‘No one cares’ Timothée Chalamet’s remarks on ballet and opera spark conversations at UMKC 

 A recent interview clip of Timothée Chalamet claiming “no one cares” about ballet and opera anymore has caused an uproar of criticism online and from students at the UMKC Conservatory.

  “It was a very careless comment,” said Taryn Sydzyik, a freshman dance major. ”While there is some truth to ballet and opera not being as universally valued as film and movies, I still felt like it was very rude of him to make a comment on that.”

  Many felt like Chalamet’s comment diminished all the work and energy that goes into the arts. From long hours to body aches, student performers said dance involves rigorous training. 

  “I’m constantly sore and in pain with the dance program here cause we’re always pushing ourselves,” said Sydzyik. “Each year it gets better and everyone’s just evolving.”

  “Being dismissive of any art form is easy and thoughtless. We do difficult things and make them look easy. We deserve respect,” said Interim Director of Opera at UMKC Linda Ade Brand.

  These art forms have been around for centuries and remain valued by many. The dismissiveness ignores how valuable art like ballet and opera is.

  “Just because our art form isn’t as mainstream as acting, that doesn’t mean it’s any less valuable,” said Hannah Tracy, a freshman dance major. 

  Chalamet’s comment has brought to light his family’s history within dance. His mother was a professional ballerina, having danced with the New York City Ballet as a child. Chalamet has also said his grandmother and sister have done ballet. 

  With his family history, it’s easy to see his comment as a misunderstanding. Though many people think Chalamet should have known better because of his own involvement in the arts. 

  “He has spent his life in the performing arts, especially growing up with his mother and grandmother being dancers,” Brand said. “I’d like to think he was reflecting the frustrations of opera and ballet, always needing to get past stereotypes and invigorate their audiences. Because if he didn’t mean that, I’d be disappointed. He knows better.”

  Actors are storytellers in their films, as are dancers in ballet and singers in opera. In the age of technology and AI, storytelling and live performances get people to keep interacting with each other. 

  “We’re storytellers, and when you add music and movement to a story, it resonates in ways that are truly greater than the sum of its parts,” said Brand. “There’s nothing like live performance.”