Are you a black woman not getting the ballet opportunities and promotion that you want because you have trouble achieving elite classical ballet line? Or don’t have a triple pirouette, entrechat six, or impressive allegro, adagio, or musicality? Or aren’t much more than at a medium level of soloist accomplishment in your professional company?
No problem. Just lift up your shirt.
It works as well as accomplishment in the white man’s world of ballet. It gets you their attention. In fact, it gets everybody’s attention. And then years later, you can write a(nother) memoir in which you cry about what you had to do in order to "get your due." You had to lift up your shirt for the white man and wag your tits, you’ll say. A white man told you to lie on the floor in your underpanties and then said that you would be a bigger star if you would lift up your shirt for him to take a picture of your tits; so that’s what you did. In your next memoir, you can cry about how hard it was back in the old days for a black woman to rise to the top of ballet when she didn’t have the top talent. She had to lift up her shirt and wag her tits at the white man. This is for all the little brown girls. The message to those little brown girls: Learn to lift up your shirts in order to get your due.
Clearly, Misty’s ego and PR machine are on steroids. The muscly pictures and promos - as the New York Times said “bulging muscles” – sure make it clear that Misty thinks that she’s the cat's pajamas of the ballet world. Or is her message that it doesn’t matter what she can or cannot do in the way of classical dancing, because she’s black and muscly and is going to muscle her way to get whatever she wants in the ballet world just like Under Armour’s other athlete spokespersons do in their athletic fields?
The one difference, though, as she conveniently fails to disclose, is that in ballet there are no stop watches, no timed races, no goal lines, no panels of independent judges assigning you a score based on merit of performance, no playing field where the competition has an equal opportunity. In ballet, it’s all about the taste of one white man who runs your company. So if you are a dancer who is having trouble matching and surpassing the artistic quality of her fellow dancers, all you have to do is convince that one white man who runs the company to suspend the use of objective artistic criteria so you can rise to the top. Lift up your shirt.
In connection with her latest promo with Under Armour, Misty associates herself with text designed to associate her bulging muscles and bulging breasts with being black and therefore implying the argument that if the white man who runs ballet rejects her for her bulging, muscly physique, then he must be rejecting her for her race. She continues her fraudulent media campaign with mixed messages by associating herself with the fake text of a fake rejection letter she never received that was designed to incite and provoke the public’s outrage and make it think that Misty has been victimized by the white man’s world but will rise above it all – we now know, by lifting up her shirt.
All of this follows Misty’s methods employed in her recent book in which she cried that she had been the victim of overt racism in ballet, specifically at ABT – without citing any evidence of it – and then subsequently backed down from her message when asked in an ABC News interview if she had ever experienced overt racism.
All of this follows Misty’s initial claim that she was the first black female soloist in the history of ABT, followed by admission that she was the second black female soloist, followed by clarification that she was the third black female soloist. And while she is hell-bent on making herself into a role model that has “opened doors” for black girls everywhere, she refuses to recognize and thank the black female soloists at ABT who opened the doors for her. She cannot even bring herself to utter their names, because it might take some of the spotlight off of her.
People might wonder - If the other black female soloists who preceded Misty at ABT never embarked on a big media campaign in which they blared how special they were, why is Misty doing it? Is she really so special or is she just an example of special treatment?
The people who know ballet know the answer to that question.
Misty is certainly not my favorite dancer. She has her shortcomings, but I don't think she deserved this level of vitriol. She is hardly the only dancer at ABT with technical issues. Isabella Boylston, Hee Seo, and James Whiteside come to mind (and their all Principals!). The latter has an indie drag music career going on called "JDubz"... Do you have special posts dedicated to their issues or questionable non-ballet related shenanigans ( ie. Whiteside)
Posted by: Tommy | August 01, 2014 at 10:47 AM
Hi Tommy. Thanks for stopping by H.H.
Misty deserves even more criticism. As part of her publicity effort, she has set herself up as a role model for children in the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. She arranges photo ops of herself teaching their kids ballet, signing autographs, and of her espousing her wisdom about the ballet world. There are children who idolize her, emulate her, and follow her on every social media platform. When she decided to plant nude or suggestive photos of herself online for those kids to see, she stepped way over the line. She compromised what is expected of a children's role model. She encouraged promiscuity in children. She taught them that it's cool to take off your clothes for a photographer. She is also highly visible to the kids at ABT's school. Most of the older ones are smart enough to observe that Misty is not and never has been a top soloist in the company, and yet "some how" she gets assigned top roles over the better dancers.
