Before you start thinking of pink tutus and ballet slippers, think of the pain, blood, sweat, and tears. Ballet is an art that is constantly underestimated. As someone that comes out of every ballet class with missing toenails, bloody blisters, aching muscles, and dripping in sweat, I can attest to the fact it definitely isn’t always the pretty twirls you see on stage.
For those who seek to continue, deciding to pursue ballet professionally is not a decision one takes lightly. Ballet is one of the most physically tiring careers between the hours of technique classes, rehearsals, and outside therapy and training. On top of this, it requires years of practice to come close to mastering this art.
Ballet is also known for its restricted stance on body image. As an “aesthetic art”, ballet always seeks to create flawless lines and present perfection. Sadly, that means ballet is not always forgiving towards gaining a few extra pounds. Ballerinas always have shared experiences about teachers telling them to stop eating, feeling the need to be the skinniest one on stage, and developing eating disorders.
However, the ballet world is changing and Kathryn Morgan, soloist at Miami City Ballet, is a perfect example.
As a young dancer myself, I sought outside sources to help improve my technique. While on YouTube, one of the first people to show up in my feed was Kathryn Morgan. Her videos range from barre exercises to eating disorders in ballet, yet her most interesting content was on her personal life.
Kathryn Morgan began dancing at age three, like most ballerinas. However, she proved herself to be quite above the rest as she was accepted into one of the most elite ballet programs in the country, School of American Ballet in 2004. Two years later she was offered an apprenticeship by New York City Ballet (one of the top ballet companies in the world). She then officially joined the company making her a professional ballerina with NYCB. Two years after this she was promoted to soloist, offering her lead roles as Juliette, Aurora, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
This rise to the top was a true reflection of her talent and hard work, yet everything was about to change for Morgan.
After dancing lead roles Morgan found herself tired, gaining weight, and losing hair. She was unable to figure out what was wrong as doctors considered her “normal-looking”. She was beginning to get questioning looks from her directors and teachers about her weight and knew something was definitely wrong. Morgan was then diagnosed with hypothyroidism, causing a lack in the production of certain hormones. However, even after her treatments she was not getting better and still gaining weight. At age 23, she decided to leave the company to focus on her health.
After needing to find her plan B, Morgan decided to start a YouTube Channel focused on technique and ballet related issues. Her advice was so insightful and unlike any content I had previously sought out. From pointe exercises, make-up routines, to body shaming, she talked about it all. She grew exponentially within the dance community as her advice was needed by so many young dancers. She even offered commentary on her old performances and pointed out her mistakes and inner thoughts.
True light began to shed on Morgan as her fans shared her joy when she announced that last April she had become a soloist with the renowned Miami City Ballet. An incredible victory for Morgan as she showed how one could really overcome the difficulties life throws at you.
She never thought she could make it back into such a confined practice where body shape means so much. She said in an interview on the Today Show that she understands that she will never be the skinniest girl on stage anymore. But really, why does that matter if you’re the most talented one? She proved to every dancer watching that if you truly love the art form and you want it really bad you can make it again no matter the obstacles.
After her medical roller coaster and battle with body image in the ballet world, she came out as not only a successful ballerina, but a symbol of progress within one of the most conservative communities in the world.
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