Timothée Chalamet, once widely regarded as Hollywood’s golden boy and a strong contender for an Oscar, is now facing a wave of criticism. The question arises: is the recent backlash born from his comments on ballet and opera, or does it stem from deeper issues?
Chalamet’s assertion that “no-one cares” about ballet or opera likely did not anticipate the fervent reaction his remarks would generate. The intensity of public opinion surrounding these art forms, and indeed Chalamet himself, proved to be surprisingly strong.
Theatre critic and arts broadcaster Ian Brown described Chalamet as an “absolute fool,” suggesting on BBC Radio London that his words might ultimately prove detrimental. Echoing this sentiment, the pop culture podcast The Spill dedicated an episode to questioning whether the “Timothée era” had reached an abrupt end.
Analyzing the “Cheap Shots”
While Chalamet’s statements might have been ill-considered, they represent relatively minor transgressions when contrasted with some of the more significant controversies Hollywood has seen over the years.
During a recent interview with Matthew McConaughey, his co-star in the 2014 film *Interstellar*, Chalamet’s intention was reportedly to emphasize the importance of cinema remaining a widely accessible pursuit, rather than becoming a niche interest.
“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera or things where it’s like, ‘Keep this thing alive even though no-one cares about this any more’,” he stated. He quickly added a conciliatory note, “All respect to the ballet and opera people out there,” acknowledging the potential negative perception of his initial remark. He noted, “I just lost 14 cents in viewership. Damn, I just took shots for no reason.”
Artists from the ballet and opera communities defended their respective fields. US opera singer Isabel Leonard commented that “cheap shots at fellow artists says more in this interview than anything else he could say. Shows a lot about his character.”
Some arts organizations strategically leveraged the attention. The Seattle Opera, for instance, offered a 14% discount on tickets to its production of *Carmen*, using the promotional code TIMOTHEE and humorously inviting the actor to use it himself.
Audience Data and Timing
While opera and ballet possess dedicated fan bases, Chalamet’s observation may have held some factual basis. A biennial survey of arts attendance in the United States indicated a decline in opera viewership, with only 0.7% of the population attending at least once in 2022, down from 2.2% in 2017. Similarly, participation in ballet and other live dance forms decreased from 8.2% to 4.7% during the same five-year period.
Although some have characterized Chalamet’s comments as “punching down,” he might be drawing from personal experience, having previously spoken positively about his family’s involvement in dance.
The timing of his remarks, occurring shortly before the Oscars and with Chalamet nominated for Best Actor for his role in *Wonka* (referred to as *Marty Supreme* in the original text), likely amplified the backlash. The comments, made over two weeks prior, gained traction early the following week, with reactions escalating as the days progressed.
The proximity of these events to the conclusion of Oscar voting led to speculation. Chalamet’s prominent fan account, Club Chalamet, alleged it was a deliberate “smear campaign” intended to undermine his chances.
Shifting Momentum in the Awards Race
Alex Ritman, London bureau chief for Variety, suggested that the controversy peaked after Oscar voting had closed, potentially limiting its impact on the final outcome. However, Chalamet’s momentum in the awards race had already been affected by his failure to secure wins in two significant pre-Oscar awards: the BAFTAs and the Actors Awards.
“It’s about the momentum as you get into that last leg and you see how the tea leaves are falling,” Ritman explained. “He was obviously a frontrunner for a very long time, and then when all the different award ceremonies start happening back-to-back, you get a lay of the land.”
Chalamet was close to becoming the youngest Best Actor Oscar winner last year. Having recently passed his 30th birthday, he would be the second-youngest recipient if he were to win the award this weekend.
Rehna Azim, awards editor for Movie Marker, expressed support for Chalamet. She believes it is beneficial for actors to offer more engaging responses than the typical “bland, safe answers” often given. Azim feels Chalamet deserves his Oscar, citing his strong fan engagement, acting talent, and overall interesting presence, which she would regret seeing diminished due to online criticism.
The presumed frontrunners in the Oscars race often face increased scrutiny. Actress Jessie Buckley, considered a strong candidate for Best Actress for *Hamnet*, recently addressed a minor controversy involving past statements about her pet cats.
Michael Schulman, author of *Oscar Wars*, proposed that such “semi-scandals” are a symptom of an extended Oscar season, leading to an overexposure of individuals in the public eye.
“I don’t think that the Oscar strategists are that powerful,” Schulman commented, disagreeing with the notion that controversies are always orchestrated. He added that while Chalamet is deserving of an Oscar, public sentiment has shifted slightly in recent weeks, even predating the current controversy.
Schulman attributed this shift partly to Chalamet’s public persona during the *Wonka* press tour, which he described as a “callow youth full of braggadocio.” He noted that this persona, while effective for the film’s promotion, created an awkward transition into award season. When Chalamet adopted a more reverent and humble demeanor, audiences may have already associated him with the more rebellious “brat persona” from *Wonka*. This contrast, Schulman suggested, could lead to him being perceived as “young and obnoxious,” potentially deterring voters.
While Schulman views Chalamet’s *Wonka* press tour persona as largely a performance, it has left many observers confused about his genuine disposition. The ambiguity lies in whether he is a brash celebrity involved with reality TV stars or a more reserved, serious actor. It’s possible he embodies both aspects: a talented actor who can appear obnoxious when openly pursuing Oscar glory and a place among the acting elite, alongside dating Kylie Jenner and employing effective promotional tactics for his films.
Other Factors in the Awards Landscape
Other developments might influence the Oscar race more significantly than the opera and ballet comments. Reports surfaced concerning the casting of a 17-year-old girl to portray a sex worker in a previous film by *Wonka* director Josh Safdie. The director was reportedly unaware of the actress’s age until after the scene was filmed.
Additionally, there has been a notable surge in support for the film *Sinners*, particularly after the BAFTAs. The film’s stars, Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, received widespread praise for their dignified handling of the situation when a guest with Tourette’s syndrome involuntarily shouted a racial slur during their on-stage appearance.
According to the prediction site Gold Derby, Michael B. Jordan’s chances of winning Best Actor on Oscar night now exceed 50%, placing Chalamet at 34%. Schulman concluded that “he still could win,” indicating that the race remains competitive.