And yes, I wrote much about James Whiteside and his proclivity for bending over so that a camera could snap a shot of his ass.
What you say about Boylston and Seo is true. At least they didn't take their clothes off or make absurd claims about racism or unfair treatment. I guess they deserve some credit for that, huh?
Posted by: Haglund | August 01, 2014 at 11:04 AM
Thank you so much, Haglund, for being a voice of reason in a world which no longer subscribes to standards of any kind. You've articulated exactly what the problems are with Misty Copeland and it's not the color of her skin.
Posted by: Slippersgirl | August 01, 2014 at 12:03 PM
Thank you Haglund.
Boylston and Seo have hardly experienced unfair treatment. Both are technically deficient. The former has terrible port de bras and is as graceful as Miss Piggy was when dancing with Nuryev for The Muppet Show. The latter can't even regularly complete proper fouette's without a mishap. She is the equivalent of Oksana Skorik at the Mariinsky, whom also mysteriously has risen to stardom in the ranks, even though she can't do anything besides whack her legs up to her ear. Both are also artistically challenged and if not paired with a star partner, I highly doubt anyone would buy tickets to see their performances. Especially Boylston. Their are dancers in regional ballet companies whom could pull off a less stiff and graceful Giselle or Odette. However, they have been given principal status, and before then they have been rewarded with many lead roles they had no business dancing in (ie. Boylston in virtually anything). Claims of "racism" or "unfair treatment" by either of them would be completely and utterly ridiculous.
I have no issue with sexy pictures, but if Misty is propping herself up as a role model to children then I agree that there is an issue there. However, I do disagree with the claim that when one makes claims about racism or unfair treatment that it is "absurd". Especially in an artistic institution that has an extensive previous history of the exact opposite of this absurdity.
Posted by: Tommy | August 01, 2014 at 01:27 PM
Hi Slippersgirl.
Thanks for stopping by H.H. and speaking out.
Posted by: Haglund | August 01, 2014 at 04:36 PM
The truly awful thing about Copeland's self-promotion is that the media has taken up her cause and ignorantly proclaimed her the It Ballerina today. The very popular and influential Buzzfeed and Gawker websites whose editors know nothing about ballet, are this week going into overdrive declaring her the perfect ballerina blah blah blah, blah. Of course the coveted readership goes along and now Copeland is the most famous ballerina in popular media and culture in this country.
I am sure she will say flashing her tits is all about empowerment and such bullcrap. In reality it is tacky and debasing especially if she wants to hold herself as role model for children, at least Whiteside and his distasteful side projects he never aimed to be family friendly role model.
Posted by: Genna | August 01, 2014 at 06:37 PM
Veronika Part's Giselle videos are uploaded now, more coming I am sure.
http://youtu.be/kieOeHAxPug
Posted by: Genna | August 01, 2014 at 07:00 PM
I have never been fond of her lack of a classical line, but these tacky antics take my dislike of her to a new level.
I cannot imagine what her colleagues in the studio think of these shenanigans.
Posted by: Nicole | August 01, 2014 at 08:37 PM
THANKS, GENNA!!!!
Posted by: Haglund | August 01, 2014 at 09:11 PM
This comes as no surprise to anyone who was around when it all started. I live in the community where she grew up. Read her book and it should tell you everything you need to know about her. Self involved then, self involved now.
Posted by: sweetgirlfab | August 01, 2014 at 09:12 PM
Nicole, thanks for stopping by H.H.
I imagine her colleagues think that they should start acting like trash in order to get Swan Lake.
Posted by: Haglund | August 01, 2014 at 09:54 PM
Hi sweetgirlfab.
That book was a humdinger. We reviewed it on the blog some months ago here:
http://haglundsheel.typepad.com/haglunds_heel/2014/03/misty-copeland-life-in-motion-an-unlikely-ballerina.html
Posted by: Haglund | August 01, 2014 at 10:22 PM
HH--
I find it hard to get worked up over some self-promotion and mythology creating, but that is some gloriously articulate invective you hurled. I think its telling that any one could tell KM would love to have her as principal, but even he can't find a way to press that button yet, despite the cross-promotion opportunities he could try to exploit to prop up his increasingly pointless company.
Posted by: Bored_on_WallSt | August 02, 2014 at 04:08 AM
Hi Bored.
