Jamie Lee Curtis has joined the chorus of criticism aimed at Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet after he made disparaging comments about opera and ballet. The actor, known for his role in Marty Supreme, sparked backlash during a CNN/Variety conversation with Matthew McConaughey recorded on 24 February.
In the video, Chalamet said: “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera. Things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this any more.’” He quickly added: “All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there … I just lost 14 cents in viewership.”
Broadway dancer Zach McNally posted an Instagram story questioning why Chalamet would criticise other art forms, especially with artificial intelligence threatening many creative industries. Curtis reshared the story and later posted clips from opera and ballet companies, including Amsterdam’s Nationale Opera & Ballet.
Dancer and choreographer Amar Smalls also criticised Chalamet in a video that gained support from figures such as Sam Taylor-Johnson, Misty Copeland, and Holland Taylor. Smalls remarked: “The tickets to the opera and ballet are mad expensive because it’s high art. Ain’t nobody dressing up to see Wonka.”
Lindsay London, principal of LaGuardia High School where Chalamet studied, wrote an open letter saying: “We know your heart, and we know you know better.” The actor’s mother and grandmother were professional dancers, and he previously spoke of growing up backstage at the New York City Ballet.
The Seattle Opera turned the controversy into a promotion, offering 14% off seats for Carmen with the code TIMOTHEE. Other bodies criticising Chalamet include London’s Royal Ballet and Opera, English National Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
