Actor Timothée Chalamet is facing criticism from the academic arts community after suggesting that “nobody cares about ballet and opera anymore.”
According to Hollywood Reporter, the actor made the statement during a discussion on maintaining movie-watching culture, organized by Variety and CNN at the University of Texas in late February. On March 6, a video of the conversation was shared on social media and quickly attracted attention.
Chalamet’s Comments About Ballet and Opera
In the video, Chalamet said he admires artists and often encourages the public to support traditional art forms. However, he argued that if audiences truly cared about these fields, they would actively seek them out.
“I don’t want to work in ballet or opera, or any field where people have to say, ‘Keep this art form alive,’ when in reality nobody cares about it anymore.”
He later added jokingly: “All due respect to the ballet and opera artists out there. I just lost a few more percent of my audience.”
Performing Arts Community Responds
Chalamet’s statement quickly drew reactions from members of the performing arts community. On her personal Instagram, American opera singer Isabel Leonard said she was surprised that a talented and popular artist would express such a narrow view of art.
She explained that while people do not have to love every art form, downplaying their cultural value is disappointing.
Irish opera singer Seán Tester also commented that Chalamet’s perspective reflects a simplistic view of cultural value. According to him, opera and ballet are not outdated art forms, as many performances have survived historical upheavals and continue to evolve over time.
Organizations Defend Ballet and Opera
A representative from the Royal Ballet and Opera said ballet and opera have deeply influenced other artistic industries such as film, music, and fashion.
For centuries, these classical art forms have shaped how artists create and how audiences experience culture. Today, millions of people worldwide still enjoy and engage with them.
The organization also shared behind-the-scenes videos showing artists and production staff at work. They noted that every performance at the Royal Opera House in the UK attracts thousands of attendees and even invited Chalamet to attend a show.
The English National Ballet, one of the top ballet companies in the UK, also challenged Chalamet’s claim. According to their data, over 200,000 people attended their performances, while their social media content generated more than 65 million views.
Mixed Opinions From Critics
However, New York Times critic Gia Kourlas suggested that Chalamet’s comments were not entirely wrong when viewed from the perspective of ballet’s place in popular culture.
She pointed out that Chalamet grew up in an artistic environment. His mother and sister studied at the School of American Ballet, and he was raised in Manhattan Plaza, a residential complex known for housing actors, singers, and dancers.
Kourlas argued that while Chalamet’s statement offended many people, it also highlights the reality faced by many classical artists today.
“Chalamet’s words may contain a deeper meaning: it’s not that ballet isn’t important, but that the world doesn’t truly understand its value.”
About Timothée Chalamet
Timothée Chalamet, 31, was born in New York into a family with strong artistic roots. He is of American-French descent and rose to international fame with his role as Elio in Call Me By Your Name (2017), which earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
His notable projects also include Wonka (2023) and A Complete Unknown (2024), the latter earning him his second Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
In 2023, Chalamet topped TC Candler’s list of the 100 most handsome men in the world and was described by GQ as a “breath of fresh air” reshaping perceptions of male beauty.
Upcoming Academy Awards
Chalamet is currently preparing to attend the 98th Academy Awards on March 15. He has been nominated for Best Actor for his role in Marty Supreme, which is also nominated in the Best Picture category.
