Leonardo DiCaprio: Flop projects, numerous love affairs, and why he became Artist of the Year?

Time magazine attributed DiCaprio 's Artist of the Year award to his impressive performance in " One Battle After Another ." Despite not appearing frequently on screen, DiCaprio still created a sensation, exciting fans.

Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio , born in 1974 in Los Angeles, is one of the rare faces in world cinema who has maintained his iconic status after more than three decades in the industry. Beginning with television commercials in the late 1980s and making his mark with recurring roles in the 1990s, DiCaprio gradually became a leading actor with a style of acting that was rich in historical and biographical elements. He has won an Oscar, three Golden Globes, and grossed over $7.2 billion worldwide as of 2019.

The new film is a financial loss, but the acting is still receiving rave reviews.

Here, the actor plays Bob Ferguson , a former revolutionary living in obsessive despair after a period of drug use, who chooses to live in isolation with his daughter Willa. A crisis arises when Willa disappears, forcing Bob to seek out his former comrades to track down clues and confront a dangerous enemy – Colonel Steven J. Lockjaw, played by Sean Penn.

Despite boasting a star-studded cast and receiving praise for its depth of content, the film only grossed just over $200 million worldwide, a figure considered low, even failing to break even. However, it became the highest-grossing film of director Paul Thomas Anderson, known for his distinctive artistic style but never a box office king. Many critics attribute the low box office success to the film's choice of political themes, ideals, and factional conflict, which are not easily appealing to mainstream audiences in a context where viewing habits are changing.

However, on the awards front, One Battle After Another kicked off with great confidence. The film was honored by the National Film Critics Council in five major categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Breakthrough Performance. DiCaprio also received the Desert Palm Achievement Award at the Palm Springs Film Festival and was nominated for Best Actor at the 2026 Golden Globes, leading with nine nominations. Experts believe DiCaprio's chances of being nominated for the 2026 Oscars are almost certain.

Box office appeal may have declined, but influence has never diminished.

Experts point out that DiCaprio's box office appeal is no longer as strong as it was during the eras of Titanic, Inception , or The Revenant . Before One Battle After Another, Killers of the Flower Moon only grossed $158 million, significantly less than its $200 million production cost.

According to box office expert Shawn Robbins, in the post-pandemic era, "big stars" are no longer the guarantee of commercial success they once were, as audiences are gradually changing their entertainment habits and are less likely to choose films based on the actors' fame. Interestingly, DiCaprio isn't overly focused on profit. He always prioritizes scripts with depth and wants to collaborate with directors who have strong professional personalities.

Sharing his reasons for taking on the One Battle After Another project, DiCaprio said he wanted to find completely new stories, not based on existing history, not featuring familiar characters, not exploiting fantasy elements, but focusing on people and their internal conflicts. The fact that the studio dared to "take a gamble" on such a challenging script made him even more eager to participate.

Choosing to live a private life and a philosophy of appearing with a purpose.

In an interview with Time, DiCaprio candidly stated that he chooses a private lifestyle, limiting his public appearances unless absolutely necessary. "I only appear when I have something to say or something to prove. Otherwise, I stay away from the crowds as much as possible," he shared.

When discussing artificial intelligence in filmmaking, DiCaprio argued that AI could make filmmaking more accessible to young people, but it cannot create true art due to a lack of humanistic elements.

A discreet relationship with a girlfriend 24 years younger.

For the past year, DiCaprio has been largely absent from many major entertainment industry events to spend time with his girlfriend – 90s model Vittoria Ceretti. The two went public with their relationship in May 2023 and were previously seen together at the Cannes Film Festival.

Sources close to the couple say DiCaprio cherishes this relationship. For nearly two years, the pair have been together on many trips and personal projects. Despite frequent rumors, they always skillfully avoid directly addressing them. Vittoria Ceretti was previously married to DJ Matteo Milleri in 2020 and they separated in June 2023. As for DiCaprio, he is known for his numerous celebrity girlfriends but always maintains a principle of protecting his privacy.

A star through three decades and a journey of keeping the artistic flame alive.

Amidst the ever-changing landscape of cinema, DiCaprio is a prime example of an actor who doesn't chase trends or try to boost his fame with flashy projects. He rose to prominence through small roles before shining in a series of major works such as "Catch Me If You Can," "Gangs of New York," "The Aviator," "Inception," "The Great Gatsby," "The Wolf of Wall Street," and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." In 2016, he took to the Oscar stage with his first golden statuette for his portrayal of Hugh Glass in "The Revenant," a performance considered by critics to be one of the most powerful of the decade.

Despite the box office fluctuations and the dramatic changes in the film market over the years, Leonardo DiCaprio's name remains firmly established as an irreplaceable icon. Not through frequent appearances or chasing fleeting media hype, DiCaprio maintains his position because of his rare dedication to his art. He carefully selects his scripts, remains faithful to stories with depth, and always prioritizes acting quality over commercial success.

It is this unwavering, serious, and uncompromising spirit that has made him a figure of enduring respect to both audiences and professionals, despite the constant changes in Hollywood. Though times change, his meticulousness and dedication to each role have affirmed the enduring artistic legacy of this "Titanic" star.

SHOCK: Leonardo DiCaprio's 'Lover' - female model Gigi Hadid was arrested for transporting 'marijuana' Yang Mi10:47:59 19/07/2023World-famous supermodel Gigi Hadid was arrested for carrying marijuana on a flight to the Cayman Islands on July 10. The information that Leonardo DiCaprio's lover was arrested has received media attention.