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Doja Cat has weighed in on controversy surrounding Timothée Chalamet’s comments about opera and ballet, joining a growing chorus defending the classical arts.
The hip-hop star posted a video on TikTok responding to Chalamet’s remarks, noting that both art forms have existed for centuries. She highlighted that opera is over 400 years old, while ballet dates back roughly 500 years. During the video, she mispronounced Chalamet’s name before criticizing what she described as his dismissive attitude toward the genres, saying he “had the nerve” to claim people no longer care about opera or ballet.
Doja Cat argued that performances still draw large audiences, adding that attending an opera house today would likely mean a full house. She explained that audiences remain quiet during performances out of respect for what she called a “very beautiful” art form.
The singer also emphasized the physical demands on ballet dancers, pointing out that performers endure intense pain and hardship out of passion for their craft. She noted that even though the classical arts industry may face challenges, that does not mean audiences have lost interest.
Chalamet faced criticism after stating he would not want to work in opera or ballet just to preserve the art forms, claiming “no one cares about [opera or ballet] anymore.” He made the remarks during a CNN and Variety town hall in Austin on February 21, where he discussed the future of the film industry alongside Matthew McConaughey.
In response, several cultural institutions spoke out. The Metropolitan Opera posted a video showing staff preparing for a performance with the caption: “This one’s for you, Timothée Chalamet.”
