At the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, actor Timothee Chalamet was observed enthusiastically cheering for ballet icon Misty Copeland during a special segment. The 30-year-old star, seated alongside his girlfriend Kylie Jenner, 28, at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre, applauded as Copeland, 43, performed a dance routine tied to the film Sinners.
Performance and Reaction
Copeland danced to a rendition of the Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq track I Lied To You, which also featured a cameo from musician Shaboozey. This appearance came after Chalamet sparked significant debate with remarks made last month during a CNN and Variety Town Hall Event at the University of Texas at Austin. In a conversation with Matthew McConaughey, Chalamet expressed conflicted feelings about promoting cinema attendance and commented on ballet and opera, stating, "It's like, 'Keep this thing alive even though no one cares about this thing anymore.'"
Copeland's Response
Earlier this month, Copeland addressed Chalamet's characterization of ballet's modern relevance while speaking on a panel for Aveeno and TOGETHXR. She noted the irony of his invitation to promote his film Marty Supreme last year, which she supported via social media. Copeland reframed the discussion, acknowledging that ballet might not be as popular as movies but emphasizing its enduring cultural significance.
"I think it's important that we acknowledge that, yes, this is an art form that is not 'popular' and a part of pop culture as movies are," Copeland said. "But that doesn't mean it doesn't have enduring relevance in culture." She added that popularity does not equate to meaning or impact, highlighting ballet's 400-year history and her work with the Misty Copeland Foundation to provide access and opportunities.
Fan Reactions and Context
On social media platform X, fans shared mixed opinions on the Oscars display. One user posted a clip captioned "Misty Copeland ending Timothee Chalamet," while another criticized Copeland for taking the remark personally. However, some pointed out deeper context: Chalamet's mother, grandmother, and sister have ties to the New York City Ballet, which one commenter argued made his comments "deeply disgusting" as they seemingly insulted his family.
Oscars Outcome
Chalamet was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role but lost to Michael B. Jordan from Sinners. Other nominees included Leonardo DiCaprio, Wagner Moura, and Ethan Hawke. This marked Chalamet's third nomination in the category, following nods for Call Me By Your Name in 2017 and A Complete Unknown in 2024.
The incident underscores ongoing debates about the value of traditional arts in contemporary culture, with Copeland's performance serving as a poignant rebuttal to claims of irrelevance.
