Timothée Chalamet’s ghosts have come back to haunt him.
A video unearthed by the Library for the Performing Arts showed a young Chalamet performing in a ballet recital.
The actor recently caught flak for throwing shade at opera and ballet, claiming that no one is interested in them anymore. Following the controversy, he suffered a big loss at the 2026 Oscars.
Timothée Chalamet Was Once In A Romeo & Juliet Ballet Recital
Ballet has apparently been a significant part of Chalamet’s life since he was a young child, despite recent discussions suggesting otherwise.
On Tuesday, the New York Public Library of the Performing Arts shared a rare archival video on Instagram featuring the 30-year-old actor during his childhood.
In the footage, a six-year-old Chalamet is seen performing in a professional ballet production of “Romeo & Juliet.” Dressed in a traditional leotard and sporting cupid-like wings, the future Oscar nominee is captured hoisting a bow and arrow as part of the choreography, per People Magazine.
The post’s caption read, “Before the red carpets and big screens, 6-year-old Timothée Chalamet took the stage in the ballet Romeo & Juliet, choreographed by Jacques d’Amboise, captured here in footage preserved at NYPL’s Library for the Performing Arts.”
The ‘Dune’ Actor Received Heavy Backlash For His Comments About Ballet
This footage release comes at a sensitive time for the “Marty Supreme” star, as it follows a wave of public outcry over his recent comments about these art forms.
The controversy began during a conversation with Matthew McConaughey, in which the two actors discussed the challenge of maintaining audience attention in an era of short-form content.
During the exchange, Chalamet expressed his conflict over the need to constantly campaign for specific genres or the survival of movie theaters. According to The Blast, he argued that if an audience truly wants to see something, they will show up for it without being persuaded.
“I don’t 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,” he said.
Although he immediately tried to laugh off the remark as a “cheap shot,” the comment quickly went viral and offended professionals worldwide. Renowned opera singer Isabel Leonard publicly criticized the actor, calling his views “narrow-minded” and “ineloquent.”
Timothée Chalamet Once Visited A Theatre To Promote His Film
While Leonard and other professionals expressed their disappointment in Chalamet’s remarks, another resurfaced video suggests that his views on the classical arts have remained consistent for years.
A TikTok user shared a clip from October 1, 2019, taken during a surprise theater appearance where Chalamet was promoting his historical drama, “The King.” The fan, who originally expected the actor to say something positive, expressed their frustration after realizing Chalamet had harbored these opinions long before his recent Oscar loss.
In the footage, the actor is heard comparing his work to opera and ballet, which he explicitly labeled as a “dying art form,” per The Blast.
Steven Spielberg Gave His Two Cents On Timothée Chalamet’s Remarks
While fans and critics continue to debate Chalamet’s past remarks, one of Hollywood’s most legendary figures added his voice to the conversation.
Director Steven Spielberg joined a list of celebrities, including Andrea Bocelli and the hosts of “The View,” to weigh in on the matter.
The Blast reported that during an appearance at SXSW, the iconic filmmaker spoke passionately about the unique power of the cinematic experience and its ability to turn a room full of strangers into a united community.
Spielberg noted that this same magic occurs during live concerts, before specifically adding, “And it happens in ballet and opera, by the way.” His remark, which clearly referenced Chalamet’s claims, was met with immediate laughter and cheers from the audience.
Insiders Shed Light On Timothée Chalamet’s Oscar Loss
Besides receiving backlash for his recent comments, Chalamet also lost out on winning an Oscar despite being the frontrunner for his role in “Marty Supreme.” He ultimately lost the Best Actor award to Michael B. Jordan.
According to The Blast, reports from Academy voters indicate that while his talent is widely recognized, his off-screen attitude was deeply off-putting during the campaign season.
Industry insiders further argued that Chalamet gained a reputation for being “difficult” on set and during marketing discussions, while another voter claimed that he was “arrogant.”
