Timothée Chalamet and Jessie Buckley have become the latest targets of online backlash, threatening to overshadow their Oscar campaigns. Chalamet, nominated for best actor for Marty Supreme, faced criticism after a resurfaced interview in which he referred to ballet and opera as potentially endangered and not especially relevant art forms. The clip went viral just as voting for the 98th Academy Awards closed on 5 March.
Meanwhile, best actress nominee Jessie Buckley, recognised for her role in Hamnet, found herself at the centre of a separate controversy. A clip from earlier in the season resurfaced in which she appeared to express a dislike of cats. Buckley later clarified on The Tonight Show that she is a "cat lover", but the damage was done.
The controversies highlight an increasingly toxic discourse surrounding the Oscars, driven largely by social media. The Guardian notes that such fleeting comments are dissected endlessly, with articles like this one amplifying the absurdity. Even praise can invite sniping, as seen when a journalist's post about Leonardo DiCaprio's performances led to accusations of ignoring Michael B Jordan.
This year's race, despite featuring acclaimed films such as Sinners and One Battle After Another, has been marked by exhaustion rather than celebration. The season, now extending into March, feels longer than ever, with online arguments over trivial remarks dominating the conversation.
