Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet has sparked widespread criticism after dismissing ballet and opera as art forms “no one cares about any more”. The remarks were made during a CNN/Variety conversation with Matthew McConaughey on 24 February.
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.”
Broadway dancer Zach McNally posted an Instagram video questioning why Chalamet would target other artists when AI threatens all art forms. The video was reshared by Oscar-winning actor Jamie Lee Curtis, who also shared clips from opera and ballet companies.
Dancer Amar Smalls posted a video criticising Chalamet’s filmography compared to “high art”, noting that “tickets to the opera and ballet are mad expensive”. The post received support from figures including Sam Taylor-Johnson, Misty Copeland, and Eva Mendes.
Chalamet’s mother and grandmother were both professional dancers, and he previously spoke of growing up backstage at the New York City Ballet. The principal of his former school, LaGuardia High School, wrote an open letter saying: “We know your heart, and we know you know better.”
Several opera companies responded, including Seattle Opera, which offered a 14% discount using the promo code TIMOTHEE. Voting for the best actor award closed on Thursday, before the backlash fully emerged.