McKenzie has so lowered the bar for Misty that if she can't get over it now, it will truly be a humiliation for both of them. In cutting out the challenging steps as he did for her in the already-simplest Coppelia on the planet, he made it clear that she's technically not up to snuff. Misty has become a mere token, and she seems mighty happy and content to be that, so long as the attention keeps coming her way.
Posted by: Haglund | August 02, 2014 at 08:05 AM
Boylston, Seo, Stearns and Copeland are all mediocre. Misty has probably offered the most enjoyment. She's using publicity to advance; I don't even know why the others did.
Perhaps the disgust here is intensified because we are approaching a tipping point where more than half the principals don't deserve the title. The decay is so profound I refuse to buy tickets. I like your idea of Cornejo jumping to NYCB.
Posted by: Annie H. | August 02, 2014 at 11:22 AM
HH, I read the link and agree with everything. My children went to school with Misty and her brothers and sisters. They also went to the Boys and Girls Club with them. I was a single mother and I'm highly offended by what she said. I saw those kids 3 or 4 times a week and they were always well groomed and dressed nice. None of them looked like they were starving as she wants everyone to believe. The only reason I read her book is because it was loaned to me. Many people in my community have refused to buy her book. We don't want to support her sob story when there are people with real problems.
Posted by: sweetgirlfab | August 02, 2014 at 11:23 AM
Hi Annie H.
I totally agree with your assessment. The disgust is intensified not only because of the mediocrity in the principal rank but because the truly talented ones who should be principals are walking out the door or dying on the vine.
Posted by: Haglund | August 02, 2014 at 01:03 PM
Sweetgirlfab, thanks for your comments. FYI, I received an email from a relative of Misty's who said that the book hurt the family a lot, particularly the way in which Misty portrayed her mother.
Posted by: Haglund | August 02, 2014 at 01:08 PM
HH, yes! I almost included a list of the "truly talented ones" neglected over the past DECADE, but my comment would run too long and my blood pressure would rise too high. I think the ones walking out have the right idea though. We've reached the point of no return.
Posted by: Annie H. | August 02, 2014 at 01:33 PM
Annie H., if we had the stomach for it, we could go all the way back to the beginning of McKenzie's generalship and start with Christina Fagundes as one of his first big wastes of talent.
Posted by: Haglund | August 02, 2014 at 01:55 PM
HH thank you. Our community is close knit and working class for the most part. There are those with money mostly living in Palos Verdes. The divide is clear. We all know what went on behind the scenes. We heard about it. The family was in the local newspapers and on television. Misty's mother was on her own. Many of us supported her behind closed doors but she was on her own in public. I wondered what happened to the family after the public situation and the book was my answer, a story that should have been of victory and not blame.
Posted by: sweetgirlfab | August 02, 2014 at 03:07 PM
My daughter graduated with one of the kids who is now an attorney. I've heard they are all doing well.
Posted by: sweetgirlfab | August 02, 2014 at 03:12 PM
First, please enlighten me. What picture of her tits are you talking about?
All I can see is that: http://store.henryleutwyler.com/products/misty-copeland
And you can't see anything shocking at all.
There could also be so many artistic reasons behind that shot and the nude.
She only feels comfortable in pointe? All that she cares about is ballet? Ballet is part of who she is? Etc, etc...
As far as her technical issues, she's by far not the only famous dancer with technique problems. Some Principal dancers lack what some corps de ballet have. It's also a matter of having that special thing. That "je ne sais quoi" that makes you connect with your audience. And Misty definitely has that. To me, at least. And to a lot of other people as well.
Racism in ballet. Are you seriously trying to say that she made that up? That it hasn't been a problem for many dancers? Carlos Acosta? Aesha Ash? Michaela Deprince? That the world of ballet does not lack in people of color?
She might not be the best dancer in the world, but she sends out a good message. Of fighting for what you really want, by working your ass off. Regardless of the limitations you were born with.
How is that something to be against?
Posted by: Margaux C | August 03, 2014 at 01:08 AM
Misty is the best and worst thing to happen to ballet. In its current state, ballet is a dying and boring art form. Like it or not, Misty and UA have thrown down the gauntlet and are awaiting the ballet world's response. Comments like the one above will just accelerate its death. An acceptance and embrace of the Mistys and Whitesides will make it exciting and vibrant again. People, nobody knows if her technique is perfect except those of us who studied for years. Let it go!
Why is it that none of my ballet teacher will allow their children to even take a ballet class. Ballet teaches self-hate, self-mutulation and misogyny. It either has to modernize or die.
By the way, the Williams Sisters were considered 'not properly trained' fir tennis and destined for failure.
