There has been an extreme backlash in the dance community over a comment GMA's reporter, Lara Spencer, made last week. The day AFTER she helped Tom Bergeron introduce the new DWTS cast, she reported a "pop culture news" segment on how Prince William & Kate's son, little Prince George, is taking ballet. And she laughed & mocked him for it, especially for how William said George is really loving ballet. (It's part of the overall school curriculum.)
A month or so ago, William was interviewed saying how he would totally support & accept if any of their children turned out to be gay. BUT, he'd be really concerned for the media scrutiny that child would face, as society hasn't quite become so accepting yet. And Lara Spencer's comment mocking George liking something that
used to be thought of as effeminate and gay, just proves his case.
Here is the excerpt of Lara:
And here is the firestorm she caused by the dance community speaking up:
(Not only do they become Tony award winners, as in the video, but Patrick Swayze, who also was quite an accomplished ballet dancer, due to his mom being a ballet/dance teacher, was nominated for a Golden Globe for
Dirty Dancing.)
Abby Lee Miller, of
Dance Mom, on her
Instagram posted a video to GMA:
“Good Morning America, it’s time to wake up. I’m not even going to say her name, because she’s getting way too much publicity and I don’t need everyone of my followers to start following her. That’s not what we want here. We want so much more. How about donating your salary for an entire year to the arts? That would be wonderful.”
“I have so many male dancers that I have trained that have amazing careers. Their Saturday morning ballet classes sure paid off. They’re on Broadway. They’re on world tours. They’re in the new Steven Spielberg movie.
"I mean, come on. It’s 2019. I thought this stuff was over. I guess I was wrong, and I’m not usually wrong. Anyway, I just wanted to let everybody know that I think every child should dance. Dance teaches you so much than…,” the video cut off.
Abby also appeared on
TMZ Live, saying something like, "How can Lara have appeared on GMA the day before announcing all the stars & dancers on DWTS the day before, then do this? What is she saying she really feels about the male pro dancers?"
Julianne Hough was interviewed about her feelings on it after the America's Got Talent, show. Videos here:
https://www.etonline.com/julianne-h...e-community-after-lara-spencer-ballet-comment
"I think everything happens for a reason. I think that that comment sparked an amazing resurgence and passion for dancers to have a voice," Hough shared. "Dancers have always been in the background and so, for those comments to be made, it gave dancers a voice to show the dedication, the hard work, and the perseverance it takes to become a dancer."
Spencer found herself in hot water last week when she was reporting on how Prince William had recently revealed that one of his 6-year-old son's favorite hobbies in school was ballet. Spencer remarked, "I have news for you, Prince William: We'll see how long that lasts."
The comment was deemed insensitive and demeaning and sparked an outcry from dancers across the country who felt the remark demeaned their profession and their passion. However, for Hough, she doesn't think the remark was made with disdain, but was simply a comment made out of ignorance on the topic.
"I love Lara and I don't think it was a malicious thing she intended to do," Hough shared. "I think it was something that was unfortunate, and now it's been an amazing opportunity for dancers to step out and speak up and have a moment."
Hough also said she appreciated how people reacted to and generally accepted Spencer's apology, without demanding she be fired or calling for her head over the comments.
"I also think it gave humanity and the world and the country an opportunity to also let somebody apologize for something and see it for what it is versus just saying, 'That's it,' and, 'I'm going to forever think of you that way,'" she shared. "I'm really proud of the dance community that they didn't take this and then just like shun or divide and separate or cancel."
"I'm so proud it, like, makes me emotional, because I'm so proud to be a part of the dance community that that's how we handled it versus just shunning people away," Hough continued.
The former [Dancing With the Stars pro also opened up on why she felt Spencer's remark cut so deeply among so many people in the dance community.
"It really triggered people because of the bullying that had happened to them and so of course we're going to be defensive automatically when that happens, because we know what [dance] did for us," she reflected. "Most of the time, dance saved our lives. It gave us an outlet of expression. Dance has been one of the most important things that saved my life in many ways."
The interview continued and Julianne says she remembered when Derek used to be mocked & bullied for dancing.
Derek's own reaction. (Along with Cheryl Burke):
https://hollywoodlife.com/2019/08/2...spencer-mocking-prince-george-ballet-apology/
“I was pretty surprised by the tone of some comments towards dance. My initial response was disappointment. For a brief moment it brought up old unpleasant memories of being mocked and laughed at for being a boy who danced,” Hough, 34, wrote in a post on Friday, August 23. “Fortunately that feeling dissipated quickly in knowing that the climate of dance, especially for young men in this generation is thriving more than ever, celebrated and appreciated.” The dancer continued, “I know everyone at GMA including @lara.spencer and I’m sure the intention wasn’t to be hurtful. But I also just think we are in a new era and time, especially for dance and it’s perception. The tone and mockery towards dance is just dated, old and not relevant anymore. Those who mock don’t understand.” Derek, who originally joined DTWS back in 2007, comes from a multi-generational family of dancers, and has been actively performing since he was a young boy.
His former co-star Cheryl Burke, 35, also clapped back. “So happy to hear that Prince William supports his son George’s love of ballet! It’s so important to encourage young boys and girls to explore whatever activities and creative outlets they’re drawn to. I’ve spoken before about how much dance helped and taught me growing up, and I found it disheartening to hear a young boy laughed at,” Burke shared. “I would encourage @lara.spencer and others who share that mentality to be mindful of how your words and laughter can affect young boys who want to pursue the art of dance. It’s a shame that this discussion wasn’t used as an opportunity to encourage him, and rather to poke fun at him on national television. I hope that this instead shines a light on a problem in society and creates a dialogue about why an accepted reaction to this heartfelt news was joking and laughter.”
Dance choreographer, Debbie Allen weighed in. As well as Gene Kelly's widow, on her FB page. (Below.) There were 300 dance protestors outside GMA one of the mornings after that when Lara went in to work. She did apologize.
But, in my opinion, she apologized more because of the uproar than that she is remorseful.
Or they liked the idea of adding in fresh new blood whom they could create drama about by having them "compete" against each other, the way they did when Maks & Peta got married.
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