Jamie Lee Curtis says Timothee Chalamet will regret ‘silly’ opera-ballet remark: 'Disrespectful'

Timothee Chalamet said he does not want to work in ballet, opera or art forms kept alive even though, in his view, no one cares about them anymore
PUBLISHED MAR 15, 2026
Jamie Lee Curtis said Timothee Chalamet likely regrets his comment, stressing performing arts are too important and adding that her daughter Annie works as a dance instructor (Getty Images)
Jamie Lee Curtis said Timothee Chalamet likely regrets his comment, stressing performing arts are too important and adding that her daughter Annie works as a dance instructor (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Oscar-winning actor Jamie Lee Curtis has weighed in on the controversy surrounding Timothee Chalamet after his recent remarks about ballet and opera sparked debate online.

In a recent interview, Curtis described Chalamet’s statement as “silly” and expressed concern that these comments might negatively impact his professional reputation in the long run.

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Jamie Lee Curtis arrives at the Variety's 2025 Power Of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on October 29, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)
Jamie Lee Curtis arrives at the Variety's 2025 Power Of Women at The Beverly Hills Hotel on October 29, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California (Steve Granitz/FilmMagic)

Jamie Lee Curtis calls Timothee Chalamet’s comment ‘silly’

While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Jamie Lee Curtis shared her honest thoughts on the situation and her disappointment.

She stated, “his comments are silly, and I’m sorry that they’re going to be a bit of his legacy now,” she said.

Curtis believes that, as an actor, it is a mistake to disrespect traditional arts that have existed for centuries. “I’m sure he regrets the comment because you can’t throw those art forms under a bus. You can’t do it. They’re too important,” she explained.



Timothee Chalamet sparks backlash with ‘no one cares’ remark

The controversy began after Chalamet made remarks during a public discussion about the future of the movie industry.

Chalamet was speaking with his 'Interstellar' co-star Matthew McConaughey at a town hall event organised by Variety and CNN when he mentioned that artistic industries struggle to stay popular with modern audiences.

“I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though, like, no one cares about this anymore,’” he said during the talk.

Even though he tried to joke about it moments later by saying, “I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I just took shots for no reason,” his words had already started a heated debate among fans and artists.

Timothée Chalamet attends the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/FilmMagic)
Timothee Chalamet attends the 97th Annual Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 02, 2025 in Hollywood, California (Chelsea Guglielmino/FilmMagic)

Jamie Lee Curtis defends survival of traditional arts

Furthermore, Curtis admitted that while fewer people might go to see ballet or opera today, that does not mean they are going to disappear.

“Does that mean there’s not a reduction in audiences for those art forms? I’m sure there is. Does that mean it’s going to be the destruction of those art forms? No,” she argued.

She pointed out that old traditions often survive even as technology and industries change, noting that “People still shoot on film, by the way.”

While criticising Chalamet’s remarks, Curtis also talked about how hard it is for many performers to find work in Hollywood right now, calling it a "desperate time" for the industry.

However, she remains hopeful that storytelling will continue to thrive despite these challenges. “I believe that the industry will survive, I think we’re in more of a transition phase. Nobody knows what makes anything successful. You just have to trust the art form,” she said.

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