The Metropolitan Opera and the Royal Ballet/Opera have directly responded to comments made by actor Timothée Chalamet, where he suggested that opera and ballet are art forms that "no one cares about." Both institutions used their official social media accounts to push back against Chalamet's remarks, highlighting their own continued draw and the artistry involved.
The Metropolitan Opera posted a video showcasing the various craftspeople and performers involved in their productions, with the caption "This one's for you, @tchalamet… 👀." The video also included on-screen text referencing Chalamet's sentiment. The Royal Ballet and Opera, colloquially known as 'Covent Garden,' also issued a statement, inviting Chalamet to attend a performance and noting that "thousands of people" attend their shows nightly.
Chalamet's comments, made during a discussion about the film industry and the need to support movie theaters, suggested that he did not want to be associated with art forms that feel like they are struggling for relevance. He stated, "And I don't wanna be working in ballet or opera, or, you know, things where it's like, 'Hey, keep this thing alive,' even though it's like, 'no one cares about this anymore.'"
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The actor's remarks have drawn criticism not only from major opera and ballet houses but also from performers and those within the classical arts community. Opera performer Dean Murphy countered Chalamet's claim, noting the influence these art forms have had on cinema. Conductor Louis Lohraseb stated that Chalamet's comments reveal an ignorance of the "profound human connection that only live theater — opera and ballet — can offer." Dancer Fernando Montaño expressed disappointment in a public letter, while New York City Ballet principal dancer Megan Fairchild directly addressed Chalamet, questioning his perspective.
Adding a layer of irony, some social media users pointed out that Chalamet was seen wearing a New York City Ballet baseball cap earlier this year. Chalamet's mother, Nicole Flender, was reportedly a professional dancer.