Steven Spielberg is weighing in on a growing debate about traditional art forms after Timothée Chalamet stirred controversy by suggesting that audiences no longer care about ballet and opera. The conversation picked up fresh momentum after Spielberg addressed the topic during a panel at the 2026 SXSW Conference and Festival on Friday.
The legendary filmmaker, now 79, spoke about the emotional impact that shared artistic experiences can have on audiences. While discussing what makes storytelling powerful, he pushed back on the idea that classical performance arts no longer resonate with people.
His comments came after Chalamet’s remarks from a recent town hall discussion began circulating widely online and sparked strong reactions from artists and institutions tied to ballet and opera.
During the SXSW panel, Spielberg reflected on the feelings audiences carry with them after a powerful creative experience.
“At the end of a really good movie experience, we are all united with a whole bunch of feelings that we walk into the daylight with, or into the nighttime with.”
For Spielberg, that kind of emotional connection is not limited to films alone.
“And there’s nothing like that. It happens in movies, and in concerts. And it happens in ballet and opera, by the way,” Spielberg said during the panel, according to Variety.
The audience applauded as he continued, emphasizing the importance of keeping those artistic traditions alive.
“We want that to be sustained. We want that to go forever.”
The comments were seen as a response to remarks Chalamet made during a town hall event produced by Variety and CNN where he spoke with actor Matthew McConaughey. The discussion aired on CNN on Feb. 21 and included a broader conversation about entertainment, audiences, and cultural trends.
While explaining his views, the 30 year old actor talked about how audiences decide which art forms continue to thrive.
“I admire people, and I’ve done it myself, who go on a talk show and say, ‘Hey, we’ve got to keep movie theaters alive, we’ve gotta keep this genre alive,’ and another part of me feels like if people want to see it, like ‘Barbie,’ like ‘Oppenheimer,’ they’re going to go see it and go out of their way to be loud and proud about it.”
But Chalamet then made the comment that quickly went viral.
He said he does not “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.’”
“All respect to the ballet and opera people out there … I just lost 14 cents in viewership. I’m taking shots for no reason,” continued the Academy Award nominee.
Not long after the interview spread online, organizations connected to the arts responded publicly. The Royal Ballet and Opera issued a statement to the Hollywood Reporter defending the continued importance of these centuries old art forms.
“Ballet and opera have never existed in isolation — they have continually informed, inspired, and elevated other art forms.”
“Their influence can be felt across theatre, film, contemporary music, fashion, and beyond,” the statement continued. “For centuries, these disciplines have shaped the way artists create and audiences experience culture, and today millions of people around the world continue to enjoy and engage with them.”
Individual performers also weighed in with strong reactions.
US opera singer Isabel Leonard reportedly wrote on Instagram, “Honestly, I’m shocked that someone so seemingly successful can be so ineloquent and narrow-minded in his views about art while considering himself as an artist as I would only imagine one would as an actor.”
She added, “To take cheap shots at fellow artists says more in this interview than anything else he could say. Shows a lot about his character.”
Canadian mezzo-soprano Deepa Johnny also joined the conversation in the comments, writing, “What a disappointing take. There is nothing more impressive than the magic of live theatre, ballet and opera.”
The debate continues as Chalamet heads into Sunday’s Oscars ceremony, where he is nominated for Best Actor for his performance in the sports drama “Marty Supreme.”
