Michael B. Jordan Wins Best Actor; Chalamet's 'Dying Art' Comments Blamed for Loss

• Michael B. Jordan won Best Actor at the 98th Academy Awards, defeating Timothée Chalamet.
• Chalamet's controversial comments calling opera and ballet "dying art forms" are speculated to have cost him the Oscar.
• The remarks, made in a Variety and CNN interview, drew widespread backlash from the film industry and Academy members like Steven Spielberg.
• Ballerina Misty Copeland's surprise performance at the Oscars and regional arts organizations' actions were seen as direct retorts.
• Oscars 2026 host Conan O'Brien also trolled Chalamet during his opening monologue.