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Jennifer Ringer : Breaking the Stereotype of the Ballet Dancer’s Body (VIDEO)
Natalie Portman lost 20 pounds for her role in Black Swan
Jennifer Ringer is a dancer in the Nutcracker ballet. She appeared on the Today Show this morning to defend herself against a critic who made a disparaging remark about her weight.
Alastair Macaulay said in his NY Times review that “Jennifer Ringer, as the Sugar Plum Fairy, looked as if she’d eaten one sugar plum too many.”
Jennifer says that her body is more “womanly” than an average ballet dancer. But, from the video, if you bumped into her on the street, you would never think anything of her weight; she looks thin.
But, in the world of ballet, thin might not be enough. Even Natalie Portman recently lost 20 pounds for her role in the ballet movie Black Swan.
The critic has not apologized for his comments saying that being in the ballet world means that your body can be criticized.
But, Jennifer Ringer has openly admitted to having struggled with her weight and eating disorders, so that could not have been easy to hear.
You can watch her interview here:
What do you think about the critic’s remarks? Do you have your own ballerina at home and do you worry about how ballet could affect her body image?
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10 Comments
Susan Stewart commented on Dec 14 10 at 12:29 amThe critic was wrong! Jennifer is wonderful. I bet the critic is a balding overweight male who thinks women should be bone thin to be beautiful. This type of thinking is so backwards. The criticism should have been about the dance. I hope Jennifer and other dancers ignore the stupid comment made.
Dawn Shuler commented on Dec 14 10 at 4:20 amI think that her performance outweighs her body image. She is by no mean overweight or plump as the critic suggests. It seems more that her openness about her diet history is what he was aiming at. I think he knew about her eating disorders and was waiting for an opportunity to strike out with his vicious words. Many women aspire to have her figure and her strength both physically and emotionally. Only unhappy people look for ways to be hurtful so obviously this critic is a miserable soul.
Luca commented on Dec 14 10 at 7:39 amIt’s his work to criticize, and if he prefer anorexic dancers, “de gustibus…”
BUT
Ballet it’s not about thinness, but dancing, and dancing well. I don’t say you can be fat, but if you dance well and you are not overweight, criticize someone because you are a bastard that cannot criticize other things in the play, it’s stupid.
This is what I think of this idiot…
Mad commented on Dec 14 10 at 8:28 amWATCH FULL VIDEO::: at: http://technewsusa.blogspot.com
Mad commented on Dec 14 10 at 8:29 amWATCH FULL ::: Jennifer Ringer : Breaking the Stereotype of the Ballet Dancer’s Body (VIDEO) at this link:::: http://technewsusa.blogspot.com
guest commented on Dec 14 10 at 10:21 amWhat part of her body would suggest she “ate one sugar plum too many”? I’m confused. She is thin & muscular, like a career dancer should be. Are we supposed to be seeing protruding bones or something? A skeleton?
Mad commented on Dec 14 10 at 1:21 pmWATCH FULL ::: Jennifer Ringer : Breaking the Stereotype of the Ballet Dancer’s Body (VIDEO) at this link:: http://technewsusa.blogspot.com
Julie Williams commented on Dec 14 10 at 2:06 pmHow is it 2010 and this happens? Jenifer was our come back kid from the 1990′s. Years ago in the 70′s and 80′s if you gained any weight it was the sin of sins and there would be no hope for you. The NYCB supported Jenifer when she went through her ruff time and let her back into the company and she is a principal dancer! (years ago this would never happen) Jenifer helped change this. Dancers are human and yes we gain weight and yes some of our body types are NOT Suzanne Farrell’s and since Peter Martins does not have a problem with Jenifer…THAT critic with the NYTimes should keep his mouth shut and critique the dancing this is 2010…get a life! STOP the abuse because that is what it is…we have enough abuse in the ballet world. Jenifer is a beautiful dancer and from the clip I saw her technique was flawless!!!! BRAVO Jenifer!! You go GIRL!
natalie commented on Dec 14 10 at 3:11 pmYes Alastair … a reviewer does have a right to comment on a dancer’s appearance. HOWEVER .. if the dance company & the dancer who has to lift her while dancing has no problem with with her weight, which they obviously DO NOT .. then the reviewer is being rediculous.
She’s a beautiful dancer & by no means overweight. It’s people like Macaulay who drive performers .. especially those who are young & impressionable, to anorexia & bulemia.
Rodney commented on Dec 29 10 at 11:54 pmJennifer Ringer is beautiful in every sense – dancing as well as her gentle and humble personality.
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