Actor Timothée Chalamet, who has been embroiled in controversy for remarks denigrating ballet and opera, was mocked at the Academy Awards as well.
Timothée Chalamet attended the 98th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on the afternoon of the 15th (local time) as a nominee for best actor.
Conan O'Brien, who hosted the ceremony that day, drew attention by making a joking criticism of Chalamet in the opening, referring to Chalamet's earlier remarks that appeared to denigrate ballet and opera.
Conan O'Brien opened by saying, "Security is very tight tonight. I should definitely mention that. I've heard there are concerns about possible attacks from both the opera and ballet communities." The camera then caught Timothée Chalamet and his partner Kylie in the audience.
Conan O'Brien went on to say to Chalamet, "They're just upset because you skipped jazz." Timothée Chalamet maintained a quiet smile at the remark.
In earlier interviews released by U.S. outlets Variety and CNN, Timothée Chalamet said, "I want to work in fields of art that people care about. I don't want to work in places like ballet or opera, where no one cares anymore, in a way that says 'we have to keep this alive,'" prompting controversy.
The remark led to controversy. Afterwards, Whoopi Goldberg, Jamie Lee Curtis and Nathan Lane criticized Chalamet's thoughtlessness. Director Steven Spielberg also noted, "At the end of a good cinematic experience we all leave the theater feeling the same emotion. Such experiences don't happen only in films and concerts. For the record, they also happen in ballet and opera."
Earlier, while promoting the 2019 film The King: Henry V, Timothée Chalamet had referred to ballet and opera as "art forms that are disappearing."
Timothée Chalamet was nominated for best actor for the film Marty Supreme, and the award went to Michael B. Jordan for the film Sinners: The Conscience.
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