Timothée Chalamet sparks outrage after saying ‘no one cares’ about ballet, opera

Timothée Chalamet is facing backlash from the ballet and opera communities after making statements suggesting that “no one cares” about the centuries-old art forms.

In a video clip from the “CNN and Variety Town Hall Event” uploaded on February 24, the 30-year-old actor and Matthew McConaughey Discuss the growing trend in the industry for films to load up on the “biggest action sets” rather than saving those sequences for the end.

Chalamet noted that he has noticed an appetite, especially among younger viewers, for films that are “more patient and that grab you,” citing 2025 Netflix hit “Frankenstein” as an example.

“It requires you to wave the flag, ‘Hey, this is a serious movie,’ or something like that, and some people want to be entertained and fast,” the “Dune” star said.

“I’m really in the middle, Matthew. I admire people, and I’ve done it myself, who go on a talk show and say, ‘Hey, we’ve got to keep the movie theater alive, we’ve got to keep the genre alive,’ and another part of me feels that if people want to see it, like ‘Barbie’ or ‘Oppenheimer,’ they’ll go see it and do their best to be loud and proud of it.”

“I don’t want to do ballet, or opera, or things like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about that anymore,’” Chalamet said.

Timothée Chalamet has sparked harsh criticism after claiming that “no one cares” about ballet and opera. (Robin Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

He added, laughing, “All respect to all the ballet and opera workers there.”

Chalamet appeared to realize that his offhand comments might have cost him some goodwill among audience members, joking, “I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I just took pictures for no reason.”

Oscar nominee’s statements It sparked sharp criticism from prominent figures and organizations in the ballet and opera worlds when it began spreading online earlier this week.

The Oscar nominee made the comments during a recent town hall event with Matthew McConaughey. (Axel/Power Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images)

The Metropolitan Opera responded to Chalamet’s comments in an Instagram post, which included behind-the-scenes shots of clients, designers and musicians preparing for a performance, showcasing the ingenuity and collaboration behind the opera’s production.

“All respect to the opera (and ballet) people over there,” the Met Opera wrote in the video, referring to Chalamet’s statements.

The organization went on to call out the actor directly in the comment, writing: “This is for you, @tchalamet…”

The Royal Ballet and Opera Company has uploaded a video to Social media It began with an audio clip of Chalamet’s comments on scenes from the shows and behind the scenes. The video then cut to a packed audience as the words “We Care” appeared on the screen.

“Every night at the Royal Opera House, thousands of people gather for ballet and opera,” the organization wrote. In the caption. “For the music. For the storytelling. For the sheer magic of live performance. If you’d like to revisit, @tchalemet, our doors are open.”

The organization also issued a statement to Hollywood Reporterwrites, “Ballet and opera have never existed in isolation – they have continually informed, inspired and elevated other art forms. Their influence can be felt across theatre, film, contemporary music, fashion and beyond.”

The Los Angeles Opera also took aim at Chalamet on Instagram In a job Touting the success of their ongoing production of “Akhenaten,” they wrote: “Sorry @tchalemet we were offering you free tickets to Akhenaten, but they are sold out. There are a few seats left to purchase if you’re in a hurry.”

Seattle Opera had a cheeky response to Chalament, Offer a ticket promotion Based on his statements. “All we have to say is…use promo code TIMOTHEE to save 14% off select Carmen seats, this weekend only.”

“Timmy, you’re welcome to use it too,” the caption added. “See you at the opera!”

Timothée Chalamet at the 83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2026 in Beverly Hills. (Gilbert Flores/2026GG/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, many famous artists took to social media to express their displeasure with Chalamet’s comments.

Grammy Award Winner Opera singer Isabelle Leonard commented on A Post from Variety He presents a discussion of McConaughey and Chalament, writing: “Frankly, I was shocked that someone who seemed so successful could be so articulate and narrow-minded in his views on art while considering himself as much an artist as I only imagine him to be an actor.”

She continued: “Taking cheap shots at fellow artists says more in this interview than anything else he could say. It shows a lot about his character. You don’t have to like all art but only a weak person/artist feels the need to belittle the arts which will inspire those interested in slowing down, to do just that.”

Brazilian ballet dancer Victor Caixeta also criticized Chalamet’s ballet, writing: “Ballet and opera have survived for centuries. Let’s see if your films are still being watched 300 years on.”

In an Instagram video, New York City Ballet principal dancer Megan Fairchild explained that she took issue with Chalamet’s suggestion that he deliberately chose an acting career over ballet and opera.

“It’s not the idea that he denigrated ballet and opera that bothers me, but rather the suggestion that he had the talent and ability to pursue these Olympic-level artistic fields in the first place,” she said.

“Timmy, I didn’t realize that you were a world-class dancer or opera singer who simply chose not to pursue that field because acting is more popular! Ballet and opera are not niche hobbies that people choose to turn away from for the sake of fame. They are niches that you can only get into if you have the rare ability for them in the first place.”

The actor’s comments sparked condemnation from prominent figures in the ballet and opera communities. (Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

In the caption, Fairchild also referenced previous comments Chalamet has made about his family’s ties to the ballet world, while also noting how he was seen stepping out wearing a New York City Ballet baseball cap in January.

“We forgive you, Chalamet,” she wrote. “We know you love @nycballet – we saw the hat. And your beautiful sister watches our rehearsals.”

In a December 2025 interview, Chalamet recalled growing up around ballet through his family, noting that his grandmother, mother Nicole Flender, and sister Pauline Chalamet were dancers.

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“My grandmother danced in the New York City Ballet, my mother danced in the New York City Ballet, and my sister danced in the New York City Ballet. I grew up dreaming a lot backstage at the Koch Theater in New York. […] “I’m like a Venn diagram of the best cultural influences of the 21st century and the 20th century,” he said in a clip posted by a fan.

Some of Chalament’s colleagues Hollywood stars They also expressed their disapproval of his comments, including Jamie Lee Curtis, who reposted a video shared by actor Zach McNally, in which he expressed his disappointment with Chalamet’s comments.

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Chalamet’s defenders argued that the actor’s comments were not fundamentally wrong. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

However, despite the overwhelmingly negative response from the ballet and opera communities, some online commentators defended Chalamet’s position, arguing that he was commenting on audience trends rather than the intrinsic value of ballet or opera.

“Look, I’m a supporter of the arts, and I’m very passionate about it, but it’s clear what Timothée Chalamet was trying to say,” he said. User X wrote. “It’s about audience participation. He didn’t put it well at all. I say this as someone who loves ballet and sees beauty in opera.”

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“Timothée Chalamet did nothing wrong.” Another agreed. “I am part of the remaining audience for ballet and opera. They are not widely popular art forms today. Cinema was the great mass medium of the 20th century. There is no guarantee that it will continue. It shows a proper interest in the future of cinema.”

“Come on, I used to work for an opera company. My checks — which I needed to pay the rent — bounced more than once.” Social media user Comment. “Regardless of the glib phrasing, Timothée Chalamet is right: very few people care about opera. It’s bad, but that’s the reality.”

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New York Times on Friday Published an editorial Entitled “Timothée Chalamet Has a Point About Ballet”, it argued that although Chalamet’s opinion was not entirely “embodied”, the actor was not necessarily wrong.

“Chalamet’s point was not that ballet and opera don’t matter, but that they aren’t really part of mainstream culture,” the editorial said. “He was ignoring the roles of these art forms in our society. Is he wrong? The value of ballet and opera, and people’s perception of their value, are two different things.”

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