of Leonardo DiCaprio the public almost never sees. Host Nikki Glaser highlighted his secretive nature in her opening monologue. She joked that his habit of dating younger women was one of the only personal things people know about him.
“Leo, I’m sorry I made that joke. It’s cheap,” Glaser said during the show. “You know what, I tried not to, but… we don’t know anything else about you, man. Like, there’s nothing else.”
DiCaprio himself has explained his approach to fame. In a recent interview with Time magazine, he said, “I think my simple philosophy is only get out there and do something when you have something to say, or you have something to show for it. Otherwise, just disappear as much as you possibly can.” This philosophy made his unguarded, playful moment at the Globes a genuine surprise. Fans on TikTok commented that he “created a hundred memes in 30 seconds” and showed a completely different private vibe.
A Big Night for DiCaprio and His Film
The viral moment happened on a significant night for DiCaprio’s career. He was nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for One Battle After Another, though he lost to Timothée Chalamet. His film, however, was the big winner in the comedy category. One Battle After Another won the award for Best Picture – Comedy or Musical. The film’s director, Paul Thomas Anderson, also won for Best Director and Best Screenplay.
DiCaprio walked the red carpet in a classic black and white tuxedo by Dior and shoes by Manolo Blahnik. He also showed his dedication as a new Rolex ambassador. Reports noted he made sure to pose so his limited-edition Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch was visible on the carpet.
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The KPop Demon Hunters Connection
The topic of DiCaprio’s animated chat was undoubtedly the movie KPop Demon Hunters. The film’s catchy song Golden won the award for Best Original Song. Its victory was a highlight of the night for many, including Teyana Taylor, who was seen “jamming” to it. The film’s success and fun theme likely sparked multiple conversations at the star-studded tables, placing it at the center of DiCaprio’s now-famous exchange.
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