A world-renowned ballet school has reached a legal settlement with a former student who alleged that she developed an eating disorder due to body shaming during her time there. Ellen Elphick, who attended the Royal Ballet School in London, claims that the intense training program and the negative comments about her body led to her becoming anorexic as a teenager. The Royal Ballet School is one of the most prestigious institutions for ballet training, selecting students between the ages of 11 and 19 and preparing them for careers as professional dancers. Elphick was a student at the school from 2009 to 2012, when she was between the ages of 16 and 19. While the settlement does not admit liability or include an apology, it marks a significant moment in addressing the challenges faced by students in high-pressure artistic training environments.
Ellen’s lawyers, Leigh Day, released a statement detailing her experiences during her time at the school. In her first year, Elphick alleges that a teacher humiliated her in front of her peers by pointing out areas of her body, specifically her buttocks and legs, and made a disturbing comment about cutting off those parts if she had a knife. The teacher allegedly expressed disgust at the size of these body parts. In the following year, Elphick claims that the same teacher praised her for losing 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds) and instructed the other students to applaud her weight loss. These incidents, Elphick believes, contributed to her developing an eating disorder. She began to resort to unhealthy habits such as drinking coffee and smoking to suppress her appetite and would often make herself sick. By her third year, Elphick says that a senior teacher further humiliated her by circling her buttocks in a photograph she intended to send to prospective employers, telling her that this was her “issue.”
The legal statement also highlights the long-term impact of these experiences on Elphick’s mental and physical health. A consultant psychiatrist confirmed that Elphick had suffered from atypical anorexia in the past and continues to struggle with body dysmorphia, a condition characterized by an obsessive focus on perceived flaws in one’s appearance. Elphick eventually abandoned her career in dance, citing the traumatic experiences she endured during her training. In a press release, she expressed her hope that by speaking out, she could raise awareness about the dangers of body shaming and the need for a more compassionate approach to teaching in the ballet world. She emphasized that she wants to prevent other young dancers from suffering the same harm she experienced.
In response to the settlement, a spokesperson for the Royal Ballet School told CNN, “We are pleased that both parties were able to reach a mutually acceptable agreement in this way and we wish Ellen and her family well for the future. The School continues to take the well-being of its students very seriously.” While the statement acknowledges the school’s commitment to student well-being, it does not address the specific allegations raised by Elphick or take responsibility for the harm she claims to have suffered. The settlement appears to be a step toward resolving the matter without drawing further attention to the details of the case.
Elphick’s lawyer, Dino Nocivelli of Leigh Day, called the settlement an important step in highlighting the body shaming and abuse that many ballerinas have endured, as well as the significant impact these experiences can have on their lives. Nocivelli emphasized the need for the ballet community to acknowledge its duty of care toward dancers, accept past failings, and make meaningful changes to prevent similar harm in the future. The case underscores the often-unspoken challenges faced by young dancers in elite training programs, where the pressure to meet unrealistic physical standards can have devastating consequences for their mental and physical health.
Ellen Elphick’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the need for greater accountability and compassion in the ballet world. While the settlement brings a measure of closure for Elphick, her decision to speak publicly about her experiences highlights the broader cultural issues within the dance community. By sharing her story, she hopes to spark change and ensure that future generations of dancers can pursue their passion without enduring the same kind of harm she suffered. Her courage in speaking out about body shaming and the long-term effects of her training offers a hopeful step toward creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for young dancers everywhere.
