Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet is facing backlash following comments he made about the “dying” communities of ballet and opera.
During a Variety & CNN Town Hall interview with his "Interstellar" co-star Matthew McConaughey, Chalamet spoke about his experiences as an actor, the pressures of the industry, and the expectations placed on performers to help preserve cinema.
He shared, “I don’t wanna be working in ballet or opera, or you know, things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive,’ even though it’s like, no one cares about this anymore.”
He quickly clarified his statement, adding, “all respect to the ballet and opera people out there. I just lost 14 cents in viewership.”
Netizens start to point out Chalamet’s close ties to the performing arts. His mother was a ballerina, his sister trained at the School of American Ballet, and his grandmother performed on Broadway. Chalamet himself also had a background in theater during his younger years.
Chalamet’s remarks drew criticism from members of the performing arts community, including stage performers, opera houses, and ballet companies—though some also viewed the moment as an opportunity to highlight their art forms.
International choreographer Martin Chaix responded on Instagram, writing, “The backlash is brutal – and rightly so – proving, if that was necessary, that ballet and opera are pretty much alive and well.”
Renowned Filipina prima ballerina Lisa Macuja‑Elizalde—founder, artistic director, and CEO of Ballet Manila—also joined the conversation. She wrote, “Dear Timotheé Chalamet, I just want to thank you, thank you for renewing the fighting spirit in me and the fighting spirit in all of us ballet dancers.”
She added, “And it took you just one statement to wake us all up to the fact that what we are doing is very relevant and that we really care.”
Singer and rapper Doja Cat also weighed in on the discussion in a now-deleted Instagram video, saying, “The dancers care, the singers care, the audiences care.” She later walked back her comments, adding, “I am going to come out and say that I know nothing about opera. I know nothing about ballet.” Although she trained in ballet as a child, she clarified, “In no way, shape, or form am I a real professional dancer.”
