# Ballet Royalty Strikes Back: Misty Copeland Claps Back at Timothée Chalamet's Shocking Dismissal of Ballet and Opera Imagine the world's most iconic ballerina calling out Hollywood's heartthrob for shading her life's work—**that's exactly what Misty Copeland just did**, turning Timothée Chalamet's viral quip into a masterclass on art's true value.[1][2] In a fiery panel discussion, Copeland—the first Black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre—responded to Chalamet's bold claim that "no one cares" about ballet and opera. She pointed out the irony: Chalamet personally invited her to promote his film *Marty Supreme*. Back in November 2025, they collaborated on an Instagram post where Copeland rocked the movie's signature windbreaker alongside a throwback photo of her young self en pointe, captioned with the film's "Dream Big" slogan.[1][2] "I have to say that it's very interesting that [Chalamet] invited me to be part of promoting *Marty Supreme* with respect to my art form," she remarked, highlighting how ballet intersects with his projects.[1] But Copeland didn't stop at shade—she defended the **enduring power of ballet and opera**. These 400-year-old art forms aren't chasing pop culture trends like movies, she explained, but that doesn't diminish their cultural impact. "It's often mistaken when something is more popular that it's more meaningful or impactful," she said. Crucially, she argued Chalamet "wouldn't be an actor and have the opportunities he has as a movie star if it weren't for opera and ballet and their relevance in that medium." No comparisons needed—these arts paved the way for modern storytelling on screen.[1][2] Her words have sparked a wave of support. Dance companies and opera houses, from LA's Music Center to Seattle Opera and Pacific Northwest Ballet, seized the moment with promo codes tied to the controversy, offering discounted tickets to draw in new fans.[1] Copeland's mission? Expand access to ballet, proving its relevance endures beyond spotlights and ticket sales.[2]
Citations
1.https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2026-03-11/misty-copeland-timothee-chalamet-ballet-opera-diss-marty-supreme
2.https://www.tmz.com/2026/03/11/misty-copeland-slams-timothee-chalamet-ballet-opera-comments/
3.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl_tppd2A8o
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