Meera reveals her fee for government-funded films

  Timothée Chalamet found himself at the centre of controversy shortly before the most recent Oscars after comments he made about ballet and opera sparked criticism from several artists associated with the two art forms. The Oscar-nominated actor was accused by some performers and artists of being dismissive toward ballet and opera, with critics arguing that his remarks showed a lack of appreciation for forms of art that have played an important role in cultural history. However, not everyone interpreted Chalamet’s comments in the same way. Actress and ballet dancer Monica Barbaro recently came to his defence while appearing on the podcast. Barbaro, who worked alongside Chalamet in A Complete Unknown, said she had not previously been asked about the controversy. “You’re the first person to ask me about this,” she said while discussing the issue. Barbaro explained that although she could not know exactly what Chalamet intended when he made the controversial comments, she remembered conversations they had during the filming of A Complete Unknown that gave her a different perspective on his views. According to Barbaro, Chalamet had spoken about his sister, who is also a dancer. She suggested that his comments may have come from a place of admiration and respect rather than criticism. In her view, he was not necessarily attempting to insult ballet or opera but was instead discussing the changing level of public interest in these traditional art forms. The actress said Chalamet’s words may have been interpreted differently from what he intended. She explained that she believed his point was more about the size and decline of audiences for ballet and opera than about questioning the value or importance of the art forms themselves. Barbaro acknowledged that audiences for ballet and opera have faced challenges in attracting wider public interest. She suggested that this could be a legitimate observation, even if the way Chalamet expressed it caused some people to take offence. At the same time, Barbaro was careful not to claim that she knew exactly what Chalamet had meant. She described her interpretation as her own personal takeaway rather than a definitive explanation of his comments. “I don’t know that that’s what he was saying,” Barbaro essentially acknowledged, making it clear that she was offering her personal understanding of the situation. The actress also brought some humour to the discussion by referring to her Gemini personality and saying that she tends to look at situations from different perspectives. Rather than immediately taking offence, she said she believed there could be some truth in Chalamet’s observation. Barbaro’s comments offer a different perspective on the controversy surrounding Chalamet. While some members of the ballet and opera communities viewed his remarks as insensitive, the actress believes his comments may have been more focused on the declining popularity and audience numbers of traditional performing arts. Her defence does not necessarily settle the debate over what Chalamet intended to say, but it highlights how comments about art and culture can sometimes be interpreted differently depending on the context in which they are made.

  Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has taken on another important royal responsibility after being confirmed as the new royal patron of the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team (AFPST). The appointment highlights her  growing investment in supporting wounded, injured and sick military personnel, as well as veterans who are rebuilding their lives after service. The announcement was made during Sophie’s recent visit to the Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead, where she met members of the organisation and learned more about its work. The engagement also marked her first official appearance in her new role as patron. The Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team is dedicated to helping wounded, injured and sick members of the armed forces and veterans through adaptive skiing, snowboarding and Nordic sports. The organisation uses sport not only as a form of physical activity but also as a way to help participants regain confidence, develop new skills and build a strong sense of community. During her visit, Sophie was welcomed by Elizabeth Winfield, the organisation’s chief operating officer. Winfield introduced the Duchess to the charity’s programmes and explained how the team supports military personnel and veterans through its various sporting activities. Following Sophie’s visit, Winfield described the Duchess’s appointment as a significant moment for the organisation. She said the royal patronage would strengthen AFPST’s ability to expand its work, reach more veterans and continue delivering programmes designed to have a meaningful impact on the lives of participants. She also highlighted the importance of Sophie meeting athletes in person, saying that her presence could provide greater visibility to their achievements and resilience. The organisation believes that increased awareness can help demonstrate the importance of adaptive sports programmes and the role they play in supporting veterans. Sophie’s new patronage has also drawn comparisons with the work of Prince Harry, particularly his involvement with the Invictus Games. Founded by Harry, the international sporting event provides wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans with an opportunity to compete in adaptive sports while promoting recovery, rehabilitation and community. The Invictus Games are scheduled to return to Birmingham, England, in July 2027. The upcoming event will bring together competitors from different countries and once again place the achievements of military veterans and wounded service personnel in the international spotlight. While Sophie’s role with AFPST is separate from the Invictus Games, both initiatives share a similar emphasis on using sport to support members of the armed forces community. Her new position could therefore create an interesting connection between the Duchess’s growing work in this area and Harry’s long-standing commitment to the Invictus movement. Sophie’s involvement may also open the possibility of her attending future Invictus Games events, particularly as the royal family continues to take on different responsibilities supporting veterans and serving military personnel. For now, her appointment gives AFPST a prominent new supporter and brings additional attention to adaptive winter sports. It also marks another step in Sophie’s expanding royal portfolio, particularly in areas focused on service, resilience, rehabilitation and the wellbeing of the armed forces community.