Misty Copeland responds to Timothée Chalamet’s ballet comments after helping promote 'Marty Supreme'

Misty Copeland is speaking out after Timothée Chalamet’s comments about ballet and opera sparked backlash, pointing out the irony that she previously helped promote his film Marty Supreme.

The celebrated ballerina said it was “very interesting” that Chalamet invited her to take part in promoting the movie given his remarks suggesting that “no one cares” about ballet and opera anymore.

Copeland addressed the issue during a public appearance, explaining that while ballet and opera may not dominate pop culture the way blockbuster films do, their significance remains undeniable. She emphasized that popularity does not determine an art form’s cultural impact and noted that classical performance traditions have endured for centuries.

“There’s a reason that opera and ballet have been around for over 400 years,” Copeland said while discussing the importance of preserving access to the arts and encouraging new audiences to discover them.

She also argued that different creative mediums are interconnected, adding that film itself has long drawn inspiration from classical performing arts. According to Copeland, the influence of ballet and opera has helped shape modern storytelling, including the work of actors like Chalamet.

The discussion comes after Chalamet’s comments during a public conversation with Matthew McConaughey, where he said he didn’t want to work in fields like ballet or opera where people feel the need to “keep this thing alive” despite a perception that audiences no longer care about them.

Chalamet’s remarks quickly sparked reactions from artists and institutions in the classical performing arts community. Copeland’s response adds another voice to the ongoing debate about the value of traditional art forms in modern culture, even as Hollywood continues to draw on their influence.