Timothée Chalamet faces backlash after comments dismissing ballet and opera

Actor Timothée Chalamet has drawn criticism from artists and performing arts institutions after remarks in which he suggested that ballet and opera are art forms audiences no longer care about.

The comments surfaced from a conversation between Chalamet and Matthew McConaughey during a February event at the University of Texas discussing the future of cinema. While speaking about efforts to preserve movie theaters, Chalamet contrasted film with other traditional art forms.

“I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore,’” Chalamet said during the discussion. He then added, “All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there.”

The remarks circulated widely online and prompted criticism from performers and cultural organizations connected to the classical arts.

Canadian mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny described the comments as a “disappointing take,” arguing that artists across different disciplines should support each other. Hollywood actor Jamie Lee Curtis also weighed in, asking on social media: “Why are any artists taking shots at any other artists?”

Members of the ballet community responded as well. Choreographer Martin Chaix said ballet remains a vibrant art form, emphasizing that live performance offers a human connection that continues to draw audiences.

Several institutions used the moment to defend the popularity of classical performance. The English National Ballet said its productions drew more than 200,000 attendees and generated millions of online impressions through its digital content.

Other organizations responded more playfully. Seattle Opera promoted an upcoming production of Carmen with a temporary ticket discount tied to Chalamet’s remarks.

The debate also reached television, where hosts on The View criticized the actor’s remarks. During the discussion, Whoopi Goldberg cautioned that dismissing other artistic disciplines could alienate audiences and fellow performers. “You come from a dance family, so when you crap on somebody else’s art form, it doesn’t feel good,” she said. Goldberg continued, “You probably didn’t realize until you said, ‘Oh, I’m in trouble,’ but then you compounded it… when people get mad, it’ll be a lot more than 14 cents, so be careful. I’m just saying. Be careful, boy.”

Chalamet is currently nominated for an Academy Award for his performance in Marty Supreme. The actor has not issued further public comments since the clip of his remarks began circulating online.