The 2026 Oscar season celebrated many moments in film. However, the theme of the show was a collective response to Timothée Chalamet’s comment saying no one cares about opera and ballet anymore, causing major backlash for the Oscar-nominated actor.
Still, the comment also raised an important question about the classical arts and whether the public is still showing interest in these art forms. In an era where entertainment is at your fingertips through social media, are these art forms still relevant?
In communities such as El Paso, not many people dedicate their lives to performing, nonetheless, the arts are part of many people’s childhood memories. Nayeli Espinoza, a psychology student at the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP), grew up practicing ballet.
“I was always in dance when I was a kid and until high school too. I think it’s a good way to express yourself, and a good art form, and I think it’s highly respected.” Espinoza said.
Many people also found how Chalamet made fun of ballet improper considering these are the backbone of many theatrical performances. Daniel Gutierrez, an environmental sciences student, acknowledges that Chalamet’s statement completely disregards the history of ballet and opera.
“I just thought it was, kind of like an off-handed remark, like when ping pong is already not a major sport, I would say, or something that a lot of people tune in for, compared to how ballet and opera have been a major thing for society for over 200 years,” Guiterrez said. “So, I just think it was, you know, a bit like in bad taste.”
One can conclude that not many people would pick ping pong over a ballet show. Amber Ramey, a computer science student, believes the local El Paso community stands with ballet.
“It’s [Ballet] definitely not a dying art form. I think that everyone still appreciates it. I mean, ‘Swan Lake’ is coming to El Paso, and I know everyone’s talking about it, so definitely not,” Ramey said. “I think if you’re around different people that appreciate art and it’s in every form and aspect that they appreciate ballet, they appreciate opera, and overall, they just have an appreciation for the work that goes into it and are willing to attend those things.”
Even though Chalamet’s comments upset many people, there is no denying that in recent years ballet and opera had not received as much attention as they did after his interview went viral on social media. Some might say this was a call to action to not let these forms of self-expression go extinct, and to support local talent.
Vivien Noe C. is a staff reporter at The Prospector and can be reached at [email protected]
