Thread: Non-skinny bellydancers please stand up

Hello everyone,

Well, this thread is for everyone of all shapes and sizes. However, would like to ask not skinny dancers, rather little on a plus size. Were you able to get work and get accepted in professional world? I know mostly in pro bellydance world they want you to be in perfect shape, however, I wonder if plus size dancers are able to find work as much as the ones on skinnier side? Please tell me about your experiences. I am size 14-16, so I wonder about you guys.

Here is a dancer Maya Gaorry, I love her. I think her body is somewhat similar to mine. Obviously she is a successful dancer and has a great technique.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iS9X4OkDn0]YouTube - Maya Gaorry Balady 2008[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxtxoDI9ur4]YouTube - MAYA GAORRY LEBANON 2005[/ame]

I wonder if anyone on Bhuz here had success while being a plus size. Sometimes I feel so discouraged. I know not everyone can have a body like Jillina or Ansuya.

Hugs,
Amani

<stands up> <waves merrily>

I fluctuate in size quite a bit, and am currently actually trying to get back down to the size I was about two years ago. I'm currently about a size 16 UK, which is a size... um.. 14 or 12 US I think. I'm never quite sure how that works!

I've been a lot bigger - size 22 at the peak, and that's when I started dance classes.

I have to be honest and say that I was more popular with certain audiences when I was down around a size 12 UK (8 US). However! That's not ALL audiences, and I certainly DID work, in restaurants, as a size 16. I DID have to put up with some comments - most of them "well-meaning" backhanded compliments about being "brave" to be out there dancing in bedlah when I "wasn't a skinny little thing". ,r:; Like, hey,thanks for pointing that out! I hadn't noticed before! Enjoy your meal! ..l;,

Personally, I'd like to get the extra weight I'm carrying back off again, but that's because I've noticedmy asthma getting worse again and I'd prefer to be cutting back on my inhalers and such. And I WAS fitter when I was slimmer, mostly because I ws just more active - kind of a cause-and-effect thing of doing more and therefore maintaining a lower weight, blah blah blah.

Whenever I'm curvy or when I've been slimmer, I've always been recognised as a skilled dancer. And I've always worked - and will continue to work now at my curvy upswing. ..g.: But sadly you do have to accept that when you're curvy, you sometimes aren't what "they" are looking for. And that was always a good way of weeding out the "they"s that I didn't want to work for anyway.

Originally Posted by wigglewhiz

<stands up> <waves merrily>

I fluctuate in size quite a bit, and am currently actually trying to get back down to the size I was about two years ago. I'm currently about a size 16 UK, which is a size... um.. 14 or 12 US I think. I'm never quite sure how that works!

I've been a lot bigger - size 22 at the peak, and that's when I started dance classes.

I have to be honest and say that I was more popular with certain audiences when I was down around a size 12 UK (8 US). However! That's not ALL audiences, and I certainly DID work, in restaurants, as a size 16. I DID have to put up with some comments - most of them "well-meaning" backhanded compliments about being "brave" to be out there dancing in bedlah when I "wasn't a skinny little thing". ,r:; Like, hey,thanks for pointing that out! I hadn't noticed before! Enjoy your meal! ..l;,

Personally, I'd like to get the extra weight I'm carrying back off again, but that's because I've noticedmy asthma getting worse again and I'd prefer to be cutting back on my inhalers and such. And I WAS fitter when I was slimmer, mostly because I ws just more active - kind of a cause-and-effect thing of doing more and therefore maintaining a lower weight, blah blah blah.

Whenever I'm curvy or when I've been slimmer, I've always been recognised as a skilled dancer. And I've always worked - and will continue to work now at my curvy upswing. ..g.: But sadly you do have to accept that when you're curvy, you sometimes aren't what "they" are looking for. And that was always a good way of weeding out the "they"s that I didn't want to work for anyway.