And The ballet community mourned when Nureyev died never having achieved perfection.
In the words of former Harvard Law Professor Bell regarding the lack of a black remake tenured professors, "If they don't fit the qualifications, change the qualifications!"
Posted by: Roger Carter | August 03, 2014 at 07:39 AM
Hi, Margaux.
Thanks for stopping by H.H. The photo about which we wrote is linked to in the post's second paragraph. It is not a Henry Leutwyler photo. It is a Gregg Delman photo.
I think that you've touched on the problem in your list of black dancers (Acosta, Ash, Deprince) along with the assumption that they have experienced racism in ballet that prevented them from achieving higher levels of accomplishment. Where did that assumption with those particular dancers come from? There is a tendency for an assumption that racism is at the core of every problem experienced by a black artist because it is so easy to make the claim even when there is nothing to back it up. Acosta sits at the very pinnacle of ballet and has for a long, long, time. Deprince is in the early stages of what could be a wonderful contemporary ballet career. Ash walked out of New York City Ballet after 7 years in the corps for personal reasons. The majority of all ballet dancers spend their entire careers in the corps, not just non-white dancers, but the majority of ALL dancers.
Misty's message is that if you don't have technical and artistic skill equal to or better than those around you, you can get attention and move forward in your career by doing other things: lifting up your shirt, making false claims of racism, claiming you're the first this or first that when it isn't true, and generally trying to create a public mis-impression about your abilities and the challenges that you have faced.
Would you want a daughter to follow that course? I surely wouldn't.
We've followed Misty on this blog for a long time and loudly cheered many of her accomplishments. But we're not going to cheer her book, her explicit photos, or her attitude that she will trample over whomever she needs to trample (including her own mother) in order to get what she wants.
Posted by: Haglund | August 03, 2014 at 07:41 AM
Hi, Roger.
"... change the qualifications"?
If we don't have enough black teachers who are qualified to teach our children math at a certain level, just change the qualifications?
If we don't have enough qualified black surgeons who can perform heart surgery, just change the qualifications?
If we don't have enough qualified black engineers who can design safe skyscrapers, just change the qualifications?
If we don't have enough qualified black investment advisers, just change the qualifications?
I'm not with you on that line of thinking.
There was a time in history when top black classical artists faced real racism that prevented the world from experiencing their classical gifts. Misty is not an example of that. She is far from being the Marian Anderson of ballet - either in talent or as a victim.
As for your comment that ballet is dying and boring – only at American Ballet Theatre where it's not a problem related to racism or anything other than the incompetence of the leader.
Posted by: Haglund | August 03, 2014 at 08:01 AM
Just wanted to mention - on a more positive note, that Calvin Royal seems to be well placed to rise up the ranks soon and his technical abilities are beautiful and he isn't engaging in any public anything. He's dancing listed roles in two ballets on tour this month. If McKenzie had any taste Courtney Lavine would be as well. Another example of beautiful lines, technique and amazing "it factor". Even some of the dancers have remarked how eye catching she is on stage and in rehearsals.
Posted by: Rachel | August 03, 2014 at 08:41 AM
True, Rachel.
Courtney Lavine has a gorgeous classically-lined body with wonderful speed and clean feet – courtesy of SAB. I always look for Courtney on stage. She's been in the corps for four years, and it seems only Ratmansky has noticed her for casting. Hopefully, we'll see her in something major this spring.
I agree that Calvin Royal looks like he's on a good path. I want to see him in more classical work - perhaps as Prince Desire to Stella Abrera's Aurora this spring.
Posted by: Haglund | August 03, 2014 at 08:58 AM
My main issue with Misty is that she puts me to sleep, and her grossly hyper-extended knees and calves are grotesque when she's in 2nd en pointe. Other than that I don't really care much about her either way. I'm glad ballet is getting press, I just wish it was via a better ambassador
There are so many PHENOMENAL black ballerinas out there but most seem to be in more contemporary companies- Ebony Williams at Cedar Lake is mind-blowing. Hopefully the upside of Misty's press bonanza is a larger concentration of black ballerinas in the next generation - much like what Michelle Kwan seems to have done for figure skating demographics today.
