Timothée Chalamet sparked a furious response from the performing arts world after dismissing ballet and opera as art forms that audiences do not care about.
The Oscar-nominated actor made the remarks during a town hall discussion with Matthew McConaughey at the University of Texas at Austin on February 24, but the clip in question has just gone viral.
Whilst debating efforts to preserve cinema, Mr Chalamet stated: "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.'"
He continued: "All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there."
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Timothee Chalamet sparked fury with his comments on ballet and opera
| PAThe actor swiftly acknowledged his comments might prove contentious, quipping: “I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I just took shots for no reason.”
Social media quickly lit up with criticism of the Willy Wonka actor’s remarks.
“That statement of Timothée Chalamet about ballet and opera... yeah I think I've had enough,” one viewer wrote on X, while another penned: “So disrespectful and out of touch."
Another critic said: “I love that he says it like it’s an option available to him when he doesn’t have the skills...”
Timothée Chalamet made the remarks during a town hall discussion with Matthew McConaughey
|Variety/CNN
“Honestly, I was so upset when I saw it,” added a fourth.
However, others came to the star's defence.
"He's not wrong," one viewer said bluntly.
Another stressed: "I'd like to think it just came across in an unfortunate way. From the context of the full interview, it seems he was expressing that he wants to work in media that is consumed by larger audience."
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Grammy-winning opera singer Isabel Leonard expressed dismay at the actor's words
|GETTY
They continued: "Could he have worded it better? Absolutely. But don't think we need to cancel/boycott him."
Grammy-winning opera singer Isabel Leonard expressed dismay at the actor's words, commenting: "Honestly, I'm shocked that someone so seemingly successful can be so ineloquent and narrow minded in his views about art while considering himself as artist as I would only imagine one would as an actor."
Ms Leonard continued: "To take cheap shots at fellow artists says more in this interview than anything else he could say. Shows a lot about his character."
Canadian mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny described it as a "disappointing take", arguing live theatre, ballet and opera possess an unmatched power.
She urged artists to "come together across disciplines" to champion these traditions rather than diminish them.
Brazilian ballet dancer Victor Caixeta offered a pointed rebuttal, noting that both art forms have endured for centuries and questioning whether contemporary films would still attract audiences 300 years hence.
Kam Saunders, a ballet choreographer who has worked as a dancer on Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, kept his reaction succinct, writing simply: "Yikes."
Professional ballet dancer Amar Smalls, who co-owns Smallsdance studio, suggested the issue lies with accessibility rather than audience interest, pointing to expensive ticket prices as a barrier.
Timothée Chalamet has sparked outrage
| GETTYMajor opera institutions have also weighed in on social media.
The Metropolitan Opera in New York shared a video showcasing the craftsmanship behind their productions, captioning it: "This one's for you, @tchalamet."
LA Opera responded with a pointed jab on Instagram, writing: "Sorry, @tchalamet. We'd offer you complimentary tickets to Akhnaten, but it's selling out. There are a few seats left to purchase if you hurry."
The institutional responses appeared designed to counter Mr Chalamet's suggestion that audiences have lost interest in opera, with LA Opera's sold-out production serving as direct evidence of continued public demand for the art form.
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