Steven Spielberg defends ballet, opera after Timothée Chalamet’s controversial remarks

Steven Spielberg reacted to Timothée Chalamet’s ballet and opera comments, saying those art forms should endure

Steven Spielberg has weighed in on the debate sparked by Timothée Chalamet’s recent comments about ballet and opera, emphasizing the enduring importance of shared cultural experiences.

Speaking during a keynote conversation at the South by Southwest festival, Spielberg discussed the value of movie theaters and the communal power of watching films together.

While noting that he appreciates streaming platforms and enjoys collaborating with companies like Netflix, the legendary director said the magic of cinema still lies in the collective experience of audiences gathering in theaters.

“For me, the real experience comes when we can influence a community to congregate in a strange, dark space where all of us are strangers,” Spielberg said, describing how audiences leave a great film feeling emotionally connected.

He added that the same kind of shared experience can be found not only in movies but also in concerts, ballet and opera.

The director’s remarks appeared to gently push back against comments Chalamet made during a recent town hall discussion with Matthew McConaughey.

During that conversation, Chalamet joked that he would not want to work in ballet or opera where people feel the need to “keep something alive” even though, as he suggested, fewer audiences are interested in those art forms.

Chalamet later acknowledged he was “taking shots for no reason” and joked that the comment might cost the broadcast a small drop in viewership.

The remarks quickly sparked backlash from several high-profile figures. Whoopi Goldberg criticized the actor on The View, calling the comments “vapid and shallow.”

Meanwhile, renowned ballerina Misty Copeland also pushed back, pointing out that Chalamet had featured her in promotional material for his film Marty Supreme before making the remarks about ballet.

Other artists, including Juliette Binoche and opera singer Andrea Bocelli, voiced criticism as well. Singer Doja Cat initially joined the backlash but later walked back her comments, admitting she partly weighed in to draw attention to the debate.

Spielberg, however, made clear that he believes these experiences, whether in theaters, concert halls or opera houses, remain culturally vital. “We want that to be sustained,” he said. “We want that to go forever.”