Timothee Chalamet SLAMMED by Met Opera and Covent Garden after he said ‘no one cares about’ them
Timothee Chalamet’s move into opera and ballet has received negative reactions from New York City’s Metropolitan Opera and London’s Royal Ballet and Opera.
The 30-year-old actor made the candid statement while talking to Matthew McConaughey about his hopes for movie theaters’ survival.
He later added in an interview: “I don’t want to work in ballet or opera or anything like, ‘Hey, nobody cares about this thing anymore’.” sortActors on Actors.
“With all due respect to the ballet and opera people,” the Oscar contender added. ‘I lost 14 cents on viewing, I took pictures for no reason.’
The Metropolitan Opera retaliated by broadcasting a montage of its employees’ hard work; “Regards to the opera (and ballet) people,” was written on the screen.
In the caption, the respected institution left no doubt as to the target of its message, writing: ‘This is for you, Timothée Chalamet…’
Timothee Chalamet’s move towards opera and ballet received negative reaction from New York City Metropolitan Opera and London Royal Ballet and Opera
Meanwhile, the Royal Ballet and Opera, popularly known as ‘Covent Garden’ due to its neighborhood in London, also made its own statement.
‘Ballet and opera have never existed in isolation; “They have consistently informed, inspired and elevated other art forms,” they said. Hollywood Reporter.
‘Their influence is felt in theatre, film, contemporary music, fashion and beyond. For centuries, these disciplines have shaped the way artists create and audiences experience culture, and millions of people around the world continue to enjoy and engage with them today.’
Chalamet’s dig at opera and ballet came as he and McConaughey discussed Hollywood figures who have made public statements in support of movie theaters.
‘I admire people and I’ve done that myself, I did a talk show about how we should keep movie theaters alive, you know, we should keep this genre alive,’ he said.
“And part of me feels like if people want to see it, like Barbie, like Oppenheimer, they’re going to go see it and do their best to be loud and proud of it,” she added, noting that opera and ballet don’t have such mainstream audiences.
When McConaughey later apologized for his ‘shot’ at the artwork, he said: ‘It’s not a shot, I understand what you’re saying.’
While opera fans and ballet enthusiasts were outraged by Chalamet’s comments, two famous classical singers went so far as to publicly chastise him.
Francesca Hayward was photographed performing at the Royal Opera House in Swan Lake, home of the Royal Ballet and popularly known as ‘Covent Garden’ after its London neighbourhood.
Soprano Lise Davidsen was spotted rehearsing her production of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City last month.
American opera star Isabel Leonard said, “Honestly, it surprises me that someone who seems so successful could be so callous and narrow-minded in his views on art and think of himself as an artist, which I could only imagine as an actor.”
‘Taking cheap shots at his fellow artists in this interview says more than anything he could say. It shows a lot about his character. You don’t have to love all art, but only a weak person/artist would feel the need to cut back on arts that would actually inspire those interested in slowing down to do exactly that.’
Canadian mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny said: ‘What a disappointing approach. There is nothing more impressive than the magic of live theatre, ballet and opera. We must try to elevate these art forms, these artists, and to do this we must come together across disciplines. ‘The impact of these environments is long-lasting, permanent and life-changing.’
But Chalamet was defended by Slovak pop artist Adela, who started her showbiz career as a ballerina but is now on Demi Lovato’s tour as a singer.
“I think people are exaggerating it,” he said when asked about Chalamet’s remarks in an interview at LAX. TMZ.
‘I saw it, but I don’t think it means anything like that. “I think it’s okay,” he added. ‘It’s not wrong. It’s kind of a dying art form. So sad. If anything, it emphasized it. I think people are very upset, but as a ballerina, it’s a bit like that. People should go to ballet more. Honestly maybe this is good publicity.’
