Timothée Chalamet Faces Backlash for Dissing Opera and Ballet

Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin of 'The View' criticize the actor's comments as 'vapid' and 'shallow'

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Actor Timothée Chalamet faced criticism from 'The View' hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hostin after he dissed opera and ballet, saying 'no one cares about this anymore.' Goldberg and Hostin called his comments 'vapid' and 'shallow,' with Goldberg telling Chalamet to 'be careful' and that he is still 'a boy' to her. The Royal Ballet, English National Opera, and Seattle Opera also responded to Chalamet's remarks, inviting him to reconsider his stance.

Why it matters

Chalamet's comments about opera and ballet being art forms that 'no one cares about' anymore struck a nerve with many in the arts community, who saw his remarks as disrespectful and dismissive of centuries-old performance traditions. The backlash highlights the ongoing debate around the relevance and accessibility of classical arts in modern society.

The details

During a conversation with Matthew McConaughey, Chalamet said he didn't want movie theaters to go the way of 'ballet or opera,' where artists want to 'keep this thing alive' even though 'no one cares' about it anymore. Hostin said she was 'offended and disappointed' by Chalamet's 'vapid and shallow' comments, while Goldberg told him to 'be careful' and that he is still 'a boy' to her. Several prominent opera and ballet companies, including the Royal Ballet and English National Opera, responded by inviting Chalamet to reconsider his stance and experience their performances.

  • Chalamet made the comments during a 'CNN & Variety Town Hall Event' on March 9, 2026.
  • The View hosts criticized Chalamet's remarks on their March 9, 2026 episode.

The players

Timothée Chalamet

An American actor who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 'Marty Supreme'.

Whoopi Goldberg

An American actress, comedian, author, and television personality, and one of the hosts of 'The View'.

Sunny Hostin

An American lawyer, journalist, and television personality, and one of the hosts of 'The View'.

Royal Ballet

One of the world's most renowned ballet companies, based in London, England.

English National Opera

A leading opera company in London, England.

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What they’re saying

“Ballet is hard. I'm offended and disappointed in what he said. I didn't realize he was that vapid and that shallow.”

— Sunny Hostin, Co-host, The View (Entertainment Weekly)

“You come from a dance family, so when you crap on somebody else's art form, it doesn't feel good. You probably didn't realize until you said, 'Oh, I'm in trouble,' but then you compounded it and said '14 cents.' No, when people get mad, it'll be a lot more than 14 cents, so be careful. I'm just saying. Be careful, boy.”

— Whoopi Goldberg, Co-host, The View (Entertainment Weekly)

What’s next

The Royal Ballet, English National Opera, and Seattle Opera have all extended invitations to Timothée Chalamet to attend their performances and reconsider his stance on opera and ballet.

The takeaway

Chalamet's dismissive comments about opera and ballet highlight the ongoing challenges these art forms face in maintaining relevance and public interest in the modern era. The strong backlash from industry figures and fans underscores the deep passion and respect many still have for these centuries-old performance traditions.