OMG, I am the same way, my weight has been a yo-yo for as long as I can remember. Now I am size 14 US. I have bedlah too, but I wear a bodystocking or simply just for baladi dress. I think I look better that way. I am sure there is not going to be anytime soon for me wearing Randa style costumes. I can dream on about that as long as I live LOOOL

Thankfully in the Gulf here people in general are not so obsessed about weight, like in Europe. In Europe I would probably be considered "fat" because I cannot fit into haute couture dresses, but I certainly can fit in gorgeous abayas and arabian silks, which is OK with me LOOOL I think whether you are on curvy side or skinny side the most important is the skill. Believe me whether one is skinny or not, but if one cannot dance and is unprofessional, the public will see it, the audience will see it. I have seen it with my own eyes. One girl looked great in a two piece costume, but she could not dance, her isolations were nonexistent and she shimmies were done with legs wide open. I did not see her beautiful costume anymore, I only kept thinking that poor thing needs lessons before she went pro.

Hi Angelina,
In the UK, size 16 is the average size (US 14). Walk arond the streets and yes there are lots of slender gals but there are an increasing number of obese people. People who have affected their health so badly that they have diabetes, problems with blood pressure and an increasing number of relatively young people buzzing about on mobility scooters.
This is the future it seems..scary! Many British cities have launched health campaigns to counter the rising weight as well as trying to get the young realise that this world should celebrate the variety and beauty of different body types. You at size 14 (US) and me at UK size 14 we are not dramatically compromising our health and that is what really counts.( Mind you,I dieted last year and my asthma impoved, my BP and cholestoral fell ...all for the loss of a stone) I can feel it creeping back on and I'll do something about it as I was happy wot be lighter but....
My friend and I were watching a US performance DVD on Sat. and nearly every dancer had "a tum" and was shapely and was a joy to watch. Frankly I think the slender (i'm not fond of the word skinny) girls have mountains to climb ( well not really they'd lose more weight ) to look as good some girls with more padding.
In the end it is about skill and cofidence. With those weight will become irrelevant unless it is at the extreme end of the spectrum.
Jen has danced at our haflas when she was carrying more and carrying less weight and yes her weight loss was noted but thecomment was about the quality of her dancing that was delightful on both ocassions.
What I am saying is that a dancer's weight should only be an issue when it is damaging to her health and performance.
Of course if you are trying to be a BDSS that's a whole different ball game...someone doesn't realise we wouldn't be bothered is a more ample dancer got up on his stage as long as she could boogy with the rest!,r:;

Originally Posted by lizajuk

Hi Angelina,
In the UK, size 16 is the average size (US 14). Walk arond the streets and yes there are lots of slender gals but there are an increasing number of obese people. People who have affected their health so badly that they have diabetes, problems with blood pressure and an increasing number of relatively young people buzzing about on mobility scooters.
This is the future it seems..scary! Many British cities have launched health campaigns to counter the rising weight as well as trying to get the young realise that this world should celebrate the variety and beauty of different body types. You at size 14 (US) and me at UK size 14 we are not dramatically compromising our health and that is what really counts.( Mind you,I dieted last year and my asthma impoved, my BP and cholestoral fell ...all for the loss of a stone) I can feel it creeping back on and I'll do something about it as I was happy wot be lighter but....
My friend and I were watching a US performance DVD on Sat. and nearly every dancer had "a tum" and was shapely and was a joy to watch. Frankly I think the slender (i'm not fond of the word skinny) girls have mountains to climb ( well not really they'd lose more weight ) to look as good some girls with more padding.
In the end it is about skill and cofidence. With those weight will become irrelevant unless it is at the extreme end of the spectrum.
Jen has danced at our haflas when she was carrying more and carrying less weight and yes her weight loss was noted but thecomment was about the quality of her dancing that was delightful on both ocassions.
What I am saying is that a dancer's weight should only be an issue when it is damaging to her health and performance.
Of course if you are trying to be a BDSS that's a whole different ball game...someone doesn't realise we wouldn't be bothered is a more ample dancer got up on his stage as long as she could boogy with the rest!,r:;

Hi Liza,

I totally agree. It is about skill and confidence at the end. To be honest I am not a fan of BDSS anyways. I love Ansuya, I like Jillina, but when they are doing their own thing. BDSS as a whole I am not a fan of. I have seen beautiful girls there and yes, there are good dancers, but I would never ever say that they are GREAT dancers who take my breath away. I have seen less famous dancers who were much more impressive to me. Heck, I have seen some clips of our Bhuzzers here and I would prefer them over BDSS anytime.

