Doja Cat Blasts Timothée Chalamet’s ‘No One Cares’ Comments About Ballet and Opera

Doja Cat has taken issue with actor Timothée Chalamet for making dismissive remarks about ballet and opera, which he referred to as art forms that “nobody cares about.” The rapper and singer, known for her frank opinions, voiced her displeasure in a TikTok video that has since been removed. Her comments come in light of Chalamet’s remarks during a recent town hall meeting, where he appeared alongside former co-star Matthew McConaughey.

In her TikTok response, Doja Cat — whose real name is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini — argued that both ballet and opera have rich histories, with ballet spanning 500 years and opera 400 years. The 30-year-old performer expressed disbelief that someone like Chalamet would make such an assertion, remarking, “Somebody named Tim-oh-tay Cha-lam-et had the nerve — big guy, by the way — to say, on camera, that nobody cares about it.”

Throughout her video, Doja Cat reinforced the idea that these art forms are not only integral to culture but also come with a certain decorum and respect. She elaborated, saying, “I’m sure you can walk into an opera theatre right now, seats will be filled out and nobody’s saying a word as the performance is going because everybody has that much respect for it.” Her emphasis on etiquette highlighted a critical aspect of these performance arts that she believes is often overlooked.

Chalamet’s comments reportedly stemmed from his feelings about the challenges facing the performing arts sector, a reflection he shared during the discussion. He expressed reluctance to work in fields that he perceives as struggling, stating, “I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though, like, no one cares about this anymore.’” The response from the audience was mixed, signalling a sense of humour but also contributing to the backlash.

However, many performers and institutions within the ballet and opera communities voiced their discontent with Chalamet’s statements. The Metropolitan Opera responded with a poignant rebuttal, sharing a montage on their official TikTok account that showcased the dedication and effort of the cast and crew. The video’s caption directly referenced Chalamet’s comments, asserting their respect for those involved in these art forms.

Doja Cat’s video went beyond mere criticism; she made a broader statement about the passion and commitment of artists in the ballet and opera scene. She noted the ongoing dedication from dancers, singers, and audiences alike, even during tough times in the industry, stating, “It doesn’t matter if the industry is having a tough time…People care. The dancers care, the singers care, the audience cares. There’s still an audience.”

Concluding her remarks, Doja Cat touched upon the etiquette associated with attending performances, urging Chalamet to adopt a more respectful attitude toward these disciplines. “People give a f—k. You show up in a nice outfit. You sit the f–k down and shut the f–k up. That’s the usual etiquette around those things. Maybe learn something from that,” she advised.

Since Chalamet made his initial comments, he has found himself in the centre of a media storm, facing criticism from various quarters. The town hall interaction, originally intended as a light-hearted discussion, has ignited a serious conversation about the value and significance of traditional art forms in contemporary culture.

As the backlash continues, both Doja Cat and the ballet and opera communities have made it clear that such art forms demand respect and recognition, not dismissal. It remains to be seen how Chalamet will handle the unfolding situation and whether he will engage further with this important discourse on the relevance of cultural traditions in the performing arts.