Posted by: rachel | August 03, 2014 at 02:04 PM
photo case in point: http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljm3wzx5jM1qd0kf9o1_400.jpg
Posted by: rachel | August 03, 2014 at 02:13 PM
Haglund,
As a prominent ballet teacher of color, I support your comments. I have had a couple black students whom have achieved scholarships and acceptances to the best programs in our country. They achieved that because our faculty gave them the exact same support and quality training that we give every student. I never find it necessary to tell them that they need to work harder because they're black. Instead I reinforce that they need to work hard because the technique required of all dancers increases daily, and jobs are limited no matter what your creed may be. If Misty and others that have the same mentality as her would focus on taking daily class, and Pilates to lengthen her body and not continually overbuild it for the likes of Prince and ESPN, then maybe she could be more respected among those who really appreciate the art. To me, she is crying wolf, when there isn't one, and instead of empowering "little brown girls" she's making them think more about their skin tone, and less about their tendues. If you browse her Facebook page with the link to your blog, you can see how she has fans of her "image" and not of her dancing necessarily. I just wonder what's next for her? Possibly a centerfold in Playboy with an article about how the "white man" and ABT has brought her to this. To me, classical ballet is an art form that needs to keep it's standards, without them anyone and everyone could be a ballerina. I just hope that this eventually blows over and we won't have to see affirmative action in ballet companies, and be forced to see mediocre dancing. I'm not saying dancers of color aren't capable of being a top not classical ballet dancer, but if they keep focusing on their skin tone, eventually what's really important (technique and artistry) are going to suffer.
Posted by: Concerned Teacher | August 03, 2014 at 06:01 PM
Hi, Concerned Teacher. Thanks much for stopping by H.H.
That's a very interesting point about Misty's fans being fans of her image, not fans of her dancing ballet. Of her gazillions of followers (authentic and otherwise) on every social media platform, how many have actually seen her perform on stage or read her book? A small percentage, I would guess.
I completely agree with you that classical ballet is an art form that needs to keep its standards. There is nothing politically incorrect or racially motivated about the classical ballet line or the type of body that is required to achieve it.
You have to be tall to play pro basketball successfully; you have to be big and bulky to be an NFL center; you have to be ultra-skinny to compete successfully in marathons. If you're a woman who is 5ft tall and want to join the Marines, you have to weigh between 97 and 128 lbs. If you want to be a female high fashion model for John Casablancas, you need to be 5'8" to 6' tall. If you want to be a surgeon, you have to go to med school and pass all the tests; an Instagram account with 100k followers will not help you get your MD. All of these rules or truths exclude the majority of people from professional participation. That's life. In classical ballet, you have to make the classical lines, do the tricks, interpret the music, and carry the character. When an Instagram or Twitter following becomes a substitute for any of those things, it's time to declare ballet a "lost culture."
Posted by: Haglund | August 03, 2014 at 08:52 PM
You hit the nail of the head. of course no one will really come right out and say it. but you did. bravo. if ballet is dying this might be more the reason why.
Posted by: atrina | August 04, 2014 at 02:22 AM
as well as the stunning Courtney Lavine and Calvin Royal, across the plaza dance the equally beautiful Silas Farley, Olivia Boisson, Craig Hall and Amar Ramasar. All beautifully trained with gorgeous lines and profoundly gifted. It baffles me why these dancers are not being recognized in the media for their accomplishments at least as much as Misty.
Posted by: buffee | August 04, 2014 at 04:32 PM
They're not campaigning for it the way Misty is.
Posted by: Haglund | August 04, 2014 at 04:41 PM
in the interest of fairness and balance, I am appealing to some astute dancer writer/critic to give all these artists a voice.
Posted by: buffee | August 04, 2014 at 05:22 PM
What is wrong with Misty Copeland campaigning for herself? Is she doesn't do it, who will?
Perhaps her actions are self serving, however are they inaccurate? Is the world of classical ballet predominantly populated with those of European descent? Is it true that Ms. Copeland's actions have highlighted this issue and inspired numerous dancers who would otherwise not have known of the art form flock to join or at the very least, take an interest?
I teach ballet in White Plains and for the first time ever I have 12 African American students. They were all inspired to join ballet because of Ms. Copeland's prominent social media work. And she is not only an inspiration to 'little brown girls'. More than a few 'none brown girls' who enrolled for our summer session did so because of Ms. Copeland.
I cannot say other dancers deserve greater accolades than Ms. Copeland because I do not know that it is true. I have not read as much about her as you have, nor have I seen as many of her performances as you. In fact I am here because one of my students, who is a fan, sent me a link to this article. It upset her, and that is fine. People are entitled to their upset. What I don't understand however is the attacks on Ms. Copeland as if she were some grande villain. It seems pretty clear to me that at her age she will not be promoted to principal dancer and it's pretty clear that this has nothing to do with her race. Yes, her ad with Under Armour is terribly misleading (As I've heard it, she was born with the perfect facility and received everything she ever asked for). In spite of all that, is what she stands for so wrong?
