- Timothée Chalamet caused controversy by stating that "no one cares" about ballet or opera during a discussion with Matthew McConaughey on audience attention spans.
- Opera singers, including Isabel Leonard and Deepa Johnny, criticised Chalamet's remarks as "disappointing" and "narrow-minded," suggesting they revealed a lack of understanding of art.
- The ballet community, through figures like choreographer Martin Chaix, countered Chalamet's view, asserting that ballet is "very much alive" and increasingly essential.
- Sir Alistair Spalding CBE, Artistic Director of Sadler's Wells, responded by saying dance is "constantly evolving" and "growing in popularity," attracting new, younger audiences.
- A spokesperson for the Royal Ballet and Opera emphasised the historical and ongoing influence of ballet and opera on other art forms, including film, and their continued global engagement.
IN FULL
