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So far, Timothée Chalamet has not issued an apology or addressed the controversy.
Timothée Chalamet called opera and ballet outdated arts.
Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet is facing widespread criticism after comments he made about opera and ballet sparked backlash from artists, institutions and fellow celebrities. The controversy has quickly escalated online, with many accusing the Hollywood star of dismissing classical performing arts. But do you know what did Timothée say and who are slamming him now? Let’s find out.
What Did Timothée Chalamet Say?
The controversy began after Chalamet made remarks during a discussion with actor Matthew McConaughey at a Variety and CNN town hall while promoting his film Marty Supreme. While speaking about the future of cinema and his desire to work in films that attract large audiences, the 30-year-old actor said he had no interest in working in certain traditional art forms.
“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 anymore,” Chalamet said. However, he quickly attempted to soften the remark by adding, “All respect to the ballet and opera people out there.” The actor also joked about the fallout, saying he had probably “lost 14 cents in viewership” after the comment.
Comment Disappoints Opera Singers
However, the remarks were widely interpreted as dismissive of centuries-old performing arts traditions and triggered strong reactions from the global arts community. Grammy-winning opera singer Isabel Leonard strongly condemned the actor’s statement and called it narrow-minded. “Honestly, I’m shocked that someone so seemingly successful can be so ineloquent and narrow-minded in his views about art,” Leonard wrote in response to the viral clip.
Opera singer Deepa Johnny also criticised the remarks, calling them “a disappointing take.” “There is nothing more impressive than the magic of live theatre, ballet and opera. We should be trying to uplift these art forms,” she wrote.
Celebrities Also Slam Chalamet
Actress Whoopi Goldberg criticised Chalamet on the talk show The View, warning him to be mindful when speaking about other artistic disciplines. “Be careful, boy,” she said. Actor Jamie Lee Curtis also reacted to the debate, describing Chalamet’s comments as “silly”.
Singer Charlie Puth also took to his X handle recently and shared his thoughts on “less popular” art forms. “I feel compelled to say that even when an art form isn’t at the height of its popularity, traces of it still live on in the music and cinema that resonate with people today,” he said. Charlie continued, “The popular music we hear now simply wouldn’t exist without the popular music that came before it centuries ago.”
Timothée’s Ballet Connection
The backlash has also been amplified because of Chalamet’s personal connection to the ballet world. For the unversed, his mother, Nicole Flender, worked as a ballet teacher for decades, and members of his family have been involved with the New York City Ballet.
So far, Timothée Chalamet has not issued an apology or addressed the controversy.
March 12, 2026, 21:33 IST
