Jamie Lee Curtis recently voiced her disapproval of Timothée Chalamet’s comments about opera and ballet. During a chat with Matthew McConaughey, Chalamet remarked, “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera… Keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore.”
He quickly sensed the backlash, adding, “All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there… I just lost 14 cents in viewership.”
Broadway dancer Zach McNally expressed confusion on Instagram, questioning why artists criticize one another, especially when many art forms face challenges from technology, like artificial intelligence. He highlighted that live performances like ballet and opera remain safe from these threats.
Curtis supported McNally by sharing clips from opera and ballet companies and praising performances like those in Sinners, which features Michael B. Jordan. This weekend, Jordan is favored to win the Best Actor award, edging out Chalamet, whose performance in Marty Supreme had been a frontrunner.
Choreographer Amar Smalls also chimed in, challenging Chalamet’s critiques. He pointed out the high ticket prices for opera and ballet, saying, “Ain’t nobody dressing up to see Wonka.” This sparked a wave of support from fellow artists like Misty Copeland and Holland Taylor.
Interestingly, Chalamet’s worries about the popularity of traditional art forms aren’t new. He once said he feared cinema might become “like an outdated art form.”
Given his family background in dance—both his mother and grandmother were professional dancers—Chalamet’s comments struck many as surprising. He grew up immersed in the arts, often found backstage at the New York City Ballet.
In response to the outcry, the principal of LaGuardia High School, where Chalamet studied, wrote an open letter to him, reminding him of his roots and urging him to think more carefully.
Major organizations, including the Royal Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera, also echoed these sentiments. Meanwhile, the Seattle Opera even turned the situation into a promotional opportunity, offering discounts using the code “TIMOTHEE” for their upcoming production of Carmen.
Artistic communities are rallying together in support of these traditional forms, highlighting their importance in our culture and the ongoing dialogue around their relevance in today’s world.
