Photo Credit:Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
Doja Cat has responded to comments made by Timothée Chalamet about opera and ballet, defending the long-standing art forms and the performers who dedicate their lives to them.
The Grammy-winning rapper addressed the topic in a TikTok video that was later deleted, reacting to remarks Chalamet made during a February town hall hosted by CNN and _Variety_ in Austin, Texas. During the event, the actor discussed the future of entertainment while speaking with Matthew McConaughey and suggested that some artistic mediums continue mainly out of tradition.
“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,’” Chalamet said at the event, before adding, “All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there.”His remarks quickly circulated online and drew criticism from artists and institutions connected to the performing arts.
The rapper also highlighted the atmosphere and respect typically associated with live performances in opera houses and ballet theaters. “I’m sure you can walk into an opera theater 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,” she said.
According to Doja Cat, etiquette and dedication are central to these art forms, both for audiences and performers. She described the medium as “an amazing theater” that people continue to support. She also emphasized the intense commitment required of dancers and performers, noting that dancers regularly endure physical strain because of their passion for the craft.
While acknowledging that many creative industries experience difficult periods, the rapper argued that challenges do not mean audiences have lost interest. “Your industry has a tough time, my industry has a tough time,” she said. “Doesn’t mean people don’t care about it. People care. The dancers care, the singers care, the audience cares. There’s still an audience.”
Doja Cat concluded her message by encouraging Chalamet to understand the traditions surrounding these performances. “People give a f---k,” she said. “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.”
The comments come as several organizations and performers have spoken out following Chalamet’s remarks. The Metropolitan Opera also appeared to respond online, sharing a behind-the-scenes video of performers preparing for a show with a caption referencing the actor’s statement.
