Ringer/Macaulay Controversy
Alastair Macaulay
New York Times chief dance critic
Wrote in New York City Ballet's Nutcracker Review that Jenifer Ringer had eaten "one sugarplum too many."
Potential gain is unclear. Possibly publicity?
Potential loss could be a job loss if the Times believed he was too harsh on Ringer and if there was enough uproar from the public to drop their sales.
Believes he is being fair with his comment because as a dancer, you are willingly putting your body on display to be judged.
Seems to be bitter about asthma that left him with chest deformity as a child. Self conscious of his own image.
Jenifer Ringer
Principal dancer with New York City Ballet and danced the role of Sugarplum Fairy
Although upset by his comment, Ringer believes that Macaulay has the right to his own opinion. However she is happy with her appearance.
Not necessarily a gain for her, but in the aftermath it probably made her a more easily recognized dancer.
Potential losses could include her job and confidence (weight is a touchy subject for ballet dancers and can have profound effect on their mentality).
No bias that I can see.
American Public
Outraged/ disgusted by Macaulay's statement
Majority believes that Macaulay's job is to critic the dancing not the dancers' bodies.
Made public more aware of pressure on dancers to stay thin. Possibly a way for the "body-appreciation" movement to gain more attention.
I don't see any real potential losses for the American public in general.
Might be bias in the fact that they are used to seeing a "standard person" body and are not as used to seeing the norms of the "ballet body"