I also think that if we are OK and we can look good whether we are on skinnier side or on chubbier side, we can still make it out there. I am sure many dancers have made it professionally being on curvier side.

Hugs,
Amani

Angelina, I am surprised a your post. You are such a beautiful dancer and a beautiful person. Confidence comes from within, not your dress size.

Originally Posted by beautynlaw

Angelina, I am surprised a your post. You are such a beautiful dancer and a beautiful person. Confidence comes from within, not your dress size.

Thank you so much! It is so sweet of you to say this. Sometimes I feel discouraged so what I do is I go to youtube and see Maya Gaorry or dancers similar to her. They are inspiring indeed, because they are gorgeous and definitely have the skill.

Hugs,
Amani

I've done a little pro work in the past but don't do much now - but I'd just like to say thanks for the footage of Maya. I've never seen her before. She's about my size, I would say, give or take some bottom. I am quite big but also quite tall, but then again I carry all my weight in my torso. It's nice to see dancers who are great who are of similar body type to me!

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I've done a little pro work in the past but don't do much now - but I'd just like to say thanks for the footage of Maya. I've never seen her before. She's about my size, I would say, give or take some bottom. I am quite big but also quite tall, but then again I carry all my weight in my torso. It's nice to see dancers who are great who are of similar body type to me!

Hi Zumarrad,

I was so happy when I found her clips. I can see that the weight is not even an issue and honestly it makes her look beautiful the way she is. She is a skilled dancer with alot of class and confidence. She is definitely an inspiration.

Sometimes I would go to youtube and see some nice bellydance clips and I see that people put "fat" comments and some other nasty things. I feel sick that people like this exist. I think they are just trolls who want other to feel less confident about themselves, when indeed they are the ones with self-esteem issues.

I don't think there is much of a problem of acceptance within the dance community, but realistically, it is an uphill battle with the GP. Under the right set of circumstances, you may be able to find a lot of professional success (if you have great technique and personality and you live in an area that values the dance as an art, as opposed to a gimmick), but that is not to single you out for size. The same remark would be equally valid for older dancers, dancers who are not particularly pretty, or whatever. The GP has a specific image in mind. If you're not it for whatever reason, you are going to have to be a better performer than someone who is lucky enough to have that look. It's not fair, but it's life.

OTOH, carrying extra pounds does detract from your longevity as a dancer. The more overweight a person is, the more likely they are to have joint problems over time. If you are serious about wanting to have a professional career, there are reasons to lose excess weight that go beyond wanting to improve your looks to get gigs.

*Stands Up*

Size 14. Getting ready to wear my bra and skirt on Saturday for a public event. I'm nervous, but looking forward to showing the GP that not all belly dancers are size 2s.

BTW...Maya Gaorry is a delight to watch. My first workshop was hers! She is as confident as she is helpful and encouraging. A great teacher.

I think the dance community is extraordinarily open to great dancing without regard to color, size, age, gender or other barriers. Can you be a successful bellydancer in spite of being overweight (or underweight)? Absolutely -- if you aim for success as a workshop instructor whose customers are other dancers. If you're great and have things to show us onstage and teach us in class, we don't give a hoot what you look like.

As far as dancing for the GP -- well, they like their women to be pretty, on their terms. It doesn't matter if you're a singer, politician, newscaster, or talk show host. People notice your appearance, even before your talent. A few people succeed in spite of that, but it's a rare and special thing. Bellydancing is no different.

I'm a size 12 -- sometimes closer to a 10, sometimes pushing a 14. I do fine as an instructor, and other dancers say they enjoy my performances. I dance at one restaurant, where the hiring manager is -- surprise! -- a curvy female. She really likes me. Go figure. I usually perform in a body stocking there (my belly is at eye level, the patrons were NOT briefed that their bellydancer for the evening wouldn't look like the Hollywood version) and I've overheard diners talking about that while I was in the dressing room. "You could even see a seam down the side, what WAS that? I've never seen a bellydancer wear something like that before." That smarted a bit -- but it would have been worse if I'd overheard them talking about my belly.

