Royal Ballet boss thanks Timothée Chalamet after ‘no-one cares’ comment sparks sales: 'Cheers Timmy!'

Lydia Davies
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:08:36 +0000

The chief executive of the Royal Ballet and Opera, has expressed gratitude to Hollywood actor Timothée Chalamet for inadvertently driving up ticket sales at the Covent Garden institution.

The Oscar-nominated star sparked widespread criticism back in February when he suggested during a podcast conversation with Matthew McConaughey at the University of Texas that "no-one cares" about ballet or opera anymore.

Alex Beard told The Times that the public reaction to Mr Chalamet's dismissive remarks had been "fantastic" for the organisation.

"We simply said 'Take a look at what we're doing, mate' - for instance, the fact that the largest portion of our audience by age is 20 to 30-year-olds," he explained.

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The organisation's social media response proved remarkably successful, generating 2.5 million engagements and half a million shares on Instagram alone.

Mr Beard noted that ticket sales received an immediate uplift following the viral moment.

"So cheers, Timmy!" the RBO chief added.

The actor’s comments prompted a swift response from the arts community.

The Metropolitan Opera highlighted its performances on social media, while the English National Ballet pointed to strong attendance and online engagement as proof the art form is “thriving”.

LA Opera also responded, noting its productions were already selling out.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Opera’s Cameron Menzies described the comments as “generalised and outdated”.

Prominent figures across the arts and entertainment industry also criticised the actor’s stance.

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Prima Ballerina Misty Copeland suggested Mr Chalamet “wouldn’t be an actor” without the influence of opera and ballet.

Hollywood actress Jamie Lee Curtis questioned why artists criticise one another, while US TV personality Sunny Hostin labelled his remarks “vapid” and “shallow”.

Others described his comments as “narrow-minded” and dismissive.

The Seattle Opera also capitalised on the controversy, offering discounted tickets to a Carmen performance using the promotional code "TIMOTHEE" and inviting the actor to take advantage of it himself.

In the same interview, conducted as Mr Beard launched his 14th season at the Royal Opera House, he addressed the organisation's recently announced dynamic pricing policy.

"What we do is not full-on dynamic pricing," Mr Beard stated.

He emphasised that lower price bands stay constant throughout, while premium tickets have a ceiling on how much they can increase.

"It's a long way from what you might call the full Oasis experience," Mr Beard remarked, referencing the controversial ticket pricing that accompanied the band's reunion tour.

The RBO chief suggested that adjusting top-tier prices helps maintain affordability at lower price points.

The comments come as Director Luca Guadagnino defended Timothée Chalamet and called out the backlash to the young actor.

Speaking ahead of his opera The Death of Klinghoffer, Mr Guadagnino said the reaction was excessive.

“I am not on social media and don’t understand how one [single] comment can become a planetary polemic,” he said.

The filmmaker, who cast Chalamet in Call Me By Your Name, admitted the actor “could have spared himself … but he’s young, smart, sensitive” and concerned about cinema’s future.

Mr Guadagnino added: “We must unite the arts, not separate them.”