Monica Barbaro defends 'A Complete Unknown' co-star Timothee Chalamet over ballet remarks
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Monica Barbaro has defended her 'A Complete Unknown' co-star Timothee Chalamet over his controversial comments about ballet and opera earlier this year.
During an interview, Barbaro said she believed Chalamet's comments came from a place of “respect” for the art form. The 'One Night Only' actress told the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast, “You're the first person to ask me about this.” Chalamet faced backlash after making the comments about declining audiences for ballet and opera.
Monica Barbaro defends Timothee Chalamet's ballet remarks
Barbaro said one of the conversations she had with Chalamet while they were working together involved his sister, who is a dancer. She explained that she understood his comments as an expression of respect rather than an attempt to dismiss ballet or opera.
“I can't possibly know exactly where he was coming from when he said that, but one of the conversations we had on set was about his sister being a dancer, and he was actually saying it from a very hats-off, respect, kind of place."
Barbaro also said she interpreted Chalamet's remarks as being about declining audiences rather than criticism of the art forms themselves.
“I feel like it was something where he was expressing something in a way that made it sound like it was about the respect for the art form, when really I think it is about audiences for that art form."
“And I do think audiences are dwindling for those kinds of art forms.”
“I don't know that that's what he was saying, but that's my personal takeaway. I'm a Gemini. I try to see all sides,” she added. “I think in a way, there is some truth to that statement in a way I would like to not lead with offence.”
What did Timothee Chalamet say about ballet and opera?
During a Variety and CNN town hall with fellow actor Matthew McConaughey in February, Chalamet discussed ballet and opera while speaking about the future of different art forms.
“I don't want to be working in ballet or opera where it's like, ‘Hey! Keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore.’”
“All respect to the ballet and opera people out there,” he added.
The comments drew backlash, with critics arguing that Chalamet's remarks were dismissive of ballet and opera and their audiences.
Charlize Theron also criticized Chalamet's comments during an interview with The New York Times in April.
“Oh, boy, I hope I run into him one day. I feel like that was a very reckless comment on an art form, two art forms, that we need to lift up constantly because, yes, they do have a hard time.”
She added, “But in about 10 years, I think AI is going to be able to do Timothee’s job, but it will not be able to replace a person on a stage dancing live. And we shouldn’t on other art forms. How about we start with that?”
Barbaro's comments offered a different perspective on the controversy, with the actress saying she viewed Chalamet's remarks as being more about audience interest than a lack of respect for ballet or opera.
