Additional Coverage:
- Timothée Chalamet dragged by opera and ballet worlds after he said ‘no one cares’ about them (nbcnews.com)
Timothée Chalamet Stirs the Pot with “No One Cares” Comments on Ballet and Opera
Hollywood heartthrob Timothée Chalamet is finding himself in a bit of a sticky situation after making some rather blunt remarks about the performing arts, specifically ballet and opera. The Oscar-nominated actor suggested during a recent conversation with Variety that “no one cares” about these art forms, a comment that has since ignited a fiery backlash from the arts community.
Chalamet, known for his roles in “Dune” and “Marty Supreme,” was discussing audience attention spans with Matthew McConaughey when he veered into the controversial territory. “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera,” Chalamet stated, adding, “Things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore.'”
He quickly followed up with a seemingly self-aware “All respect to the ballet and opera people out there. Damn, I just took shots for no reason,” but the damage, it seems, was already done.
The internet, as it often does, wasted no time in responding. The ballet and opera worlds, far from taking the comments lying down, have launched a spirited defense of their disciplines.
Megan Fairchild, a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, took to Instagram to deliver a pointed clap-back. In a video, Fairchild playfully questioned Chalamet’s perceived expertise: “Timmy, I didn’t realize you were a world class dancer or opera singer, who simply chose not to pursue it because acting is more popular.” She further clarified, “Ballet and opera aren’t niche hobbies people opt out of for fame,” before wishing him luck in the Oscar race, emphasizing the importance of artists supporting artists.
Major institutions also joined the chorus of disapproval. The Metropolitan Opera, LA Opera, and the UK’s Royal Ballet and Opera all made their voices heard on Instagram.
The Met posted a video showcasing the dedication of its performers and crew, subtly tagging Chalamet and echoing his “All respect” line. The LA Opera offered a tongue-in-cheek invitation to Chalamet to their currently-selling-out production of “Akhnaten,” noting that he might need to hurry for tickets.
The Royal Ballet and Opera extended a more gracious, yet equally firm, invitation, highlighting the thousands who regularly attend their performances.
The comment section of Variety’s video featuring Chalamet’s remarks quickly became a forum for frustrated performers. Soprano Candice Hoyes drew a stark comparison, commenting, “Opera is not Keeping up w Kardashians,” and hoping Chalamet’s films would “endure for a few hundred years like opera and ballet.” Three-time Grammy winner Isabel Leonard criticized Chalamet for taking “cheap shots at fellow actors,” while conductor Alondra de la Parra expressed disappointment and hoped he would “rethink” his perspective after experiencing the arts firsthand.
Adding a touch of irony to the whole situation, some social media users have unearthed photos of Chalamet sporting a New York City Ballet baseball cap back in January, leading one dance magazine to playfully post, “Timothée, we’re confused.”
It seems Chalamet’s casual comments have struck a chord, reminding everyone that while Hollywood might be the big screen, the stage still commands a passionate and vocal audience.