Hollywood Star’s Opera and Ballet Remarks Spark Backlash
A recent comment from rising Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet, questioning the relevance of opera and ballet, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from fellow artists and cultural institutions. The 30-year-old actor, known for his roles in “Call Me By Your Name” and “Dune,” made the remarks during a joint Variety/CNN Town Hall event with Matthew McConaughey.
During the discussion on February 24th, Chalamet, with a smile, stated, “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera. Things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore.’”
While he quickly attempted to backtrack, saying, “All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there… I just lost 14 cents in viewership. Damn, I just took shots for no reason,” the damage was already done.
A Standing Ovation for the Arts
The controversy didn’t escape the notice of veteran actress Jamie Lee Curtis. The 67-year-old Oscar winner, a prominent figure on social media with over 11.8 million followers, publicly addressed the situation. She reposted an Instastory from Broadway performer Zach McNally, which questioned Chalamet’s stance.
McNally, a 35-year-old dancer trained at SUNY Purchase, argued passionately against artists criticising one another, especially in an era where artificial intelligence poses a threat to all art forms. He specifically highlighted performing arts like plays, ballets, operas, and musicals as being uniquely resilient.
Curtis amplified this sentiment by reposting clips from world-renowned institutions such as the Nationale Opera & Ballet in Amsterdam. Her support extended to Michael B. Jordan, the star of “Creed,” whom she championed as a strong contender for an acting award.
Oscar Buzz and Artistic Legacy
Interestingly, the timing of Chalamet’s comments comes as Gold Derby predicts his Oscar chances for his role in “Wonka” have slipped. He’s currently projected to have a 36.99 percent chance of winning best actor, trailing behind Michael B. Jordan. While many Academy members may have already cast their ballots, it remains to be seen if the controversy will impact his nominations for best picture and best actor in Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part Two.”
Chalamet had previously been considered a frontrunner for the best actor Oscar, having secured wins at the Critics’ Choice Awards and the Golden Globe Awards.
A Chorus of Disapproval
The list of celebrities who have publicly voiced their disapproval of Chalamet’s remarks is extensive and includes:
- Laura Benanti
- King Princess
- Sarah Hyland
- Ashley Graham
- Sam Taylor-Johnson
- Misty Copeland
- Eva Mendes
- Poppy Delevingne
- W. Kamau Bell
- Helen Hunt
- Alexis Knapp
- Holland Taylor
Adding another layer of irony to the situation, Chalamet’s own family has deep ties to the world of dance. His mother, Nicole Flender, and late grandmother, Enid Flender, were both professional dancers. Enid, who passed away at 95 in 2022, had a notable career performing in Broadway musicals like “Kiss Me, Kate” and “Make Mine Manhattan.”
Furthermore, Curtis, who herself trained at the School of American Ballet and later taught dance, expressed her disappointment.
The principal of Chalamet’s alma mater, LaGuardia High School, Deepak Marwah, penned an open letter, urging the actor to reconsider his words, stating, “We know your heart, and we know you know better.”
Institutions Respond
The artistic community’s response has been swift and strong. Several prominent opera and ballet companies have publicly condemned Chalamet’s comments, including:
- The Metropolitan Opera
- The Los Angeles Opera
- The Royal Ballet and Opera in London
- The English National Opera
- The Seattle Opera
Chalamet is slated to appear in the highly anticipated “Dune: Part Three,” the concluding instalment of Denis Villeneuve’s space opera adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novels, scheduled for release on December 18th in the US and UK. The film also stars a star-studded cast including Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Momoa, and Robert Pattinson.
