Timothée Chalamet's ballet and opera controversy, explained

Explaining the controversy surrounding the 'Marty Supreme' star.

The ballet and opera world's attention has been piquéd by a certain Hollywood star.

When Timothée Chalamet said "no one cares" about ballet or opera during a CNN and Variety town hall, posted on Feb. 24, it ignited a firestorm of rebuke among fans of these classical art forms.

The controversy was center stage at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, with jokes and even a famous ballerina making a very clear counterpoint. Chalamet did not win in the Best Actor category for "Marty Supreme" and played it cool despite multiple references to the comments during the night.

Here's what to know about how the conflict started in the first place and why it matters to everyday fans.

Social media erupted last month when video surfaced of Chalamet in conversation with Matthew McConaughey, in which Chalamet discussed Hollywood's business and the pressure to make movies hit at the box office.