Timothée Chalamet's ballet and opera controversy, explained
Timothée Chalamet's ballet and opera controversy, explained
Nicole Fallert, USA TODAYMon, March 16, 2026 at 3:47 PM UTC
0
The ballet and opera world's attention has been piquéd by a certain Hollywood star.
When Timothée Chalamet said "no one cares" about ballet or opera during a CNN and Variety town hall, posted on Feb. 24, it ignited a firestorm of rebuke among fans of these classical art forms.
The controversy was center stage at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, with jokes and even a famous ballerina making a very clear counterpoint. Chalamet did not win in the Best Actor category for "Marty Supreme" and played it cool despite multiple references to the comments during the night.
Here's what to know about how the conflict started in the first place and why it matters to everyday fans.
1 / 0The best Oscars moments you didn't see on TV, from backstage sightings to celeb hangouts
From Emma Stone and Demi Moore having a catch-up to all the winners embracing their major moment backstage, here's a look at everything going on behind the scenes at the 98th Academy Awards.Pictured here, Conan O'Brien talks to Amy Madigan, winner of the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for "Weapons," backstage during the Oscars.
The video that started it all
Social media erupted last month when video surfaced of Chalamet in conversation with Matthew McConaughey, in which Chalamet discussed Hollywood's business and the pressure to make movies hit at the box office.
"I admire people, and I've done it myself, who go on a talk show and say, 'Hey, we've got to keep movie theaters alive, we've gotta keep this genre alive,' and another part of me feels like if people want to see it, like 'Barbie,' like 'Oppenheimer,' they're going to go see it and go out of their way to be loud and proud about it," he told McConaughey.
He then went on to say the words that would ignite fervor:
"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.' All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there," Chalamet told McConaughey.
The ballet and opera worlds respond
As the clip of Chalamet's words about ballet and opera circulated online, fans and performers of these art forms made their frustration known. Ballet, a classical dance form, and opera, a powerful genre of narrative vocal performance, may not be popular to mass audiences, some argued, but their value to culture and society are proven by the fact they have a long legacy. Both are highly physical performance styles that require decades of specialized training and experience to master, fans say, showing many people clearly "care."
In one response, Brazilian ballet dancer, Victor Caixeta, defended ballet and opera's legacy that has "survived for centuries," writing, "Let’s see if your movies are still being watched in 300 years," he added.
Multiple theaters offered discounted tickets with the code "Chalamet." "The Pitt" star Katherine LaNasa shared a video of herself training in ballet. Pop star Doja Cat clapped back, too.
"I'm sure you could walk into an opera theater right now, seats would be filled out, and nobody is saying a word as the performance is going because everybody has that much respect for it," Doja Cat said.
Chalamet, ballet and opera: 'Jeopardy!' subtly shades Timothée Chalamet with 'ballet and opera' category
Even Deepak Marwah, the head of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York, where Chalamet himself studied, chimed in via an open letter. He expressed to the actor: "We know your heart, and we know you know better."
Marwah and others mentioned Chalamet's words come despite own legacy within the ballet world: His grandmother, mother and sister danced with the New York City Ballet, he said in an interview promoting "Marty Supreme."
Advertisement
"I grew up dreaming big at the backstage at the Koch Theater in New York," he said, referencing the New York City venue for ballet and dance.
Timothée Chalamet, right, has been facing backlash after saying that "no one cares" about ballet or opera anymore.
Meanwhile, Misty Copeland, one of America's premier ballerinas, said she was surprised by Chalamet's remarks, particularly after he had asked for her help in promoting "Marty Supreme."
"I think that it's important that we acknowledge that, yes, this is an art form that's not 'popular' and a part of pop culture as movies are, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have enduring relevance in culture," Copeland, 43, said during a panel for the cosmetics company Aveeno.
On stage at the Oscars
The backlash marked Chalamet's campaign for Best Actor leading up the 98th Academy Awards.
Chalamet attended the Oscars with girlfriend Kylie Jenner in an all-white suit and displayed a cool affection throughout the night, despite losing for Best Actor and multiple nods during the show to the controversy.
"Security is extremely tight tonight," host Conan O'Brien said. "I'm told there's concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities." He added: "They're just mad you left out jazz."
The crowd erupted in laughter, and the camera showed Chalamet cracking a smile.
Chalamet at the Oscars: Chalamet and Kylie Jenner turn heads at Vanity Fair party
Copeland also made a point en pointe, spinning out of the shadows to perform ballet with Chalamet sitting nearby during a simmering blues-rock fusion of “I Lied to You” from “Sinners."
Misty Copeland dances on stage during the performance of "I Lied to You" from "Sinners" during the Oscars show.
Chalamet has not publicly addressed the controversy.
Why do we care?
Whether or not you're a ballet or opera fan, the discourse struck a cord with many: Some on social media defend his words, saying they were taken out of context. Others feel the Chalamet they have come to love has betrayed them or grown "arrogant" as his stardom booms.
Either way, the main reason we feel so invested in the star's point of view is the parasocial relationship we have with celebrities, which are the "illusion of friendship" with high-profile people like Chalamet, sociology experts have explained to USA TODAY.
If we feel Chalamet is a person we know, it can make it extra hurtful when he says something unexpected, the experts note. But it's important to remember parasocial connections are up to us to discern: We'll never know the whole story of celebrities.
No matter how you feel about the discourse, perhaps the energy around Chalamet's claims are just further evidence of Marwah's words that ballet and opera are "very much alive."
Contributing: Anna Kaufman, Anthony Robledo
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Explaining the Timothée Chalamet controversy about ballet, opera
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
