The world of opera and ballet, against Timothée Chalamet for having said they are dying arts

BarcelonaTimothée Chalamet is one of the young actors of the moment and on Sunday he could win his first Oscar for his performance in Marty Supreme. However, the winds of public opinion are not entirely in his favor, especially after his statements went viral this weekend in which he called opera and ballet dying arts, a statement that has angered both artistic spheres, which through different institutions have responded to the actor.

During a conversation with Matthew McConaughey for Variety magazine to promote Marty Supreme, Chalamet slipped and said: "I don't want to work in places like ballet or opera where it's like, 'Hey! Keep it alive, even though nobody cares.' With all due respect to the people in ballet and opera." Possibly aware, halfway, of what he had just said, he wanted to get out of this uncomfortable moment by adding: "I just lost 14 cents in audience." Actors, artists, dancers, directors, musicians, and recognized institutions from the world of opera and ballet have strongly criticized the actor after Variety published the interview.

Last weekend, the Metropolitan Opera of New York responded to Chalamet through its Instagram account. The theater published a video highlighting the craftsmanship of the set designers, musicians, costume designers, and members of the various technical teams. At the center of the video, the phrase paraphrasing the actor is kept fixed: "All due respect to the people of opera (and ballet)." At the foot of the publication, the Met Opera addresses the actor directly: "This is for you, @tchalamet..."

Beyond institutions, there have also been personalities from the world of opera who have spoken out about the controversy, such as the renowned soprano Isabel Leonard. "Honestly, I'm surprised that someone apparently so successful can be so ineloquent and narrow-minded in their opinions about art while considering themselves an artist as I imagine an actor does."

Other representatives from the world of opera, ballet, and theater, such as mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny, choreographer Martin Chaix, Sadler's Wells artistic director Alistair Spalding, actress Laura Benanti, and dancers Ana Luiza Luizi and Júnio Enrique, have spoken out against the actor and defended two centuries-old arts.

What Timothée Chalamet initially thought could lead to a loss of 14 cents in audience may not stop there. The image of the 30-year-old actor, who has at times claimed to seek "greatness" in his profession, has been tarnished. However, it is unlikely that the controversy will affect his chances of winning the Oscar for best leading actor, as the academy awards voting closed days ago. Although he initially seemed to be one of the favorites to take home the award, according to betting houses, the balance would now tip in favor of Michael B. Jordan, the protagonist of Pecadores.