After Timothée Chalamet focused on the ballet and opera communities, which is what almost everyone in attendance at the 2026 Oscars could talk about.
“Security is very tight tonight,” the host Conan O'Brien he opened his monologue on Sunday, March 15. “I am told that there is concern about the tax from the opera and ballet communities.”
Chalamet, nominated for best actor in his role Marty Supremehe recently announced that he was not interested in any form of art.
“Some want to be happy quickly, I am in the middle because I serve people [saying]'Hey, we have to keep the movie theaters alive. We have to keep this species alive,'” said Chalamet Variety in February. “I don't want to work in ballet or opera where it's like, 'Hey, keep this thing alive, even though nobody cares anymore.'”
Chalamet, whose grandmother and mother are retired ballerinas, was quick to leave her comments and give “all respect to the ballet and opera people out there.”
“Damn, I just took pictures for no reason,” said the actor.
Chalamet did not continue to talk about the controversy before the Oscars or at the event itself.
Keep scrolling for a guide to every ballet and opera nominated for the 2026 Academy Awards:
Conan O'Brien's Monologue
Oscars host Conan O'Brien couldn't resist adding a joke about Timothée Chalamet's comments to his monologue.
“Security is very tight tonight. I just mentioned that,” O'Brien said. “I'm told there are concerns about the tax from the opera and ballet communities.”
O'Brien paused as the camera panned to Chalamet, who laughed wickedly as he ran away from the reference.
“They're just mad that you left out jazz,” added O'Brien.
Ballet pioneer
during the They are sinners musical tribute, the actors were accompanied Misty Copeland in its rendition of “I Lied To You.” (Copeland was the first black principal at the American Ballet Theater before retiring in 2025.)
“It looked like it was, but it wasn't,” Copeland said Vogue before Sunday's game, denying his performance was Timothée Chalamet's opposition. “I had agreed to do this before any of these things happened and I blew it the way it did.”
Ballet and Opera Can Change the World
Best Live Action Short Film was awarded Singers again Two People Exchanging Spit. During a recent acceptance speech, Alexandre Singh he touched two forms of art.
“We believe that art can change people's souls,” said Singh in his speech. “Maybe it takes 10 years, but we can change society through art, creativity [and] with theater and ballet… and cinema.”
Kevin O'Leary is still perfect for Timothee Chalamet
Timothy Chalamet.
Julian Hamilton / Getty ImagesOn the red carpet, Shark Tank star Kevin O'Leary thought that Timothée Chalamet's comments would not affect his chances of winning an Oscar.
“I just deposited 1,000 [betting app] “Kalshi comes in here thinking he's going to win,” said O'Leary Variety. “Because I know the polls stopped long before that controversy happened. He's a really nice guy, his mother is really nice. The kid is a nice kid. He took a rap from that. However, he gave a lot of promotion to the opera and ballet houses.”
