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Guest Column: Why Timothée Chalamet was wrong to compare film to ballet and opera
Chalamet's remarks sparked criticism from celebrities including Doja Cat and Sunny Hostin, highlighting ongoing debates about public support and appreciation for opera and ballet.
- Timothée Chalamet's Variety interview clips from March 6, 2026, resurfaced, prompting criticism after he said he didn't want to work in opera or ballet; Doja Cat initially joined then retracted criticism.
- Amid awards-season attention, Timothée Chalamet said he didn't want to work in opera or ballet because people were trying to keep them alive despite lack of interest, which landed badly with artists.
- Performers responded by sharing performances as Tamara Rojo of San Francisco Ballet cited more than 40% revenue growth, while Soula Parassidis and Stefanie Renee Salyers defended opera and ballet's intrinsic value.
- Timothée Chalamet's awards-season profile faces heightened scrutiny as Marty Supreme from A24 has earned more than $147 million worldwide, with commentators noting irony in his remarks given the film’s originality.
- The episode renewed debate about arts funding in the United States, recalling a 2000 National Endowment for the Arts analysis on low per-capita spending and highlighting social media 'feeds' as a driver of cultural attention.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Conductor says Timothée Chalamet was ignorant with opera and ballet claims
NEW YORK — Famed conductor Gustavo Dudamel said Timothée Chalamet showed ignorance when the Oscar-nominated actor claimed “no one cares” about opera and ballet. “Sadly sometimes it’s a little bit of ignorance but, look, that is why we have to open more spaces for people to connect with classical music,” Dudamel said Tuesday night at an event to announce the programming of his first season as the New York Philharmonic’s music director. Dudamel sp…
“Did Anyone Look At Chalamet As A Sage Prior To This?”: Steven Spielberg Slams Timothée Ahead Of The Oscars
Steven Spielberg has now weighed in on Timothee Chalamet’s controversial remarks about ballet and opera during a panel at the 2026 SXSW Conference and Festival on March 13. The legendary filmmaker appeared to respond to the actor’s comments while discussing the importance of shared artistic experiences. Chalamet had recently sparked backlash after saying during a February Variety Actors on Actors town hall that he would not want to work in art f…
Is Timothée Chalamet Shallow? Doja Cat Admits Joining Backlash Just to 'Look Like a Hero'
Timothée Chalamet is facing a fresh round of criticism in the US this week after comments he made about opera and ballet resurfaced online, with Doja Cat among the celebrities who initially joined the backlash before publicly retracting her criticism. The actor's remarks came from a Variety interview with Matthew McConaughey, and he has not responded publicly to the dispute. For context, the row began after Chalamet said he had no interest in wo…
For Timothy Chalamet, "no one has anything to do" with ballet or opera. For the past few days, polemics have made institutions around the world react. Bordeaux's opera, which fills the room and attracts young people, has invited the actor to come and attend a show and discover the programming that goes from balls to Bridgerton to musicals, to the very popular Christmas ballets or mythical operas.
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