Timothée Chalamet faced backlash after saying he would not want to work in art forms like ballet or opera to “keep them alive.” Artists and institutions responded strongly, calling the remark dismissive of centuries-old cultural traditions
Timothee Chalamet
Actor Timothee Chalamet, who was last seen in Marty Supreme and is a strong contender at the upcoming Oscars, is facing backlash for his recent comments on ballet and opera. His comments have been met with backlash from netizens, calling his remarks 'arrogant and ignorant'. Many Opera and ballet artists also slammed the actor for his comments on the art form.
Timothee's comments of ballet and opera
Chalamet had been talking to Matthew McConaughey at the University of Texas in February about efforts to preserve cinema.
"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.'," Chalamet said.
"All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there", he quickly added.
How artists reacted to Chalamet's comment
The Royal Ballet and Opera UK told The Hollywood Reporter, “Ballet and opera have never existed in isolation, they have continually informed, inspired, and elevated other art forms. Their influence can be felt across theatre, film, contemporary music, fashion, and beyond. For centuries, these disciplines have shaped the way artists create and audiences experience culture, and today millions of people around the world continue to enjoy and engage with them”
American opera singer Isabel Leonard commented on a video of Chalamet, writing, “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 (an) artist as I would only imagine one would as an actor. To take cheap shots at fellow artists says more in this interview than anything else he could say. Shows a lot about his character. You don’t have to like all art but only a weak person/artist feels the need to diminish in fact the VERY arts that would inspire those who are interested in slowing down, to do exactly that”/
As per ‘Female First UK’, New York City Ballet principal dancer Megan Fairchild also took to Instagram to share the opinion.
She wrote, “It’s not even the idea that he dissed ballet and opera that bothers me; It’s the suggestion that he had the talent and aptitude to pursue these Olympic-level artistic fields in the first place. Timmy, I didn’t realize you were a world-class dancer or opera singer who simply chose not to pursue it because acting’s more popular”.
Fellow principal dancer Sara Mearns referenced Timothee’s mother, Nicole Flender, who is a former ballet dancer, and wrote, “I would like to challenge @tchalemet to get in the studio with me create and be part of something that has stood the test of time. Show your mother the respect she deserves”.
(with inputs from IANS)
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