Every time I dance I resolve that I'm either going to lose 10 pounds or quit. In spite of the very supportive management, it's just not fun for me to keep putting myself out there to be judged. I don't blame the audience members, I know what their expectations are when they're told they're going to see a bellydancer. But it's hard on me. If I lost 10-20 pounds, I'd be looking for MORE restaurant work, I *love* dancing in that environment. But at the moment... I'm too self-conscious. So my answer is yes, it can be done, but the issue doesn't go away once you're hired, it's raised anew with every show because it's a whole new audience each time.

Restaurants and dancing for the GP at parties are simply NOT the be-all end-all of performance. There are paid performances where people truly welcome different sizes (and different styles of costuming). ESPECIALLY women's events! And retirement homes, their budget is small but they don't take up your prime performance timeslots. Certain meetings where there are lots of women (Avon and Mary Kay conferences, for instance). Multicultural fairs, if you do folk dancing.

In my experience, young people whose bodies conform to the ideal are most judgemental. They're the ones at the trendy clubs and restaurants. Older audiences and people whose bodies don't conform are the least judgemental.

Those are very interesting posts. What I mean to say would be not at the extreme end of the spectrum. Someone who is a plus size, but not overweight to the point they cannot move. This is why I posted a video of Maya Gaorry so I can give an example.

I am SURE she dances for all kinds of audiences including the general public and I am sure she had many restaurant gigs and other gigs.

Honestly judgemental people, the ones that say oh she is too fat, oh she is too thin, or too ugly, etc... they are they ones that would NEVER have anything good to say anyways and in any case you cannot satisfy them, I would say that they should take their business elsewhere as they are not needed, because they are bitter and they make everything bitter around them.

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I don't think there is much of a problem of acceptance within the dance community, but realistically, it is an uphill battle with the GP. Under the right set of circumstances, you may be able to find a lot of professional success (if you have great technique and personality and you live in an area that values the dance as an art, as opposed to a gimmick), but that is not to single you out for size. The same remark would be equally valid for older dancers, dancers who are not particularly pretty, or whatever. The GP has a specific image in mind. If you're not it for whatever reason, you are going to have to be a better performer than someone who is lucky enough to have that look. It's not fair, but it's life.

OTOH, carrying extra pounds does detract from your longevity as a dancer. The more overweight a person is, the more likely they are to have joint problems over time. If you are serious about wanting to have a professional career, there are reasons to lose excess weight that go beyond wanting to improve your looks to get gigs.

You are right it is an uphill battle, but it is not impossible to win it..g.: I guess it really depends how you personally feel. Of course we have to be realistic that if one is very, very overweight then I guess it would be whole another story. However, someone like Maya for example, I am more than sure she had all kinds of audiences who have accepted her. She is a perfect example of a successful dancer who does not worry about her weight.

Originally Posted by angelina

I am SURE she dances for all kinds of audiences including the general public and I am sure she had many restaurant gigs and other gigs.

I hope you don't think I'm being argumentative, but WHY are you sure of that? I just read her bio on her website and it talks extensively about her teaching and workshop teaching history but doesn't mention a single restaurant or public gig. (the very last sentence on the page says she is available for gigs, but there's no mention of much of a history there).

The reason I ask is this -- a lot of bellydancers are not 'commercially viable' in terms of appearance and don't *want* to take on the struggle of changing public perception of both bellydance and female beauty in general. If they perform mostly at dance-related events (showcases, festivals, workhsop shows) are they somehow 'less than' dancers who perform in restaurants and clubs? If you discovered that Maya Gaorry had never once performed in a restaurant or at a private party would it lessen your opinion of her as a dancer?

I think it's important that we stop holding up clubwork as some kind of high goal in dance. I think dancing professionally X times per week is a great way to build skills quickly, but I don't think it's the only way.

