Last Updated:March 12, 2026, 01:39 IST

Timothée Chalamet faces backlash over ballet and opera comments but remains silent while promoting Marty Supreme in China ahead of the 2026 Oscars.

Timothee Chalamet won a Golden Globe for Marty Supreme.(Photo Credit: Instagram)

Timothée Chalamet, 30, has yet to respond to a wave of criticism over his recent comments about ballet and opera, even as he continues promoting his film Marty Supreme internationally. During a Feb. 24 town hall with Matthew McConaughey, Chalamet remarked that he didn’t want to work in art forms “where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though like no one cares about this anymore.’” He quickly added a disclaimer of respect for artists, joking, “I just lost 14 cents in viewership, I just took shots for no reason.”

Since then, numerous performing artists and Hollywood figures have expressed disapproval of the remarks. Grammy-winning opera singer Isabelle Leonard called the comments “shocking” and criticized Chalamet for being “ineloquent and narrow minded” about art. Rapper Doja Cat initially criticized him on TikTok but later admitted her response was more about gaining attention than actual opinion, saying she “knew nothing about opera” and called her first video “virtue signaling.”

Despite the controversy, Chalamet has remained focused on promoting his work abroad. On March 6, he shared Instagram photos from Japan as he and Marty Supreme director Josh Safdie toured Asia. The pair also attended the film’s China premiere on March 10 in Beijing, where fans presented Chalamet with a large tapestry praising him as the “absolute Supreme Marty” and “King of the Silver Screen.”

Promoting Marty Supreme Ahead of Oscars

Chalamet has been keeping attention on his film rather than addressing the backlash. Marty Supreme marks one of his high-profile releases ahead of the 2026 Academy Awards, and his promotional tour in Asia underscores the global anticipation for the project. While Hollywood debates his comments on classical arts, Chalamet appears to be embracing his growing international fanbase, particularly in China, where audiences celebrated him with enthusiasm and elaborate gifts.

The actor’s silence on the controversy contrasts with the vocal responses from other celebrities and artists, suggesting that he prefers to let his work speak for itself.