Timothée Chalamet is facing backlash after comments he made about ballet and opera sparked criticism from performers across the arts community.
The Oscar-nominated actor recently appeared at a town hall event with Matthew McConaughey produced by Variety and CNN, where the two discussed the future of entertainment and the importance of keeping certain art forms alive.
During the conversation, Chalamet explained that he doesn’t believe audiences need to be convinced to support art they care about.
“I admire people who go on talk shows and say we’ve got to keep movie theaters alive or keep this genre alive,” Chalamet said during the discussion.
“But another part of me feels like if people want to see it, like Barbie or Oppenheimer, they’re going to go see it and go out of their way to support it.”
However, the actor then made a remark that quickly drew criticism online.
“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera where it’s like ‘Hey! Keep this thing alive even though no one cares about this anymore,’” Chalamet said.
He added shortly after, “All respect to the ballet and opera people out there… I just lost 14 cents in viewership.”
Opera Singers and Artists Respond
Chalamet’s comments immediately sparked reactions from performers within the opera and ballet world.
US opera singer Isabel Leonard addressed the comments on Instagram, saying she was surprised by the actor’s remarks.
“Honestly, I’m shocked that someone so seemingly successful can be so ineloquent and narrow-minded in his views about art while considering himself an artist,” Leonard wrote.
She continued, suggesting that dismissing other art forms reflects poorly on artists who do so.
“To take cheap shots at fellow artists says more in this interview than anything else he could say.”
Leonard also added that while audiences don’t need to enjoy every art form, it’s unnecessary to diminish them.
“Only a weak person or artist feels the need to diminish the very arts that inspire people who want to slow down and experience them.”
Canadian mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny also responded in the comments, calling the remarks disappointing.
“There is nothing more impressive than the magic of live theatre, ballet and opera,” she wrote.
Critics Say the Art Forms Are Still Thriving
Irish opera singer Seán Tester also shared his perspective on Instagram, describing the actor’s comments as a misunderstanding of cultural value.
“They are not outdated art forms,” Tester wrote.
“They are living ones, constantly reinterpreted and evolving.”
He continued by pointing out the long history and resilience of these artistic traditions.
“Opera and ballet have survived wars and centuries of change. To call them irrelevant says far less about the art itself than it does about how little time someone has spent truly experiencing it.”
Royal Ballet and Opera Issues Statement
The debate also prompted a response from the Royal Ballet and Opera, which released a statement emphasizing the influence of these art forms.
Timothee Chalamet and Matthew McConaughey speaking during a Variety and CNN town hall discussion about the film industry.
Timothee Chalamet speaking during a Variety CNN town hall event.
“Ballet and opera have never existed in isolation,” the organization said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
“They have continually informed, inspired, and elevated other art forms.”
The organization added that their influence can be seen across film, theater, music, and fashion.
“For centuries, these disciplines have shaped how artists create and how audiences experience culture.”
Chalamet Prepares for the Oscars
The controversy comes as Chalamet prepares for the upcoming Academy Awards.
The actor is nominated for Best Actor for his role in Marty Supreme.
The sports drama film is also nominated for Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards, which will take place on March 15.