Honestly judgemental people, the ones that say oh she is too fat, oh she is too thin, or too ugly, etc... they are they ones that would NEVER have anything good to say anyways and in any case you cannot satisfy them, I would say that they should take their business elsewhere as they are not needed, because they are bitter and they make everything bitter around them.

You are sooooo right.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I hope you don't think I'm being argumentative, but WHY are you sure of that? I just read her bio on her website and it talks extensively about her teaching and workshop teaching history but doesn't mention a single restaurant or public gig. (the very last sentence on the page says she is available for gigs, but there's no mention of much of a history there).

The reason I ask is this -- a lot of bellydancers are not 'commercially viable' in terms of appearance and don't *want* to take on the struggle of changing public perception of both bellydance and female beauty in general. If they perform mostly at dance-related events (showcases, festivals, workhsop shows) are they somehow 'less than' dancers who perform in restaurants and clubs? If you discovered that Maya Gaorry had never once performed in a restaurant or at a private party would it lessen your opinion of her as a dancer?

I think it's important that we stop holding up clubwork as some kind of high goal in dance. I think dancing professionally X times per week is a great way to build skills quickly, but I don't think it's the only way.



You are sooooo right.

Hi Lauren,

I was sure because she is so professional, beautiful and skillful. If she does not dance in restaurants of clubs, you bet I would never ever change my opinion about her. You are so right, club and restaurant work should not be the only goal to get gigs. Well, what I really meant to say is that Maya maybe performed for general public, maybe not in a club setting, but I am sure other circumstances where general public was present.

Well I have seen pics of Randa who is a big thing in Egypt and by any means she is not a skinny little thing size 0. She is fit, but not a tiny skinny little thing (well you know what I mean here).

Hugs,
Amani

I'm a size 12 but I could go size 10 at times. But the GP wants all of us to be size 0. in reality Its not going to happen for me any time soon. But I agree with Lauren, when I did the pro-thing they want someone less curvy. But To me its not your size its how you dance,entertain the audience. If you put on a great show, some won't notice.I like myself they way I am. And you have to as well. I don't do pro-gigs in restaurants anymore -not my thing. Especially in my area. I will still keep dancing though

Alrana

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I think it's important that we stop holding up clubwork as some kind of high goal in dance. I think dancing professionally X times per week is a great way to build skills quickly, but I don't think it's the only way.

We're seeing a lot of this theme on Bhuz lately, aren't we? Especially on the Miles thread.

Learning to measure success against a different yardstick is one of the best things you can do for your dancing. For me, the lightbulb moment was when I realized that it's OK to strictly pursue performing, even though most of my peers teach weekly classes.

Everybody has a niche, whether it's vending, costume design, photography, writing, historical research, performing, teaching, or whatever. There's no such thing as the "gold standard," only what's right for you.

Yes. I got a LOT resturant/club work as a size 12 and was considered to be the 'fat' dancer a tthat size. Pfffft! Not so much resturant work as a size 14... but the arabic peeps seemed to dig me with more meat on my bones than when I was smaller.
Currently I'm a 16 and working my way back down, not to get hired as a restaurant dancer but to be fit & healthy.

When I am thinner I get comments from GP about being 'lean'. At my age (40+) I can look 'stringy'. I gotta face it. But 5 kg heavier, I am pudgy. 5'2'' does not leave much room for movement. I have found the GP have an ideal. Why not? The GP have an ideal about everything. Put two technically equal and performance equal dancers side by side, but make one a size 8 and the other an 18 - guess who will get the work in the GP arena. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the REALLY sad thing is that the size 8 who is pretty but CAN'T dance that well will get the job over the size 18 who is a great dancer. But I'm not saying anything new...
Personally, I like to see a dancer who is on the heavier side than thinner. I can be heavy or thin myself, so it isn't a personal reflection, I just like to see a bellydancer be softer rather than muscular. But I'm not sure about the GP. I think that I personally get more complimentary remarks when I am thinner and likely more work also. Sad, but true. The bigger problem now is age - but that is another thread!!

This is what I love about Gulf here is that they are not so obsessed with size 0. Extreme end of the spectrum is also bad, but being curvy I guess is OK.

