Doja Cat has publicly defended the art forms of opera and ballet after Timothée Chalamet dismissed them during a Variety and CNN town hall event. Addressing the “Timothée Chalamet opera controversy,” the rapper took to TikTok to express her disagreement with the actor’s remark that “nobody cares” about these classical disciplines.
In her video, Doja Cat stated,
“By the way, opera is 400 years old and ballet is 500 years old. Some guy named Timothée Chalamet, great guy by the way, had the audacity to tell the cameras that nobody cares about that [opera and ballet]. I’m pretty sure that if you went to an opera house right now, it would be packed, and everyone would be silent while the performance is happening, because they have so much respect for it. […] It’s something very beautiful!”
Background on Chalamet’s Comments and Industry Reactions
The controversy began when Chalamet expressed skepticism about the relevance of ballet and opera to modern audiences, saying,
“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore.’”
He added,
“all respect to the ballet and opera people out there. I just lost 14 cents in viewership.”
These remarks sparked backlash among fans and figures in the entertainment world.
Doja Cat, who boasts over 27 million TikTok followers and is known for hits like “Paint the Town Red,” “Kiss Me More,” and “Say So,” became the latest prominent voice to challenge Chalamet. Prior to her response, songwriter Diane Warren voiced her disapproval on X (formerly Twitter), and actress Jamie Lee Curtis shared a video criticizing the actor’s statements.
The National Board of Review also joined the conversation by posting a video honoring films featuring ballet and opera, while Saturday Night Live cast members took a humorous jab at Chalamet.
Doja Cat’s Role in the Cultural Debate Over Opera’s Place
Doja Cat’s defense highlights the enduring cultural value and dedicated audiences of opera and ballet, countering the idea that they are obsolete or ignored art forms. Her remarks emphasize respect for these long-standing traditions and suggest that their appeal remains strong despite changing entertainment preferences.
Her intervention in this ongoing discussion underscores a wider debate about how classical arts fit into contemporary culture, especially amid younger generations’ evolving tastes. The response from Doja Cat and others indicates the passion many artists and fans feel toward preserving the relevance of ballet and opera today.
Doja Cat comments on what Timothée Chalamet had said about ballet and opera recently. pic.twitter.com/Z2Gu1bXefd
— Doja HQ (@DojaHQs) March 8, 2026
