If Timothy Chalamet currently promoting his Marty Supreme movie at a town hall hosted by Variety can be believed ballet and opera are a dying art form. But he didn’t just voice an opinion. He mocked and then he doubled down by being rude and dismissive and proved he is indeed a bit of a wonka.

People have come out to support Chalamet. Opinion pieces in Vanity Fair and The New York Times to name a couple of instances. Suggesting we should just get a grip. But here’s another fact, support for Chalamet from Vanity Fair and The New York Times aren’t agreeing with him because he’s right. They’re agreeing with him because they make more money off supporting the Chalamets of this world than they do Svetlana Zakharova (Bolshoi), Tiler Peck (NYCB) and Misty Copeland (ABT).

It also is just another example of the current state of upmanship that is running rampant. Why do some have to build themselves up by bringing others down? Is there not room for everyone and all the arts to coexist? Do we not all benefit when we support each other? Is respect for the talents of others no longer a thing?

We can be great while acknowledging the greatness in others. We can build a kind, empathetic society that values all art forms, all artists.

Until next time…be kind to each other.

The last word goes to Nathan Lane because I love him.