I don’t think there is such thing as being “too feminine”, even though there may seem to be. The extremely low number of boys taking part in ballet is a testament to the internalised misogyny still ruling over society.
Isabella Scanlon Rubio
A-level student and dance captain at Wycombe Abbey School.
Q & A
Basic Questions:
1. What’s your name?
Isabella Scanlon Rubio
2. Where are you from and where are you currently?
I’m from Maidenhead in the UK but I’m currently at my house in Spain near Barcelona in Catalonia.
3. What types of dance do you learn/ perform?
Ballet (including en pointe) and tap and modern.
Specific Questions:
1. Why and when did you start dancing?
I started doing ballet at the mere age of three because my older sister did it and my mother was convinced it would be great for our posture. I, unfortunately, stopped for a few years though when I was taking my gymnastics seriously. Then, I had an accident and got a back injury — I had to give up my gymnastics career. This was actually a pivotal point when I picked up dance seriously at my secondary school.
2. What are the most important traits a dancer should have?
I think a dancer has to show a huge amount of resilience: the late-night rehearsals, the aching muscles, and the physical exhaustion is a lot to handle. Organisational skills are also really important because you have to be on top of when rehearsals are and what you need to bring to them. Dancing is a team sport but people forget that one dancer’s mistake can let the whole team down sometimes.
3. Do you think there’s a correlation between toxic body image and the dance industry (particularly ballet)? If so, could you explain it to me from your personal perspective?
There most definitely is. When you’re younger, only the lighter or slight girls are given the seemingly very important role of being “lifted” by other dancers. Girls with long and slim legs are also deemed “more elegant” and more “aesthetically pleasing” in ballet. My dance teacher told me about her constant weigh-ins at dance school. The girls would have their measurements taken each month and if they got “too heavy” or “too round”, they would be asked to leave at the end of the year. All of this leads to eating disorders and toxic expectations of what dancers should look like.
4. What was your dream as a child and what is your dream now? Has it changed?
When I was younger, my dream was to be a gymnast. Now, I want to be either a diplomat or a lawyer.
5. Who is your biggest role model?
Probably my grandmother, who left Spain at the age of 17 to come to the UK during the Francisco Franco dictatorship.
6. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Living in Paris or Madrid; using my languages to immerse myself in the culture.
4. How can the dance industry improve its body-exclusive nature (if you believe there is one)?
I think that we need to stop praising those with genetics that naturally make the person taller and thinner. Dance wear also needs to be offered in not only the “skin coloured” peachy pink colour but rather in darker colours that genuinely do suit everyone’s skin colour. Boys also need to be included in dance, and we need to get rid of the stereotypes that ballet is just for girls and that everyone wears tutus.
5. So, from a non-POC perspective, in what ways can the dance industry tackle racism?
We need to make sure that there are more people of colour (POC) in top jobs in the dance industry. With more influential POC in the industry, they will have more ideas and initiatives that are progressive to make the industry more inclusive for people from all backgrounds. Having high-profile people from disadvantaged backgrounds also encourages those who are less fortunate to apply for these jobs and get involved in this industry that has historically been notoriously racist.
6. What do you think of the stereotype of dancers being “too feminine” or a “girly girl” which is often said in a negative light?
I don’t think there is such thing as being “too feminine”, even though there may seem to be. The extremely low number of boys taking part in ballet is a testament to the internalised misogyny still ruling over society. Ballet is deemed to be very feminine, thus putting boys off as they don’t want to be ridiculed or made fun of at school. As young children, boys are always put into rugby and football lessons, whereas girls are put into ballet and gymnastics classes. This already sets the preconception that ballet is for girls and rugby is for boys. This also manifests itself in everyday behaviour. Rugby is inherently a more violent sport than ballet, meaning boys “practise” violence from a young age whereas girls “practise” beauty, poise and delicacy. These things only enhance the gender norms in our society, allowing rugby to be “masculine” and ballet “feminine”.