Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet's Relationship Reportedly 'Strained' by Ballet Comments Backlash

An industry insider says 'things are definitely tense' between Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet after the latter's disparaging comments about ballet and opera.

Sources to Hollywood insider Rob Shuter claim that Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner's relationship have been strained, all thanks to the backlash to Chalamet's opera and ballet comments. One source said Chalamet is definitely struggling in the aftermath.

Chalamet 'Under a Lot of Pressure'

'Timothée is under a lot of pressure right now and it's spilling into his personal life,' the source claimed. The controversy stemmed from a portion of Chalamet's conversation with Matthew McConaughey on 21 February, at the University of Texas at Austin's Moody College of Communication.

The pair was talking about the current state of theatrical releases and the industry overall. 'I admire people — and I've done it myself — who go on a talk show and say, "Hey, we've got to keep movie theatres alive, we've gotta keep this genre alive,''' Chalamet stated. 'And another part of me feels like if people want to see it, like Barbie, like Oppenheimer, they're going to go see it and go out of their way to be loud and proud about it.'

The Comment That Sparked a Backlash

The "Marty Supreme" actor then commented about the traditional performing arts. '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 said.

Based on his statements immediately after, he apparently realised he spoke out of turn. 'All respect to the ballet and opera people out there ... I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I'm taking shots for no reason.' McConaughey defused the situation, and they moved on.

That brief statement drew a wave of backlash from the ballet and opera communities, and from people involved in the arts in general. London's Royal Ballet and Opera, as well as The English National Opera, clapped back at Chalamet via Instagram.

The Seattle Opera gave a more brutal response, by offering 14% off on tickets to its production "Carmen," if customers purchase with the 'Timothée' promo code.

London-based dancer Anna Yliaho also had scathing words for Chalamet, on Instagram. 'Only an insecure artist tears down another discipline to elevate their own,' she wrote.

Sources Say the Couple's Relationship Is 'Tense'

People close to Chalamet and Jenner say the backlash is taking its toll, Shuter reported. 'They're trying to work through it,' he quoted. 'But right now, things are definitely tense.'

One source claimed Kylie is less affected by the backlash, considering the controversies the Jenner family has survived in the past. 'Kylie knows how the media storm works,' the source said. 'But Timothée is taking it very personally.'

'The Kardashian-Jenner family is used to backlash and public drama,' the source explained. 'They've dealt with it their entire careers. Timothée hasn't.'

Chalamet and Jenner have yet to address the issue. The couple is expected to walk the red carpet on 15 March at the 98th Academy Awards, where Chalamet's "Marty Supreme" has earned him a Best Actor nomination.