Good Morning America host Lara Spencer apologized for her faux pas when she laughed on air at the idea of Prince George’s curriculum including ballet classes, which he reportedly enjoys. I posted some of the dance world’s response the homophobic giggle Spencer shared when she reported that news. On GMA this week, she offered a humble, sincere apology for “screwing up.” She also welcomed three major forces from the dance world to talk about the impact of laughing, mocking and shaming boys who dance: 2-time Emmy Award winner Travis Wall, ballet star and soon-to-appear in the film adaptation of CATS, Robbie Fairchild, and Joffrey Ballet’s Fabrice Calmels. When she first issued a mea culpa via Instagram, being married to a publicist the text seemed a bit “the network said I have to do this.” But watching her in this GMA segment, I take her at her word that she realizes her mistake. As a guy who has danced for 40 years, and thankfully enjoyed a career of incredible opportunity thanks to dance, I accept her apology and appreciate that it comes across as authentic and sincere.
Good Morning America co-host Lara Spencer stepped in it this week when reporting on Prince George as part of her Pop News segment. Talking about the young royal’s new school curriculum, she paused when she mentioned that he would be taking “ballet,” and then began to laugh at the idea that boys would study dance. As the studio audience continued laughing, Spencer added, “I’ve got news for you Prince William, we’ll see how long that lasts.”
Folks in the dance world, male and female, clapped back at Spencer laughing at the idea of boys/men dancing. Social media was soon flooded with comments from dance luminaries tagging Spencer to make sure she would see them. In case people think the following reactions might be overly-sensitive, I’d point out that if Spencer had mentioned a UK princess taking ballet, there would have been NO laughs, right? Broadway and television dance star Debbie Allen, who has championed the arts for young people for decades, spoke directly to the issue saying, “Lara Spencer – I am sure you did not expect your remarks to set off the firestorm that it has – but it did.” She added, “Poking fun at the dance world, and ballet and young boys – this just isn’t cool.” https://www.instagram.com/p/B1hDs_Rhi2l/ Emmy Award-winning choreographer and So You Think You Can Dance alum Travis Wall posted a video as well saying, “Dear @lara.spencer of GOOD MORNING AMERICA. I have a message for you. Wake up. It’s 2019,” he wrote. “Get with the program. Please share and repost this so a boy who needs to see this feels supported if he dances or wants to!” https://www.instagram.com/p/B1gjmZTBCxW/ Michael Dameski, from NBC’s World of Dance competition, posted this off-the-hook video clip tagging Spencer with the comment, “Still laughing?” https://www.instagram.com/p/B1hH6kmgnP3/ Dancing with the Stars alum Derek Hough chimed in saying he was surprised and disappointed by the comments and laughs, adding it reminded him of how he was laughed at as a young male dancer. https://www.instagram.com/p/B1hEfo6gJGr/ Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Pretty Woman, Legally Blond) added his thoughts advising Spencer to “think before you speak.” https://www.instagram.com/p/B1guMmfnnaJ/ And as my friend Jerome Vivona, A-list Broadway dancer and currently running American Theater Dance Workshop pointed out, dance training develops, “Strength, grace, power, empathy, collaboratio, and balance.” https://www.instagram.com/p/B1iDPrCpebS/ Spencer eventually apologized for her “insensitive comments” midday Friday on Instagram. “My sincere apologies for an insensitive comment I made in pop news yesterday,” she wrote. “From ballet to anything one wants to explore in life, I say GO FOR IT. I fully believe we should all be free to pursue our passions. Go climb your mountain-and love every minute of it.” https://www.instagram.com/p/B1gzsy_D7-L/ I’ll add my own thoughts here as someone who enjoyed a long career in dance and theater thanks to my beginning dance classes at 14-years-old. Echoing what many have said above about the athleticism, strength, and sense of collaboration that dancers develop, I also champion the fact that dance helps men and women to understand the value of discipline which helps people as they pursue other careers outside of the dance world. Finally, I credit dance with keeping me in touch with my own body as I grow older. The photo below was taken when I turned 50 a few years ago when I appeared in Chicago the Musical at the Hollywood Bowl. While I’m no InstaHunk, trust and believe I would not be in this shape if I hadn’t danced all these years.
Good Morning America host Lara Spencer apologized for her faux pas when she laughed on air at the idea of Prince George’s curriculum including ballet classes, which he reportedly enjoys. I posted some of the dance world’s response the homophobic giggle Spencer shared when she reported that news. On GMA this week, she offered a humble, sincere apology for “screwing up.” She also welcomed three major forces from the dance world to talk about the impact of laughing, mocking and shaming boys who dance: 2-time Emmy Award winner Travis Wall, ballet star and soon-to-appear in the film adaptation of CATS, Robbie Fairchild, and Joffrey Ballet’s Fabrice Calmels. 
When she first issued a mea culpa via Instagram, being married to a publicist the text seemed a bit “the network said I have to do this.” But watching her in this GMA segment, I take her at her word that she realizes her mistake. As a guy who has danced for 40 years, and thankfully enjoyed a career of incredible opportunity thanks to dance, I accept her apology and appreciate that it comes across as authentic and sincere. 
