While discussing their new film A complete stranger with Bulletin boardTimothée Chalamet and Elle Fanning bounced from Bob Dylan's lyrics to Nicki Minaj's legacy, Doechii's rising star and a shared love of Mariah Carey's music.
At the heart of the Dylan biopic A complete stranger, directed by James Mangold, it's the early rise of the singer/songwriter in Greenwich Village between 1961 and 1965 — a time when his words became rallying cries for an anxious generation. For Chalamet, stepping into Dylan's well-worn boots was not a job he took lightly. He learned more than 40 Bob Dylan songs, not just to perform them, but to fully absorb their meaning. “It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life, as an actor, as a person. The metaphor I use… I've been a huge Kid Cudi fan since I was a teenager, right? And this is the music that shaped me in my adult life. Growing up, Bob Dylan shaped my worldview and his music – except at the end of that journey, I embody him.”
It was an unexpected comparison, but one that made perfect sense. For many people who grew up in the era of streaming playlists and viral music moments, Cudi's lyrics became a kind of survival toolbox for navigating emotional turmoil. Dylan, in his day, wasn't so different: He wrote songs that made people feel seen, whether they were protesting or just trying to make sense of their lives.
While Dylan's music served as the basis for his performance, the conversation unfolded seamlessly Bulletin boardThe Top Female Rappers of 2024 List. Nicki Minaj secured the No. 3 and Chalamet's face immediately lit up. “I feel like a LaGuardia grad, like Barb — even if I get grilled saying… maybe I should put Nicki [hand gestures upward] — but I won't argue with that. I don't need to get into those waters.”
LaGuardia's mention, of course, is tied to his roots at the performing arts school known for producing passionate performers. And let's be honest: The image of a young “Timmy Tim” rapping Nicki Minaj's lyrics is almost too good to handle.
But it wasn't just Chalamet who brought the musical references. Fanning held her own in the music discussion as well. Her connection to Dylan predates the film and she shared how she was introduced to his music while working on a film with Cameron Crowe at the age of just 13. “I don't know all of Bob's facts [Dylan]but I was just a fan of his music. I was 13, Cameron Crowe introduced me to his music, I did a movie with him [We Bought a Zoo]and he played his songs all the time.”
There's something inherently cinematic about that moment: a teenage Fanning ushered into Dylan's world by a director synonymous with rock 'n' roll storytelling.
Fanning's musical taste is not limited to classic folk anthems. thrives in the present moment as well. We just mentioned Bulletin boardOn the list of top female rappers of 2024, her excitement was immediate. She didn't even wait to hear the full lineup before confidently declaring Doechii as her top pick (landing at No. 6 on our list). “I got to see her play… I got to really get to know her. She's beautiful, like I'm obsessed with her.”
The conversation then took a final detour: astrology. As a fellow Aries with Fanning, Bulletin boardCat Johnson couldn't resist highlighting some of Aries' most iconic musicians: Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin and Elton John. When asked to pick her favorite Aries legend, Fanning didn't hesitate: “Maria is Mariah, like I love Mariah Carey.”
Aside from Barb's fandom moments and confessions, what stood out most about this conversation was how deeply both Chalamet and Fanning respect the music that shaped their roles. For Chalamet, learning Dylan's songs wasn't just preparation. it was an education. For Fanning, music became both an anchor and a point of entry into the world her character occupies.
This isn't just another musical biopic. A complete stranger it feels like a love letter — to art, to rebellion, to the intangible power of music to move us, change us, and remind us of who we are. Whether you're a Dylan purist, Barb, or someone who just stumbled across Doechii's music on your For You page, this film feels like it could speak directly to you.
Clock Bulletin boardthe Chalamet and Fanning interview above.
