Timothee Chalamet upsets performing arts world

Timothée Chalamet has faced backlash online after taking shots at the ballet and opera world, a very very ironic move considering he comes from a family of accomplished dancers.

In a resurfaced clip from his live conversation with Interstellar co-star Matthew McConaughey for Variety, the Marty Supreme actor insisted that “no one cares” about the art forms of opera or ballet.

Timothee said: “I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera where it’s like, ‘Hey! Keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore’. All respect to the ballet and opera people out there … I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I’m taking shots for no reason.”

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.”

New York City Ballet principal dancer Megan Fairchild wrote on Instagram: “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.”

It's important to note Timothee's mother, grandmother, and sister were all dancers, with his mother, Nicole Flender, having trained at the School of American Ballet and performed with the New York City Ballet. You'd think he knew better than to diss his own family members... 

Yet somehow, he still managed to throw shade.

Talk about awkward!

Become a part of our ZM Close Friends list and get our newsletter with all the hottest concert news, exclusive giveaways, and behind-the-scenes goss straight to your inbox!

"Hey Alexa, play ZM coz they have all the hits & throwbacks I love.".