Just before the last Oscars, Timothée Chalamet sparked a controversy by casting doubt on the public interest in ballet and opera.

Several artists belonging to the art forms blasted the Academy-nominated actor for what they said were insensitive remarks.

But not Monico Barbaro. 

A ballet dancer herself, she came to Chalamet’s defense on a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

Being starred alongside him on A Complete Unknown, she said, “You’re the first person to ask me about this.”

Revealing Chalamet’s sister is also a dancer, Barbaro shared, “I can’t possibly know exactly where he was coming from when he said that, but one of the conversations we had on set was about his sister being a dancer, and he was actually saying it from a very hats-off, respect-kind of place.”

The actress argued the Dune star’s remarks may have been misunderstood; instead, he was likely pointing to the declining audience for ballet and opera rather than slamming the art forms.

“I feel like that was something where he was expressing something in a way that made it sound like it was about respect for the art form, when really I think it is about audiences for that art form.”

“And I do think audiences are dwindling for those kinds of art forms,” she said.

Before capping it off, Barbaro added, “I don’t know that that’s what he was saying, but that’s my personal takeaway.”

She also joked, “I’m a Gemini. I try to see all sides. I think in a way, there is some truth to that statement in a way that I would like to not lead with offence.”