Timothée Chalamet recently faced backlash following comments suggesting he has little interest in working within the ballet or opera industries, claiming “no one cares about it.”

During a conversation with Matthew McConaughey for Variety, the 30-year-old actor expressed his reluctance to engage in art forms that require constant efforts to stay relevant.

Chalamet remarked, “I respect those who advocate for keeping movie theaters alive. I’ve participated in discussions to support that cause.”

He continued, “But there’s another side to it. If something captivates audiences, like Barbie or Oppenheimer, people will naturally seek it out and support it enthusiastically.”

Chalamet further elaborated, “I’m not inclined to work in ballet or opera—fields where the narrative is ‘keep this alive,’ despite a dwindling interest.”

He concluded with a nod to those passionate about these forms, adding, “I mean no disrespect to the ballet and opera communities. I may have lost a few viewers with my remarks, but it wasn’t my intention to offend.”

Timothée Chalamet, 30, has been blasted after he said he does not want to work in ballet or opera as ‘no one cares about it’

The actor admitted to Matthew McConaughey in a Variety interview that he doesn’t want to work in an art that you ‘have to keep alive’

The comments prompted criticism on social media from those in the two industries, including US opera singer Isabel Leonard.

Isabel wrote: ‘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.’

Canadian mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny added in another comment: ‘What a disappointing take. There is nothing more impressive than the magic of live theatre, ballet and opera.

‘We should be trying to uplift these art forms, these artists and come together across disciplines to do that. The impact of these mediums are long, long-lasting and life-changing.’

His comments come after his private chef revealed the star was so pampered on the set of Wonka that he would have three alternative breakfasts prepared for him and would only eat one

Comedian Tom Davis, who was also in the film, said on the Parenting Hell podcast: ‘One thing that ground my gears – he had a personal chef.

The comments prompted criticism on social media from those in the two industries, including US opera singer Isabel Leonard

‘And we were having quite ropey breakfasts. I got to know his personal chef quite a bit and I said, ”What are you cooking this morning?”

‘He said, ”I do three different things for Tim, and he’ll have one thing.”

‘And Timothée turned around and went, ”Hey man, why don’t you have the other two things?” 

Timothée and Kylie Jenner have been dating for over three years and live together, with marriage being a consideration, according to a Daily Mail source. 

Insiders revealed in early 2025 that Kylie and Timothée have agreed to a set of stipulations regarding their relationship.

While the twosome only started attending public events together more than two years into their relationship, they have not posted each other online.

When the actor was profiled in a November cover story for Vogue he turned down the opportunity to speak about the relationship.

He established a boundary, saying he ‘will not talk about’ it, but clarified, ‘I don’t say that with any fear, I just don’t have anything to say.’

However, at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards in January, Timothée made his most open profession about his girlfriend in his acceptance speech.

‘Thank you to my partner of three years. Thank you for our foundation. I love you. I couldn’t do this without you,’ he effused.