A Message to Jenifer Ringer (The Non-Fat Ballerina)
Lately, there’s been a lot of outrage over the New York Times critic Alastair Macaulay’s review of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker”, where he made the following statement about professional Ballet dancer, Jenifer Ringer:
“This didn’t feel, however, like an opening night. Jenifer Ringer, as the Sugar Plum Fairy, looked as if she’d eaten one sugar plum too many; and Jared Angle, as the Cavalier, seems to have been sampling half the Sweet realm.”
As many people, in the dance world and in general, were angered by this comment, and wrote about it on their blogs (including Super-Blogger Perez Hilton), on Facebook, and Twitter, what really stands out to me is Jenifer Ringer’s response to this criticism. View her response in the video below.
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This is my personal message today to Jenifer:
Dear Jenifer,
You are a beautiful dancer, person, mom, and wife. You have overcome so much in your life, and are a true success story in every aspect. You became every little girl’s dream at the ripe age of 16, and have worked so hard to share your love and passion for dance with the world ever since. You have faced many challenges, fallen down, gotten back up again, and have taken advantage of the opportunity to share your struggles and victories in a way that inspires young dancers (and veterans) across the world. The way you handled this negative, inaccurate, and biased criticism, is just another example of your grace on stage and off. I respect and admire you very much, and as a fellow dancer, you will always have my support, and most certainly, the support of the dance community on your side. Keep up the great work! Wishing you continued success this performance season and beyond! Happy Holidays!
If you support Jenifer, and healthy body image for dancers all over the world, please leave a comment, and share this post on Facebook and Twitter.
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About The Author
Ashani C Mfuko
Ashani Mfuko is a Social Media Strategist, Digital Marketing Specialist, Award-Winning Blogger, and Professional Dancer. Ashani works with small businesses, corporations, & non-profit organizations as a Social Media Strategist and Digital Marketing Specialist. She creates results-driven, innovative social media strategies that are proven to increase your revenue and catapult your brand to expert status in your niche! She has an extensive track record of creating and implementing successful social media strategies for her clients. She is also the Host and Executive Producer of the “Inside New York City Dance” television show on MNN, and is a proud wife and new mom. Ashani has been featured in Dance Magazine, as a “Media Maven”, as well as in Dance Mogul magazine, Inside Woman magazine, & Dance Studio Life magazine, in addition to various dance blogs online. She is the author and creator of the, “Finance Your Dance: How To Turn Your Passion Into Profit“ e-book and workshop, and her dance blog won the Reader’s Choice, “Top Dance Business Blog” of the year award, two years in a row. She is a leader in the field of social media and digital marketing, and is highly sought after as a dance performer and dance teacher in the New York City dance community. Ashani is on staff at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City, and teaches Advanced Jazz classes for their Jazz & Contemporary program & Ballet program.
Dear Jenifer,
For anyone to suggest for a moment that you are not anything but ultra feminine, lovely, thin, strong and what all women would love to look like is a travesty and truly ridiculous. I hope you do not waste any lovely energy entertaining any clearly inaccurate statements from any one. You are a true beauty. You were lovely as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Truly magical. Truly perfect. Thank you for contributing that beauty to all of us and to the world. We are blessed by your capacity to create such lovely, and deeply human emotions within humanity through your art.
Amen Mary! My sentiments exactly!