There are many misconceptions about dancers floating around, and I'm here to set the record set on the top 10 that I tend to see in my daily life. It isn't always easy being a dancer, especially when everyone thinks they have you figured out, but here are my top ten misconceptions debunked.
1. We wear pretty pink tutus all the time
Definitely not. Those pretty pink tutus are usually reserved for the principal ballerinas, and most dancers are in the lowly corps de ballet. In the corps, we're generally there to support the principal dancers, and our costumes aren't as decked out as the main roles. They're still absolutely gorgeous though! Even if we're just in a leotard and tights sometimes.
2. "Dancing is so easy!"
Wrong again! Dance is probably one of the hardest career paths to choose. Not only do you face rejection after rejection, even if you do succeed and get into a big company, you're constantly fighting for roles with your fellow dancers to see who can succeed to gain the title role of principal ballerina. It's a cutthroat world out there for everyone, and one injury can end it all.
3. "You just twirl around looking pretty."
Actually, that twirl is called a pirouette. Or a soutenu. Or even a chaine. And they're darn hard to execute while concentrating on the rest of your body!
4. "Standing on your toes can't be THAT hard, I can do it too!"
Actually, we put our entire body weight on two of our toes. For hours at a time. While learning to use the right muscles and learning to develop them properly while holding ourselves the right way, engaging the proper muscles.
5. All dancers have an eating disorder
100% not true. While dancers are very in tune to what they put in their bodies and are very health conscious, not all dancers have eating disorders! It's true that they're more prevalent in the dance world, but most dancers lead healthy lives and have a healthy relationship with food. In fact, in most ballet companies it is illegal to weigh dancers and ask them to lose weight. Dancers, especially dance majors, are required to take courses on nutrition and do projects on how to nourish themselves properly without using extreme dieting.
6. Male dancers are gay
This is one of the misconceptions that bothers me the most. Not all male dancers are gay! In fact, most are straight! They simply love to express themselves in a way they find difficult in other forms, and choose to dance. Not all dance is ballet; many male dancers go the route of hip hop or street and excel at it. Even those who do choose ballet, are not always gay! And even if they are gay, that's not an excuse to poke fun at them and call them names. Dance takes strength and talent, something that takes years to condition and build.
7. Dance is not a sport
I think this boils my blood the most. Dance does not fall under the category of a sport, but it should. I mean, have you seen out muscles? In high school the football players were afraid of my calf muscles because they were bigger than theirs! As a petite girl, I'm muscular and strong and I'm proud of it. I proudly call myself and athlete and it's time we get the recognition we deserve!
8. You have to be skinny to be a dancer.
Again, a HUGE misconception. Anyone, with any body type, can be a dancer. Just because professional companies look for thin, willowy dancers does not mean you should be put off by this. In fact, there are ballet companies out there for plus size dancers now! You can go on youtube and see amazing dancers who aren't a size 0 and dance beautifully. Dance comes in all shapes and sizes, just like the rest of the world.
9. "Dance won't get you anywhere"
That is in fact not true. Even if you don't make it into a big company, there are tons of smaller companies, and even more commercial jobs out there for you to try your hand at. Get an agent, start auditioning, seek out smaller companies. You never know what's for you!
10. And for my final point...dancers are stuck up.
This is only half true! Some dancers just have that vibe. You know, the one that says "I'm the best and I'm going to stop at nothing to show off my talent." But know that not all dancers are like this. Not all dancers show off in the studio in class. Most dancers are friendly and love talking about their past dance history with you, their favorite type of dance, their favorite performance, and more! Don't be afraid to talk to the people in your class, you never know when you could make a new friend.
Remember....if dance were easy it would be called football!