I don't think that the pictures you mentioned are meant for children. They are not in a Hallmark card for baby ballerinas, nor are they displayed in a 'for kids only' section. Your example is akin to vilifying an actress who was once a child actor for portraying as an adult a risque or murderous role.
If Ms. Copeland is really such sub par dancer, then why are most of your past comments about her so glowing? I thought it strange when I clicked her name in your search engine to find such a violent shift. It seems that if the person you want to be promoted isn't, then whomever is in their stead is suddenly bad. Maybe the promoted dancers are not to blame and maybe they should not be attacked. What would you have them do? Turn down the promotion and say give it to dancer X or dancer Y?
To the woman who claims to know Misty's family- shame on you. I'm sure her family does not care to have a stranger airing its laundry and private business in public.
Ms. Ash did not leave NYCB for personal reasons. I know her very well and your comments make it seem as if she were having mental problems. Her problem was that in spite of acclaim and numerous roles assignations she was not being promoted.
Finally. There are plenty of former dancers who by today's standards would be considered blocky- Maria Tallchief and Alicia Alonso who I would rather watch any day than anyone today, for instance- maybe Ms. Copeland does have a very curvy and muscular body according to certain standards. However she is able to dance circles around anyone commenting here and clearly brings a great deal of joy to those who have watched her. Perhaps her port de bra is weak and and perhaps her hyper extended legs are too much- none of these prevent her from dancing well or from inspiring many of my students to take on the challenge of classical ballet.
Maybe you need to broaden your horizons and not be so quick to condemn those whose molds fall outside of your preferences. Many of the comments here are plain mean and it shocks me that such vitriol is coming from someone with a prominent standing in the dance community outside of The New York Times.
Good evening to you.
Posted by: Jana | August 04, 2014 at 07:56 PM
Eric Underwood is an example of a truly talented dancer of color who did not receive his due at ABT. He is at the Royal Ballet now. He was a fan favorite due to his elegance and precision, not his skin color.
I well believe racism is a problem in the world of classical ballet, but, very shockingly, it is not even the most significant problem at ABT right now. Certain dancers have been promoted over more deserving dancers—they are not better dancers than Misty is, but other women are better still: Stella Abrera, Yuriko Kajiya, and Sarah Lane. This is a widespread opinion among frequent attendees. It is also echoed by ballet greats Julio Bocca, Ethan Stiefel and Angel Corella, who have invited these dancers to guest with their companies.
Misty is a top talent. Unfortunately, she has developed some bad habits in her dancing over the years. Her technical skills actually used to be better than they are right now. However, I am glad if she is inspiring young people to dance. If she is able to regain top form she will be applauded by all.
Posted by: Annie H. | August 04, 2014 at 09:52 PM
Thanks, Jana, for your comments. It's good to hear that you have African American students who were inspired by Misty to study dance.
The objections to Misty's media campaign are that it is based on a mis-characterization of her circumstances and achievement, blatantly plays the race card, falsely accuses others of racism, and relies on the distribution of sexually provocative material to minors over her social media platforms - all the while holding herself out as a role model for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. We've written about this at length.
These children who brought you the link to this blog are Misty's social media audience. If they were my kids, I would pull the plug to their internet fast and look for another role model.
Before climbing on Misty's bandwagon, it's best to see her in classical work along side the other fine dancers at ABT with whom she must compete for a dwindling number of performing opportunities and even fewer promotion opportunities. She does good work, but it is by no means as good as those with whom she competes, and yet she is getting more breaks and more opportunities because she has drummed up a media following with misleading and provocative material.
The woman who commented about Misty's family was simply responding to what Misty wrote about in her book. The book is outrageous. But few people have questioned the veracity of her claims. As with all things concerning Misty, one has to look past the glitzy cover.
Posted by: Haglund | August 04, 2014 at 09:52 PM
Hi Annie H.
I wish Eric Underwood had stayed at ABT. He was only there for about three years and did receive a few high profile opportunities. He departed at the time that McKenzie started his heavy reliance on importing guest artists. ABT tragically lost Erica Cornejo to Boston Ballet the same year that Eric left. The losses keep mounting.