One thing I refuse to do is to conform to those "beauty standards" that make you hate yourself and is the main cause of bulimia and anorexia.

I am not saying of course being skinny is bad too. I think that it is all how you feel about yourself and how you present yourself. The fun part is that general public in some cases will get what you feed them. What I mean is that of course you will get some idiots who start saying oh you are fat or thin or old or ugly, those are the people that can be simply ignored, discarded like yesterday's garbage. The simple answer for those people is, well, of you don't like it you can leave.

This is what one of the dancers Nika Feiruz said. Get up and leave, turn off youtube, find someone else to watch. See her video here, what she says is a total truth: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpjA_eNPbqA]YouTube - fat Belly Dancer[/ame]

I am a tall size 14/16W. The W's fit me better because of thicker waist and fuller bust. In some costumes I look bigger because my weight is carried above the waist. I would wear size 10 pants except the waist would not fit. In yoga/workout pants I wear M or L depending on the cut.

My performances are pretty much limited to workshop shows, galas, haflas, dancer showcases. Some benefit galas include general public audience but for the most part I dance for other dancers. And that can be really daunting, but I know that my size and age will be accepted and I don't have to wory about grossing anyone out or being ridiculed because of outward appearance.

Actually the more close up and personal atmosphere in a restaurant suits me better than on stage but my only opportunities for that are showcases and student nights held in restaurants.

It is what it is. Even if I lost 50 more lbs at age 61 I am not going to be a professional dancer so I make the most of the opportunities I do have.

Souzan

Originally Posted by Souzan

I am a tall size 14/16W. The W's fit me better because of thicker waist and fuller bust. In some costumes I look bigger because my weight is carried above the waist. I would wear size 10 pants except the waist would not fit. In yoga/workout pants I wear M or L depending on the cut.

My performances are pretty much limited to workshop shows, galas, haflas, dancer showcases. Some benefit galas include general public audience but for the most part I dance for other dancers. And that can be really daunting, but I know that my size and age will be accepted and I don't have to wory about grossing anyone out or being ridiculed because of outward appearance.

Actually the more close up and personal atmosphere in a restaurant suits me better than on stage but my only opportunities for that are showcases and student nights held in restaurants.

It is what it is. Even if I lost 50 more lbs at age 61 I am not going to be a professional dancer so I make the most of the opportunities I do have.

Souzan

Hi Souzan,

Personally I think it is great that you dance. You are right, we have to take opportunities we have. I am 29, but I have two kids and I am married. Here my husband would never ever let me perform in the Gulf as you know the unfortunate opinion they have here of bellydancers. I definitely do not share that same opinion because I know what bellydancing is all about. This is why I have take workshops and taught others as well, where I was able to dance when I lived in USA.

Unfortunately in Dubai I have seen 2-week wonders who are called bellydancers. They may look nice in 2-piece costume, but let me tell you I would never ever want to see them dance again and I never want to see their shows. Their technique is nonexistent and some of those "dancers" require beginner lessons from 0.

I'm steadily climbing the weight chart and I'm up to 182.7 and I'm 5'6" wearing a 14. I'm not super happy with my look but I'm not totally unhappy yet.

I love dancing and I will never stop BUT I won't even try to put myself out there to be a restaurant dancer for fear of rejection. I wouldn't be able to handle that. I'm a capable dancer and I would be crushed to have a manager tell me I'm to fat to dance.
So, for fear alone, I am sticking to dancing for myself, which is most important anyway.

Originally Posted by Michelle75

I'm steadily climbing the weight chart and I'm up to 187 and I'm 5'6" wearing a 14. I'm not super happy with my look but I'm not totally unhappy yet.

I love dancing and I will never stop BUT I won't even try to put myself out there to be a restaurant dancer for fear of rejection. I wouldn't be able to handle that. I'm a capable dancer and I would be crushed to have a manager tell me I'm to fat to dance.
So, for fear alone, I am sticking to dancing for myself, which is most important anyway.

