Doja Cat Retracts Criticism of Timothée Chalamet Over Opera and Ballet Comments
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 01: Doja Cat attends the 2025 LACMA Art+Film Gala at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on November 01, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Frazer Harrison
by Chris Tremblay Mar 13
3 MIN READ
Singer Doja Cat has walked back her public criticism of actor Timothée Chalamet following his remarks dismissing the contemporary relevance of opera and ballet.
The sequence of events began on February 21, 2026, when Chalamet participated in a CNN-Variety town hall in Austin, Texas, alongside actor Matthew McConaughey, discussing the future of the movie industry. During the discussion, Chalamet compared the film industry's challenges to those faced by opera and ballet, stating he would not pursue work in those fields merely to sustain them because "no one cares about anymore."
Chalamet's comments quickly drew backlash from the arts community. The Metropolitan Opera responded pointedly by posting a video of staff preparing for a performance, captioned "This one's for you, Timothée Chalamet," underscoring the vibrancy of their operations. Other opera and ballet institutions echoed this sentiment, defending the enduring popularity and cultural significance of their art forms despite financial struggles in the sector.
On March 9, 2026, Doja Cat joined the criticism of Timothée Chalamet via a video on her TikTok account, @dojacat. In the post, she defended the history of opera and ballet—noting they are approximately 400 and 500 years old, respectively—and argued that opera houses remain "completely packed" with dedicated fans. Intentionally mispronouncing his name, she stated he "had the nerve" to claim no one cares about these art forms, specifically highlighting the "intense pain and suffering" ballet dancers endure out of passion for their craft.
However, Doja Cat's stance shifted rapidly. In a follow-up video posted on March 11, 2026, she retracted her criticism and admitted she had been "virtue signaling" to garner social media approval. She confessed that she has never actually seen an opera or attended a ballet and realized she was speaking on a topic she knew "nothing" about. While she maintained that Chalamet’s phrasing was poor, she admitted she now believes his broader point—that these are struggling, niche industries—is largely true.
This backtrack was covered by Entertainment Weekly and other major outlets, noting Doja Cat’s admission that she used the controversy primarily for "clicks" and to connect with the online outrage culture.
The incident has sparked broader conversations about the perceived decline of classical performing arts in the digital age. While Chalamet has not publicly responded to Doja Cat's initial video or retraction, the exchange underscores tensions between contemporary pop culture figures and traditional arts advocates. Opera and ballet, long-standing pillars of Western cultural heritage, continue to navigate funding issues amid streaming dominance, but recent sold-out performances at major venues counter narratives of irrelevance.
Regarding LGBTQ+ perspectives, opera and ballet have historically served as spaces of expression for queer artists and audiences, with many prominent performers identifying as part of the community. Figures like dancer Rudolf Nureyev and singer Peter Sellars have shaped these genres, and institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera have increasingly featured diverse, inclusive programming. Chalamet's remarks, while not directly targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, intersect with discussions on arts accessibility for marginalized groups, including transgender people and others in the performing arts who rely on these venues for visibility. Community responses on social media have affirmed the importance of sustaining these spaces, with some queer advocates praising Doja Cat's initial defense before her retraction.
Neither Chalamet nor Doja Cat has issued further statements as of March 12, 2026. The brief controversy highlights how celebrity opinions can amplify debates on cultural preservation, even if later moderated.
Chalamet's comments quickly drew backlash from the arts community. The Metropolitan Opera responded pointedly by posting a video of staff preparing for a performance, captioned "This one's for you, Timothée Chalamet," underscoring the vibrancy of their operations. Other opera and ballet institutions echoed this sentiment, defending the enduring popularity and cultural significance of their art forms despite financial struggles in the sector.
On March 9, 2026, Doja Cat joined the criticism of Timothée Chalamet via a video on her TikTok account, @dojacat. In the post, she defended the history of opera and ballet—noting they are approximately 400 and 500 years old, respectively—and argued that opera houses remain "completely packed" with dedicated fans. Intentionally mispronouncing his name, she stated he "had the nerve" to claim no one cares about these art forms, specifically highlighting the "intense pain and suffering" ballet dancers endure out of passion for their craft.
However, Doja Cat's stance shifted rapidly. In a follow-up video posted on March 11, 2026, she retracted her criticism and admitted she had been "virtue signaling" to garner social media approval. She confessed that she has never actually seen an opera or attended a ballet and realized she was speaking on a topic she knew "nothing" about. While she maintained that Chalamet’s phrasing was poor, she admitted she now believes his broader point—that these are struggling, niche industries—is largely true.
This backtrack was covered by Entertainment Weekly and other major outlets, noting Doja Cat’s admission that she used the controversy primarily for "clicks" and to connect with the online outrage culture.
The incident has sparked broader conversations about the perceived decline of classical performing arts in the digital age. While Chalamet has not publicly responded to Doja Cat's initial video or retraction, the exchange underscores tensions between contemporary pop culture figures and traditional arts advocates. Opera and ballet, long-standing pillars of Western cultural heritage, continue to navigate funding issues amid streaming dominance, but recent sold-out performances at major venues counter narratives of irrelevance.
Regarding LGBTQ+ perspectives, opera and ballet have historically served as spaces of expression for queer artists and audiences, with many prominent performers identifying as part of the community. Figures like dancer Rudolf Nureyev and singer Peter Sellars have shaped these genres, and institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera have increasingly featured diverse, inclusive programming. Chalamet's remarks, while not directly targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, intersect with discussions on arts accessibility for marginalized groups, including transgender people and others in the performing arts who rely on these venues for visibility. Community responses on social media have affirmed the importance of sustaining these spaces, with some queer advocates praising Doja Cat's initial defense before her retraction.
Neither Chalamet nor Doja Cat has issued further statements as of March 12, 2026. The brief controversy highlights how celebrity opinions can amplify debates on cultural preservation, even if later moderated.
Copyright EDGE Media Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
