Jimmy Kimmel Mocks Timothée Chalamet Over Ballet and Opera Backlash

The late-night host joked about the challenges publicists face when their clients make controversial public comments.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:33pm

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During his acceptance speech at the 2026 ICG Publicists Awards, Jimmy Kimmel took a swipe at Timothée Chalamet's recent backlash over comments he made about ballet and opera. Kimmel joked that publicists have a difficult job "when your clients have strong opinions about opera and ballet." Chalamet had previously said in a CNN & Variety Town Hall that "no one cares about [opera or ballet] anymore," prompting reactions from the ballet community, including dancer Misty Copeland.

Why it matters

Kimmel's joke highlights the challenges that publicists face when their celebrity clients make controversial public statements. Chalamet's comments about ballet and opera being irrelevant sparked a backlash, demonstrating the importance of public figures being mindful of their words and the potential impact they can have, especially on established art forms.

The details

During his acceptance speech at the 2026 ICG Publicists Awards, Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about the difficulties publicists face when their clients make controversial public remarks. Specifically, Kimmel referenced the backlash Timothée Chalamet has faced over comments he made about ballet and opera, saying "Publicists have a very difficult job, especially when your clients have strong opinions about opera and ballet." Chalamet had previously stated in a CNN & Variety Town Hall that "no one cares about [opera or ballet] anymore," which prompted reactions from the ballet community, including dancer Misty Copeland, who said "There's a reason that the opera and ballet have been around for over 400 years" and that Chalamet "wouldn't be an actor and have the opportunities he has as a movie star if it weren't for opera and ballet and their relevance in that medium."

  • Kimmel made the joke during his acceptance speech at the 2026 ICG Publicists Awards on March 13, 2026.
  • Chalamet made his controversial comments about ballet and opera in a CNN & Variety Town Hall prior to the awards ceremony.

The players

Jimmy Kimmel

The host of the late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the recipient of the President Awards honor at the 2026 ICG Publicists Awards.

Timothée Chalamet

An American actor who recently received backlash over comments he made about ballet and opera being irrelevant.

Misty Copeland

A ballet dancer who was featured in a promo for Chalamet's film Marty Supreme and responded to his comments, defending the relevance of ballet and opera.

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What they’re saying

“Publicists have a very difficult job, especially when your clients have strong opinions about opera and ballet.”

— Jimmy Kimmel, Late-night talk show host

“There's a reason that the opera and ballet have been around for over 400 years. I mean, he wouldn't be an actor and have the opportunities he has as a movie star if it weren't for opera and ballet and their relevance in that medium. So all of these mediums have a space and we shouldn't be comparing them.”

— Misty Copeland, Ballet dancer

What’s next

It remains to be seen if Timothée Chalamet will respond to the continued backlash over his comments about ballet and opera.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance for public figures to be mindful of their words and the potential impact they can have, especially when discussing established art forms. Kimmel's joke underscores the challenges publicists face in managing their clients' controversial statements and the resulting fallout.