Actor Timothée Chalamet has ignited a considerable backlash following his controversial remarks regarding the state of ballet and opera. During "A CNN & Variety Town Hall Event" with Matthew McConaughey, the "Marty Supreme" Oscar nominee expressed his desire for movie theaters not to suffer the same fate as "ballet or opera," where, in his view, artists strive to "keep this thing alive" despite the perception that "no one cares" about it anymore. He later made a self-deprecating comment about losing "14 cents in viewership" due to his statement, a remark that also drew criticism.

The comments were met with blunt words from the hosts of "The View." Sunny Hostin voiced her offense and disappointment, stating that she "didn’t realize he was that vapid and that shallow." Whoopi Goldberg, noting Hostin's background in dance, emphasized the disrespect of "crapping on somebody else’s art form." Goldberg also cautioned Chalamet about his "14 cents" comment, suggesting the repercussions would be far greater. She further highlighted that attempting to apologize by saying "no disrespect" after an insult is disingenuous, calling it "absolute disrespect."

The arts community swiftly responded to Chalamet's viral diss. London’s Royal Ballet and Opera posted footage on Instagram showcasing its craftspeople and performers, inviting Chalamet to reconsider his stance by stating, "Every night at the Royal Opera House, thousands of people gather for ballet and opera. For the music. For the storytelling. For the sheer magic of live performance. If you’d like to reconsider, [Timothée Chalamet], our doors are open." The English National Opera also extended an invitation to Chalamet for a performance. The Seattle Opera even garnered headlines by offering 14% off tickets for its production of "Carmen" using the promo code "Timothée," a playful jab at his "14 cents" remark.

Celebrities also weighed in on the controversy. Doja Cat, in a now-deleted TikTok post, fiercely criticized Chalamet, pointing out the extensive history of these art forms: "Opera is 400 years old. Ballet is 500 years old. Somebody named Tim-oh-tay Cha-lam-et had the nerve to say — on camera — that nobody cares about it." She passionately argued that opera theaters are typically full of respectful audiences, underscoring the enduring appeal and significance of ballet and opera.