Posted by: Haglund | August 04, 2014 at 10:04 PM
Thanks to the Huffington Post for this article - many more gifted "diverse" dancers are out there and still unknown to the public. I would like to hear all their stories. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/05/representation-in-ballet_n_5618002.html
Posted by: buffee | August 05, 2014 at 01:50 PM
At a performance of Swan Lake by the Bolshoi Ballet in Los Angeles a few years ago, my daughter found a picture of a girl that looked remarkably like herself, featured in an article about the Spotlight Awards. The picture turned out to be that of the past Grand Prize winner in ballet, Misty Copeland. On this day, something clicked in my daughter. She finally grasped that, given the right opportunities and hard work, she could achieve in classical ballet and maybe, just maybe, develop into a dancer like the beautiful Russian artists she enjoyed so immensely.
It cannot be understated how important it is to have a tangible representative of one's race/socioeconomic status/nationality/etc. for inspiration. After reading more about Misty, my daughter became obssessed with finding the best training, and she is well on her way to fulfilling her potential in classical ballet (whatever that may be). Our extended family are now patrons of several ballet companies (including ABT), as well as season ticket holders.
This blog has often referenced the dying art of ballet and the mountain of debt that some prominent ballet companies are facing each year as audiences dwindle. Misty Copeland is not perfect - as a classical artist or as as a role model, however she is certainly one of a small number of underrepresented ballet dancers and contributes an important element of diversity. Without having walked in her shoes, I find it bizarre to judge her and assume that the main motivation behind telling her story is to leap-frog-it to Principal.
Misty's basic narrative is that she had to overcome a large amount of adversity to "make it" (socioeconomic, family support, technical deficiencies, training deficiencies, and the often subtle, but pervasive racial bias), despite having a tremendous facility for ballet. She has worked very hard for her current position at ABT and appreciates every opportunity she has on stage. She seeks to encourage the interest of other young people in ballet, of all backgrounds, but understands the special impact that she may have on all of those "little brown girls". My daughter recently had the opportunity to meet Misty when she returned to her former studio to give a lecture and found her to be warm and nuturing to all of the students, as well as a huge advocate for excellent training. We should embrace the audience that Misty has brought to ballet and hope that the masses will rejuvenate the dying art form.
Posted by: IPG | August 05, 2014 at 03:09 PM
HH, I miss Erica too.
When she left I thought she was ready for promotion, but clearly that was not to be. Xiomara Reyes has done good work but I thought Cornejo made a stronger case for the petite soubrette slot (thought both women can do much more than that).
EC, Maria Riccetto and Stella were the only ones who captured the "breath" in Les Sylphides during their tenure; for the rest it was a museum piece only. I miss Maria too, though honestly I would keep her at leading soloist level.
SeveraI months ago I saw Eric dance in a cinema film of Sleeping Beauty starring Sarah Lamb. The whole thing was sublime, so I feel like I can be happy for him where he is.
Posted by: Annie H. | August 05, 2014 at 04:41 PM
Thanks for the link to Huffington Post, Buffee.
I'm sure that the person who wrote the HP blog post was full of good intentions but it illustrates why the Huffington Post will never be confused with the Washington Post.
Few of the dancers listed are "icons" as the title claims. And at least two of them, Wendy Whelan and Yuan Yuan Tan, represent the acute thinness about which the HP blogger complains. Then there is the misinformation about Evelyn Cisneros...
But it's good to remind people that there are dancers of color out there other than Misty Copeland and that there have been for many, many years.
Posted by: Haglund | August 05, 2014 at 05:11 PM
IPG –
I’m behind on responses. This references your reply three comments above.
Thank you for your heartfelt response and for sharing the personal experience with your daughter. I’m curious, though, why your daughter was not aware of the major importance that Dance Theatre of Harlem has played in the world of ballet. Why had she not heard of Virginia Johnson or seen Ms. Johnson’s extraordinary rendition of Giselle which is on video? Why had she not heard of Stephanie Dabney who was a riveting Firebird in DTH’s production which was heralded by The New York Times as being one of the better productions “in the world.” NYT described Ms. Dabney’s Firebird as a “knockout performance.” DTH's Firebird was the subject of a PBS documentary.
