Timothée Chalamet is facing criticism from the ballet and opera communities after disparaging remarks toward the artforms that he made during a recent town hall discussion went viral.
During a February conversation hosted by CNN and Variety with actor Matthew McConaughey, Chalamet discussed the challenges facing movie theaters and contrasted them with traditional performing arts, saying he wouldn’t want to work in ballet or opera where artists try to “keep this thing alive” even though “no one cares about this anymore.” He added that he meant “all respect” to those communities but joked that he had “lost 14 cents in viewership.”
The comments drew swift pushback from artists and institutions tied to the centuries-old art forms. Organizations including the Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Ballet and Opera responded online with videos and posts highlighting packed theaters and backstage preparations, countering the notion that audiences no longer care.
Opera singers and dancers also voiced frustration. Critics within the classical arts community described the remarks as dismissive of disciplines that require years of training and remain culturally significant worldwide. Some companies took advantage of the attention it brought, creating promo packages and contents tied to the remark.
The controversy expanded beyond the performing arts world. On the talk show The View, host Whoopi Goldberg warned Chalamet to “be careful” about dismissing other art forms, while co-host Sunny Hostin described the comments as “shallow.” Singer Doja Cat also weighed in on social media, defending the centuries-old traditions and emphasizing the dedication required of performers.
The backlash arrives as Chalamet continues his awards-season campaign for his performance in “Marty Supreme”, with some already denouncing his Oscar chance as a lost cause. That sentiment’s accuracy remains to be seen, given that Oscar voting closed before the infamous comment went viral.