Timothée Chalamet and Jessie Buckley, both previously tipped as strong contenders for Oscars glory, have found themselves embroiled in controversy in the final days leading up to the 2026 Academy Awards. Despite voting having closed on March 4th, meaning the winners are already decided, the backlash threatens to cast a shadow over what had been highly successful campaigns for the two stars.
Timothée Chalamet's Remarks Spark Industry Outcry
Timothée Chalamet, a frontrunner in the Best Actor category for his role in Marty Supreme, faced significant criticism after comments he made during an interview with Matthew McConaughey went viral. In the discussion, Chalamet appeared to dismiss ballet and opera, stating, "I don't want to be working in ballet or opera or, you know, things where it's like, 'hey, keep this thing alive', even though no one cares about this any more." He later added, "All respect to the ballet and opera people out there, I just lost 14 cents in viewership, I just took shots for no reason."
The remarks prompted swift backlash from figures within those arts communities. Opera singer Isabel Leonard responded sharply, accusing Chalamet of being "ineloquent and narrow-minded in his views about art." Choreographer Martin Chaix and the English National Ballet also defended their industries, highlighting strong audience engagement and digital presence as evidence that ballet remains vibrant and relevant.
Jessie Buckley's Cat Comments Resurface
Meanwhile, Jessie Buckley, a favourite for Best Actress for her performance in Hamnet, encountered her own storm after an old interview resurfaced online. In the clip, Buckley joked about making her husband choose between her and his cats, saying, "I don't like cats," and recounting how one cat "staged a coup against me" by leaving messes on her pillow, leading to an ultimatum: "it's me or the cats."
The comments spread rapidly across social media, with some viewers branding them heartless and accusing Buckley of trivialising a serious demand. In response, Buckley addressed the backlash on US television, clarifying, "I need to clarify something for all cat lovers in the world. I am a lover of cats. I woke up this morning to the world thinking I really don't love cats and it really weighed on me all day. I felt sick."
Impact on Oscar Campaigns
Although the Academy Award outcomes are already sealed, this controversy has the potential to overshadow the achievements of both actors. Chalamet's Marty Supreme is nominated for nine Oscars, while Buckley's Hamnet has eight nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. The timing of these incidents, just before the ceremony, has sparked discussions about how public perception can influence awards season narratives, even if it cannot alter the final votes.
As the entertainment world awaits the Oscars, the focus has shifted momentarily from artistic merit to the fallout from these viral remarks, highlighting the delicate balance stars must maintain in the public eye during high-stakes campaigns.