Why do I bring this Firebird up? I bring it up because despite NYT’s and PBS’ recognition of DTH and its production, Misty has negated its importance and legitimacy by claiming in her memoir that she was the first black woman in history to dance the Firebird in a major ballet company. In other words, Misty implies that Dance Theatre of Harlem was never a major ballet company. Who is she trying to kid? They danced Giselle; they danced Firebird; they danced a load of Balanchine; they danced Petipa – In. New. York. City. To. Great. Acclaim. It’s just one more case of Misty massaging the truth and trampling over others, including black dancers, in order to elevate herself. Perhaps if your daughter buys a copy of Misty’s soon-to-be published book on the Firebird and stands in line to have it autographed, she can ask the author why she has negated the importance of Dance Theatre of Harlem and its historic production of Firebird.
Clearly, you have bought into Misty’s sad story which I don’t fault you for, because so many others have, too. But the fact is that her story is a mis-characterization of the truth and it is wrapped up in self-aggrandizing gobbledygook and sexually provocative imagery that children have no business receiving. But as one commenter (a ballet teacher of color) so astutely observed, many of Misty’s fans are fans of her image, not fans of her dancing. If image is more important than the art form and the truth, then that’s simply a choice that one has made.
If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to read Misty’s book. You will see that it is, indeed, a 278 page plug for her to be promoted to principal that is woven with false claims and false praise for herself.
I just want to clarify and respond to your mention of blog references to ballet dying and companies in debt. We at H.H. have never written that the art of ballet is dying or that ballet companies are under a mountain of debt. The art is certainly not dying, and many companies – except ABT – are handling their finances very well. The art is thriving like never before: performances, videos, live cinema presentations. At times in New York, it seems like we could be on the verge of saturation.
Posted by: Haglund | August 05, 2014 at 06:49 PM
yes agree Haglund - a good effort by Huffington but no new ground broken there. What young ballet fans don't realize is that there are many young dancers "of color" in companies now that have it all - facility, lines, musicality, training, strength, artistry and heart. And I think many of these dancers would tell you how blessed they are - how they were scouted early on and given scholarships and how they were supported by teachers, mentors, ballet masters, artistic directors and donors in their journey. It is rare that you see a dancer come along that has the potential to be a professional and then perhaps a "Ballerina" or "Danseur" and this is what these ballet professionals live for - to find these gifted individuals and to nurture them - regardless of skin color. It's such a rare combination of gifts, that out of the thousands of children that attempt it, few actually become professionals - but isn't that true of all professions? I applaud Misty and the others (less known and unsung) - maybe the Huffington Post will take a deeper look at these young and upcoming dancers of color.
Posted by: buffee | August 05, 2014 at 08:09 PM
Your response is very interesting. Especially the assumption that we were not aware of the importance of the Dance Theater of Harlem, which is incorrect. I completely agree with you that there are many dancers of color, past and present, that should be more visible as role models, but lack the vast platform that Misty now has. However, the point that I was trying to make is that Misty happened to be right there, starring back at my daughter in the program, at a critical time in her development. Despite having many wonderful opportunities to see ballet companies (notably, not DTH), never before had she seen an African-American among the ranks in classical ballet (although Alvin Ailey was amazing!). Subsequent interactions with Misty were interactive and inspiring. We find her to be a beautiful dancer. I am not an expert, so I will not presume to comment on any of her technical abilities, but she is stunning to watch on stage. She triggered a newfound motivation in my daughter, as well as many other students.
I read her memoir, as did my daughter. Should she have acknowledged the African-American ballerinas who paved the way for her? Sure. Is her ultimate goal to become a Principal? Of course. Has everyone who maintains respect and admiration for Misty been duped? Depends on one's perspective.
I am glad to hear that the major ballet companies, besides ABT are doing so well financially. Perhaps a lot of donors have been duped in that regard ;)
Posted by: IPG | August 05, 2014 at 10:00 PM
Thanks, IPG.
Posted by: Haglund | August 05, 2014 at 10:06 PM
Dear HH,
Thank you for your informed opinion, as always.
I wish that you could have a Facebook page where you would simply post a link every time you have a new blog post here. It would make it much more convenient to follow you.
Posted by: JM | August 06, 2014 at 03:12 AM
Thanks, JM.
At present, I don't really have time for FB, Twitter, etc. but there are several free RSS readers out there that will automatically download posts to your device.
Posted by: Haglund | August 06, 2014 at 06:19 AM
What a brilliant discussion! Thank you Haglund for publishing all of these comments (and yours are always great). I can't comment, of course, since I'm involved with one of the major ballet companies. But I love reading everyone's opinions. Thank you all!
Posted by: Deborah Broide | August 08, 2014 at 07:16 AM
Thanks, Deb.
Posted by: Haglund | August 08, 2014 at 06:56 PM