Timothée Chalamet’s recent controversial remarks about ballet and opera became a talking point at the 2026 Oscars.
During Sunday night’s ceremony, a couple of people made playful digs at Chalamet’s comments after the actor previously said “no one cares about this anymore” while discussing the art forms.
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While accepting one of two wins for best live-action short film, which was a tie, Alexandre Singh of Two People Exchanging Saliva made a subtle dig, seemingly aimed at Chalamet, in his speech.
“Maybe it takes 10 years’ time, but we can change society through art, through creativity, through theater and ballet,” he said, pausing as the crowd reacted loudly, “and also cinema.”
To kick off the night, host Conan O’Brien poked fun at Chalamet in his opening monologue. “Security is extremely tight tonight. I’m told there are concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet community,” he said.
O’Brien then addressed the actor, saying, “They’re just mad you left out jazz.” The camera cut to Chalamet and his date, girlfriend Kylie Jenner, who both laughed.
The discourse over his comments began after clips resurfaced from Chalamet’s live conversation with Matthew McConaughey during a Variety and celebrity.land town hall last month. During the discussion, Chalamet was asked whether audiences still have an interest in slower-paced movies.
In his response, Chalamet said he wouldn’t want to be involved in an art form that “no one cares about,” mentioning ballet and opera as examples.
“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,’” he said with a laugh. “All respect to the ballet and opera people out there … I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I’m taking shots for no reason.”
His comments sparked an outpouring of reactions from celebrities, as well as opera legend Andrea Bocelli and former American Ballet Theatre dancer Misty Copeland, who joined the Sinners crew at Sunday night’s ceremony for a performance of “I Lied to You.”
At the 2026 Oscars, Chalamet is nominated for best actor for Marty Supreme, directed by Josh Safdie. The nomination marked his third, following Call Me by Your Name in 2018 and A Complete Unknown in 2025. With the nomination, Chalamet became the youngest male actor to earn three acting nods since Marlon Brando in 1954.
Released by A24, Marty Supreme stars Chalamet as Marty Mauser, a ping-pong hustler trying to make it out of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, where the film was shot. The cast also includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Tyler, the Creator, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, Abel Ferrara, Fran Drescher, Emory Cohen and Sandra Bernhard. The film earned nine nominations in total.
The 98th annual Academy Awards were hosted by Conan O’Brien. See the star-studded Oscars red carpet 2026 arrivals and the full winners list here.
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