‘There’s a reason that the opera and ballet have been around for over 400 years,’ the dancer said.

Misty Copeland, who was part of Marty Supreme promo, blasts Timothée Chalamet for ballet and opera comments

'There's a reason that the opera and ballet have been around for over 400 years,' the dancer said.

By Marina Watts

Marina Watts is a news writer for with seven years experience covering entertainment, pop culture and celebrity news. Her previous work appears in PEOPLE, Bustle and *Newsweek*.

EW's editorial guidelines

March 10, 2026 4:56 p.m. ET

Misty Copeland and Timothée Chalamet. Credit:

Theo Wargo/Getty; Samir Hussein/WireImage

- Misty Copeland slammed Timothée Chalamet's comments about "no one" caring about ballet and opera.

- The ballerina said that just because those art forms aren't popular doesn't mean they don't "have enduring relevance in culture."

- Chalamet featured Copeland in his *Marty Supreme *marketing campaign.

Dancer Misty Copeland is calling out Timothée Chalamet for his comments about ballet and opera.

As seen in a TikTok video, Copeland said, "First I have to say that it's very interesting that he invited me to be a part of promoting *Marty Supreme* with respect to my art form." Along with other celebrities such as Tom Brady and Kid Cudi, the ballerina was photographed wearing a navy windbreaker emblazoned with the film's title.

Misty Copeland performing in 'Don Quixote' at the Metropolitan Opera House in 2017.

Hiroyuki Ito/Getty

"But I think that it's important that we acknowledge that, yes, this is an art form that's not 'popular' and a part of pop culture as movies are," she continued. "But that doesn't mean it doesn't have enduring relevance in culture."

Copeland noted that it's "often mistaken when something is popular that it's meaningful or more impactful." But, she added, "there's a reason that the opera and ballet have been around for over 400 years."

She also mentioned how "access and opportunity" can help launch someone's career, referring to her Misty Copeland Foundation, which helps "bring more people" into ballet. "People do understand the importance and the relevance of it in our communities and our culture, and you see it reflected everywhere," she continued.

Copeland concluded that Chalamet wouldn't be an actor with the opportunities he has as a movie star if not for "opera and ballet in their relevance in that medium." "So all of these mediums have a space and we shouldn't be comparing them."

'View' cohosts slam 'vapid' Timothée Chalamet's anti-opera jab: 'Be careful, boy'

'Jeopardy!' roasts Timothée Chalamet with ‘ballet and opera’ category

Chalamet's comments were made during a *Variety* and CNN Town Hall in February, but they went viral last week. While speaking with Matthew McConaughey, he discussed the challenges the film industry faces when it comes to movie theaters.

"I admire people, and I've done it myself, who go on a talk show and go, 'Hey, we gotta keep movie theaters alive. You know, we gotta keep this genre alive,'" he said. "And another part of me feels like, if people want to see it, like *Barbie*, like *Oppenheimer*, they're going to go see it and go out of their way to be loud and proud about it."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

He then he pivoted to other performing arts. "And I don't want to be working in ballet or opera, or you know, things where it's like, 'Hey, keep this thing alive,' even though it's like, no one cares about this anymore," Chalamet said. "All respect to the ballet and opera people out there. I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I just took shots for no reason."**

Timothée Chalamet in Los Angeles in March 2026.

xelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Since his comments went viral, cultural institutions including London Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera have responded, as well as celebrities such as Doja Cat and the hosts of *The View*.

Chalamet is nominated for Best Actor for his performance in *Marty Supreme* at the 98th Academy Awards, which take place March 15.

- Celebrities & Creators

- Celebrity Feuds & Controversies

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Celebrity”