RILEY RAINS / ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR

Through an explosion of color and sound, the Metropolitan Opera filmed wig stylists, set designers, opera directors and more, all doing what they love. After working to curate an edit compiled of the Met’s 3,000 studio artists, the video was uploaded on Instagram and soon received over 470,000 likes. The post’s caption: “This one’s for you @tchalamet.” 

Timothée Chalamet is facing backlash after a comment defacing the fine arts.

“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘hey, keep this thing alive,’” Chalamet stated. “Even though it’s like, no one cares about this anymore.”

The 30-year-old actor quickly realized how these comments might land among his live audience. 

“I just lost about 14 cents in viewership,” Chalamet joked. 

He proceeded to laugh out an apology to the ballet and opera community, imitating an operatic voice, covering his face with his hands. Matthew McConaughey quickly changed the subject, but the effect was felt. Fine art professionals across the country are outraged.  

The comments happened when McConaughey invited Chalamet to University of Austin Texas Moody College of Communication to speak at a Variety & CNN Town Hall. The two actors spoke live about their careers and took questions from students at McConaughey’s alma mater. 

USD senior Kayleen Hewitt danced ballet for over a decade. 

“I think the comment itself was super ignorant, super arrogant and super offensive,” Hewitt argued. “Growing up, it was never cool to do ballet. I would have to beg my best friends to attend my shows. This hurts.”

USD sophomore Josephine Gallo is a practiced ballet dancer. Gallo is currently pursuing music as a career path and has a background in opera. 

“I get that everyone might not be interested in that stuff, but [ballet and opera] are still such a fundamental part of the arts that they have to be respected,” Gallo said. “There are some things you don’t disrespect, and I feel like these are two things you don’t.”

Many critics are confused by Chalamet’s disregard for the fine arts. His 2017 breakout role in “Call Me By Your Name” heavily celebrates classical music, impressionists paintings and French cinematography. 

Chalamet grew up in a federally subsidized artists’ building in Manhattan Plaza. He attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts. His sister, Pauline Chalamet danced in the New York City Ballet and is a professional actress. Chalamet’s mother studied at the School of American Ballet and later attended Yale on a ballet scholarship before switching to musical theatre. 

USD ballet instructor Marilyn Green has been dancing since she was 6 years old. She danced ballet professionally for 10 years and has taught the art form for over 50. Along with her expertise, Green has choreographed and performed many opera shows. Green was confused about Chalamet’s   comment in light of his family’s involvement with ballet.

“There’s an obvious lack of appreciation for the work that it takes to do that, a lack of appreciation for his mother and sister,” Green commented. “I am guessing that Timothée Chalamet was   maybe taken to a few too many ballet classes when he was little.”

With all of Green’s expertise, she can see some validity in Chalamet’s comment. 

“No, everybody doesn’t have to love everything,” Green reflected. “I hate opera. There’s something about the medium that doesn’t resonate with me. But you have to give it a try and become informed before you come out with a statement saying ‘I hate Opera,’ or ‘I hate Ballet.’”

Regardless of the reasoning, professional art organizations around the U.S. have responded in lighthearted ways, highlighting their commitment to art. The Seattle Opera wrote on an Instagram post that they are offering a 14% discount for select seats to their performance “Carmen” if attendees use the promo code “TIMOTHEE.” 

The Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) defended its artform by looking at Chalamet through an optimistic lens. Chief Executive Officer at BRB Paul James explained how Chalamet’s comment has provided an opportunity for artists to talk about why they value ballet.

“We have a whole community of opera, ballet lovers, participants, saying ‘No, no, I care,’” James said in an exclusive interview with BBC. “[Chalamet’s comment] has allowed us to have that conversation of just how important [fine art] is.”

Green explained how important the art forms are to USD students. 

“There’s over 30 people in my beginning ballet class and even more in advanced,” Green shared. “I think ballet is great for something to do. It is fun and students meet new people.”

The origins of ballet can be traced back to the 15th century Italian Renaissance, an art form that patrons have enjoyed long before film. Chalamet’s comment might have offended some, but other artists are dancing and singing more defiantly     in the wake of criticism.

Timothée Chalamet posing after winning ‘Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical’ in January at the Golden Globes. Photo courtesy of @tchalamet/Instagram