Body Image through the years:

In recent years people have been referring to ballet as a sport that you originally had to be skinny for; however, this is far from the truth. In the beginning (around the Italian Renaissance) everybody - including dancers - was trying to be anything but skinny (this was a theme of the Renaissance). In the last century, choreographers have risen who started the skinny trend. Balanchine (most famously known for “The Nutcracker) is said to have wanted to “see the dancers’ bones.” The problem with this is that as dancers feel the need to be skinny, they also develop eating disorders in desperation to stay thin. Fortunately, dance companies and choreographers have started to notice this and have been moving towards dancers putting their health above their body image. This has become an even stronger drive and studies are being done that show better performance from dancers who are healthy compared to dancers who are skinny. Eating disorders are a serious issue for both male and female dancers, so while the news may make it seem dramatic (people getting removed from companies for having health issues) this is a step in the right direction (Mackrell).

Body Inclusion

When someone tells you to think of a ballerina, without realizing it you probably pictured someone thin and white. Along with many issues, the question that should arise with this is: why do such deep and rich stories, have to have such stereotypical borders? The “perfect” ballet image is something that wasn’t popular until the last century. The popular choreographer George Balanchine created the image, and it was his idea that lead to young ballerinas now having so many critiques of their bodies. But while many still face eating disorders due to the need of being skinny, there is hope. Misty Copeland is showing the world that not only do you not have to be white to dance, but you don’t have to be skinny. Copeland has been told multiple times - often by the ABT - that she should lose weight. But not only has Copeland defied them and stayed her weight, but she is also one of the most successful ballet dancers in the world. She has danced prestigious roles on huge stages, all while staying a weight that is healthy and makes her feel good about herself (Robinson).

Misty Copeland is a huge advocate for dancers of all body shapes and backgrounds. Here is a link to her website:

Misty Copeland

Society has been posing this question for many years and it adds onto the stress dancers face

SAB is one of the best ballet schools in the world and many of their dancers moved to the professional level to the NYC Ballet

Can Companies Help?

Many ballerinas face, or have faced, an internal struggle commonly seen as an eating disorder. While eating disorders are seen in every gender, anorexia (eating significantly less than what is healthy) is most commonly seen in female dancers. The good news though, is that companies have started to recognize this, and have been implementing ways to help fight eating disorders. Many ballet companies and schools now have nutritionists - along with various doctors and therapists - working with their dancers, and add a nutrition class to their schedule. The other thing that gives many hope, is that while many in ballet still face the inner demon that is anorexia, dancers in more modern styles face much less of it. Modern dance keeps showing that not only is it accepting of all body types, but it desires them. This shows progress that is leading to what is hopefully a much more inclusive and body positive future for dancers (Smith).

Speaking Out

For many dancers, a ballet body isn’t merely about being skinny, but it’s about the lines that you can make. You have to be thin enough to fit into the costumes, strong enough to complete all of the required movements, and flexible enough to create all of the desired lines with your body. Failure to meet just one of those requirements can mean that you fail as a dancer. However, a recent light is being shown on the truth of ballet. In a sport that traditionally champions silence, more people are speaking out than ever before. The pandemic has helped dancers realize the torture behind some of the strictness they face in their companies. Many of them find that they have less to lose than they thought, and are speaking out, recommending that dancers gain some muscle and weight, to help with their health, even if going to the gym is traditionally bad. Fortunatley, companies are taking steps - small as they may be - to let go of past stereotypes and embrace new aesthetics (Kourlas).

Kathryn Morgan was a soloist who was asked by multiple companies to lose weight but her doctor instructed her not to because of her own personal health problems. She left her last companies and, with nothing to lose, started telling her story

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