Conan O'Brien Makes a 'Ballet' Joke at the Oscars: How Did Timothée Chalamet React?

An audience camera showed Timothée Chalamet laughing off Conan O'Brien's 'ballet' joke at the Oscars.

Conan O'Brien briefly put Chalamet in the hot seat at this year's Academy Awards, and it seemed the actor chose to roll with the punches.

In his opening monologue, O'Brien took shots at several issues facing the movie industry and US politics in general. O'Brien also ribbed at a handful of celebrity issues, including Chalamet's disparaging comments about the traditional performing arts.

Chalamet's Interview Fumble Sparks Backlash

Matthew McConaughey and Chalamet were contemplating the state of the industry in a recent Variety interview, when the latter offhandedly referred to ballet and opera as dying 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,' Chalamet said.

He immediately realised the fumble and backtracked. 'All respect to the ballet and opera people out there ... I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I'm taking shots for no reason,' he added. The comments have since sparked backlash from the ballet and opera communities.

Conan Opens Oscar Speech with 'Ballet' Joke

O'Brien poked fun at the controversy early in his monologue. 'Security is extremely tight tonight, I've just got to mention that. I'm told there's concerns about attacks from both the opera and ballet communities,' he said. The camera then focuses on Chalamet and his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, seated amidst the star-studded audience.

The couple seemingly took the joke in stride, both nodding and laughing off the comment. O'Brien then took another jab, saying 'They're just mad you left out jazz,' which was followed by a wave of gasps from the audience.

Despite calls for an apology, neither Chalamet nor Jenner has addressed the controversy. Chalamet's most prominent detractors include London-based dancer Anna Yliaho, who called out the actor on Instagram.

The Ballet and Opera Communities Speak Out

'Heyy Timothée Chalamet..promoting your own craft while simultaneously putting down other art forms is cringeee,' Yliaho wrote in a post. 'Genuine question, is he aware that everything that happens on screen is under a far bigger threat from AI than ballet or opera will ever face?'

'As a classically trained dancer, Timothée, I can assure you that ballet is very much alive. People crave real, live, human performance more than ever in the middle of all this AI junk,' she added.

'Only an insecure artist tears down another discipline to elevate their own. And really, in all honesty, from all ballet and opera people out here, I can ASSURE you, Timothée — ballet or opera was never even an option for you in the first place,' she also remarked.

Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis also weighed in on Chalamet's statement. 'His comments are silly, and I'm sorry that they're going to be a bit of his legacy now,' Curtis told The Hollywood Reporter. 'I'm sure he regrets the comment because you can't throw those art forms under a bus. You can't do it. They're too important.'

London's Royal Ballet and Opera and The English National Opera have been more forgiving with Chalamet, both inviting the Marty Supreme star to experience their theatre productions.