By Our Correspondent
National News – Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet, once the golden boy of cinema and a frontrunner for this year’s Best Actor Oscar, is facing a wave of controversy that could impact his award momentum.
His recent remarks dismissing ballet and opera as outdated sparked backlash across social media and from performing arts communities.
“No-one cares” about ballet or opera, Chalamet said, unintentionally igniting criticism from artists and fans who viewed the comments as dismissive.
Opera singer Isabel Leonard responded, highlighting that taking “cheap shots” at fellow artists reflects poorly on character, while Seattle Opera cleverly promoted discounted tickets with the promo code TIMOTHEE, capitalizing on the media attention.
The backlash coincides with the Oscar voting period, intensifying scrutiny of Chalamet’s candidacy.
Despite the controversy, industry experts suggest the remarks are unlikely to significantly affect the outcome, especially after Oscar voting closed.
Nevertheless, Chalamet’s momentum had already slowed following losses at the BAFTAs and Actors Awards, where fellow nominees gained traction.
Critics note that his Marty Supreme press tour, including flamboyant appearances with girlfriend Kylie Jenner, may have confused audiences about his public persona—oscillating between brash celebrity and serious actor.
This ambiguity has raised questions about whether voters perceive him as mature enough for the Best Actor accolade.
Attendance trends lend some context to Chalamet’s comments.
A 2022 US survey revealed that opera attendance dropped to just 0.7% of the population, down from 2.2% in 2017, while ballet and live dance fell from 8.2% to 4.7%.
Chalamet, whose family includes dancers, may have spoken from personal insight rather than disregard.
Other factors, such as reports about casting controversies in previous films and rising support for competitors like Michael B. Jordan in Sinners, could also influence the Oscars outcome.
Prediction sites currently place Chalamet at 34% chance of winning Best Actor, with Jordan favored above 50%.
Despite the recent negative attention, many still consider him a talented actor deserving recognition for his craft.