Hi Michelle,

I guess you are in the same boat as me when it comes to looks. Not super happy, but not hating it yet... LOL Some restaurant owners are jerks. They don't even hire a real bellydancers, but just a skinny 2-week wonder in costume who cannot dance and yet will dance for a piece of shawarma. How one of our Bhuzzers Carrara Nour said (Shawarma Shuffle of Falafel Fandango LOOOOL) Well, this is probably is entirely different thread ..l;,..l;,

I think the dance community is extraordinarily open to great dancing without regard to color, size, age, gender or other barriers.

I'm beginning to wonder how true that is, actually. Sure, everyone is super supportive of the plump and/or old if they're dancing at ultra beginner level, but once people hit the point of being soloists I've heard more than one person who *should know better* saying Dancer X is too fat to dance or Dancer Y is too old, or whatever. There's a solid core of very slim attractive young women dancing (mostly fusion) in my area and I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but it annoys me greatly. When I first started dancing one of the most liked dancers around was a woman who was obviously carrying a fair bit of fat (as opposed to large and clearly quite muscular beneath, like Maya and *koff* me), who danced fairly simply but with lots of pizzaz and style. Nobody ever said she was "too fat".

Nobody's suggested I'm too fat in my hearing but I wouldn't be at all surprised if dancers who didn't know me considered me too fat/old/short-haired to dance at a higher level, these days.

Wow, Zum. I haven't encountered that attitude, but of course that doesn't mean it's not out there.

I was thinking about the continued success of dancers like Shareen El Safy, Mona El Said, Fifi Abdo, Nourhan & Yousry Sharif, Aida Nour. I don't think within the dance commmunity we give a damn what these dancers weigh.

In my local dance community there are studio directors who are full-figured. They didn't have that shape when they were doing clubwork/restaurants (neither did the dancers named above, I think) but they do now and we continue to take their classes and look forward to seeing them perform in community shows.

I am a size 10 but have been up to a 14. I've been told by certain restaurants that I am too heavy. However others enjoy me. In the end we must dance where we as individuals are supported, in an environment conducive to positive energy regardless of the venue!
xoxo,
-NJ

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I'm beginning to wonder how true that is, actually. Sure, everyone is super supportive of the plump and/or old if they're dancing at ultra beginner level, but once people hit the point of being soloists I've heard more than one person who *should know better* saying Dancer X is too fat to dance or Dancer Y is too old, or whatever. There's a solid core of very slim attractive young women dancing (mostly fusion) in my area and I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but it annoys me greatly. When I first started dancing one of the most liked dancers around was a woman who was obviously carrying a fair bit of fat (as opposed to large and clearly quite muscular beneath, like Maya and *koff* me), who danced fairly simply but with lots of pizzaz and style. Nobody ever said she was "too fat".

Nobody's suggested I'm too fat in my hearing but I wouldn't be at all surprised if dancers who didn't know me considered me too fat/old/short-haired to dance at a higher level, these days.

You just can't let it get to you. I know what you mean. There are hard knocks from within the MED community. Older and heavier dancers simply don't have the same opportunities handed to them that younger and slimmer dancers do, despite of technique or performance skills. Even professional troupes are often not open to dancers who don't fit into some idealized vision. Its the entertainment business and uniform size and appearance is the norm in many cases.

And, of course, we are often our own toughest critics. But you can also say to hell with it and just keep going.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Wow, Zum. I haven't encountered that attitude, but of course that doesn't mean it's not out there.

I was thinking about the continued success of dancers like Shareen El Safy, Mona El Said, Fifi Abdo, Nourhan & Yousry Sharif, Aida Nour. I don't think within the dance commmunity we give a damn what these dancers weigh.

In my local dance community there are studio directors who are full-figured. They didn't have that shape when they were doing clubwork/restaurants (neither did the dancers named above, I think) but they do now and we continue to take their classes and look forward to seeing them perform in community shows.

Lauren,

You are right, but they came to prominence at younger ages and smaller sizes. But thank goodness they can continue to perform within the dance community. I think its funny that to so many being a professional means dancing in clubs in restaurants. There is no way you could say that Mona or Shareen or Fifi, who arent supporting themselves with club gigs, are not professionals.