‘AI Could Do His Job’: Charlize Theron Criticizes Timothée Chalamet Over Opera Comments

In February, during a conversation with Oscar-winning actor and Interstellar co-star Matthew McConaughey, Timothée Chalamet grabbed headlines for his comments about ballet and opera. Since then, many celebrities have clapped back at him for his insensitive comment. And now, another actress, Charlize Theron, has taken issue with the actor’s comments.

The two actors discussed the importance of preserving cinema by creating films that audiences will want to pay to watch. During the conversation, according to The Daily Beast, Chalamet said, "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."

At that time, the actor was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in Marty Supreme. He further laughed at his comment, saying, "All respect to the ballet and opera people out there...”

The actor's comments irked many, inviting criticism from opera singers and ballet dancers. Opera legend Andrea Bocelli said, "Opera and ballet are art forms that have crossed centuries and continue to speak to the human heart, because they answer a deep need for beauty, truth and emotion.”

Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron also echoed the same sentiments and warned the actor over his contentious comment.

The 50-year-old actress addressed Timothee Chalamet's comments in an interview with The New York Times and responded to his comments. She said, "Oh, boy, I hope I run into him one day. That was a very reckless comment on an art form, two art forms, that we need to lift up constantly because, yes, they do have a hard time.”

She then said, "In 10 years, AI is going to be able to do Timothee’s job, but it will not be able to replace a person on a stage dancing live. And we shouldn’t [expletive] on other art forms." Calling dancers 'superheroes' and the art form 'borderline abusive', the Monster actress further added, "Dance is ­probably one of the hardest things I ever did.

There were several times that I had blood infections from blisters that just never healed. And you don’t get a day off. I’m literally talking about bleeding through your shoes. And that’s something that you have to practice every single day, the mindset of just, you don’t give up, there’s no other option."

Among those who criticized Chalamet were Whoopi Goldberg, who advised him to “be careful, boy,” and Conan O’Brien, who joked about the controversy in his Oscars opening monologue. Choreographer Martin Chaix, taking a dig at the actor, said, "If anything, in a world where AI is reshaping cinema faster than most realize, the unmediated human presence of ballet and opera becomes more essential, not less. I hope he finds his way into a theatre.”

Jamie Lee Curtis also took potshots at the actor and said, "Why are any artists taking shots at any other artists?”