Timothée Chalamet and Steven Spielberg nearly cross paths at Oscars After opera controversy

Timothée Chalamet and legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg nearly came face-to-face on the red carpet at the 98th Academy Awards, just days after the director publicly criticized the actor over his controversial remarks about ballet and opera.

The brief moment occurred Sunday, March 15, outside the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

In a video captured by eTalk TV, Spielberg, 79, was seen walking into the venue with his granddaughter, Eve Gavigan, when Chalamet, 30, nearly brushed shoulders with them while being escorted inside.

The near run-in comes shortly after Spielberg appeared to address Chalamet’s recent claim that “no one cares” about art forms like opera and ballet.

Speaking at the SXSW Conference and Festival on March 13, the Oscar-winning director emphasized the emotional power of traditional performing arts.

“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,” Spielberg said during the panel.

“And there’s nothing like that. It happens in movies, and in concerts.”

He then added, to applause from the audience, “And it happens in ballet and opera, by the way. We want that to be sustained. We want that to go forever.”

Chalamet’s comments first surfaced during a filmed town hall conversation with Matthew McConaughey at the University of Texas at Austin on Feb. 24, hosted by Variety and CNN.

During the discussion about current entertainment trends, the actor said he had little interest in pursuing work in traditional performing arts.

“I don't want to be working in ballet or opera, or things where it's like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive,’ even though it's like, no one cares about this anymore,” Chalamet said, before adding, “All respect to all the ballet and opera people out there.”

The remark quickly sparked backlash from across the entertainment industry.

Figures who publicly pushed back included ballet star Misty Copeland, opera singer Andrea Bocelli and television personality Whoopi Goldberg, among others.

Despite the controversy, Chalamet still attended the Oscars as a Best Actor nominee for Marty Supreme.

The award ultimately went to Michael B. Jordan for his dual role in Sinners.

The actor also appeared to lean into the moment during the ceremony.

According to reports, Chalamet gave a standing ovation following a performance by Copeland celebrating Sinners, the most nominated film of the night.

The 98th Academy Awards aired live on ABC and streamed on Hulu.