A new young adult novel, Don’t Forget to Smile, delves into the often-unseen challenges within the professional ballet world, from the sharing of nude photos and predatory behavior to body shaming and outdated traditions. Author Ariane Beeston, drawing on her own extensive background as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer, uses fiction to explore these complex issues, inspired in part by the viral #BalletTok movement on TikTok.

A Fictional Glimpse into Ballet Rivalry and Reality

Don’t Forget to Smile centers on two teenage ballerinas, Clara and Elle, competing for a coveted spot in the International Ballet Grand Prix at the Sydney Opera House. Clara, a lifelong ballet student, faces off against Elle, a naturally gifted dancer who has recently achieved viral fame through TikTok. Their initial rivalry, fueled by Clara’s perception of Elle’s effortless rise and Elle’s view of Clara’s perceived coldness, gradually evolves into a grudging respect and friendship. Through their journey, the novel aims to illuminate the immense dedication and physical exertion required to achieve ballet’s signature grace and apparent effortlessness.

While the story offers an engaging narrative reminiscent of the popular television series Dance Academy, it does not shy away from the darker aspects of the ballet industry. The narrative opens with a stark depiction of nude photographs of young dancers being circulated within a group chat, immediately signaling the novel’s intent to confront uncomfortable truths. This sets the stage for a storyline involving Jason Manning, a seasoned ballet performer who allegedly preys on a young dancer, promising career advancement in exchange for favors.

Inspiration from Real-Life Experiences

Beeston stated that this particular plotline was partly influenced by the experiences of Alexandra Waterbury, a former dancer with the New York City Ballet. Waterbury initiated legal proceedings against the company, alleging that male dancers had shared intimate images of her. Beeston reflected on the courage it took for individuals like Waterbury to come forward, noting the inherent difficulties dancers face in speaking out due to the intensely competitive nature of the field. “I talk in the book about how difficult it is for dancers, and in particular young women, to speak up about this stuff because it’s so competitive; there’s always someone waiting in the wings to replace you,” Beeston explained.

The novel also addresses ballet’s persistent issues with gender norms. As the competition nears, Elle’s friend Ben wishes to express himself by dancing en pointe, a technically demanding technique traditionally reserved for female dancers. The conservative ballet school’s resistance to this departure from tradition highlights the industry’s struggle with evolving perceptions of gender roles.

#BalletTok: A Catalyst for Change

Elle’s character uses her TikTok account, @HardCorpsTruths, to voice critiques of the established ballet world. Her posts address issues such as routine body shaming, the historical use of culturally insensitive practices like blackface by some companies (referencing past controversies involving the Bolshoi Ballet), and the often prohibitive costs associated with ballet training. Beeston found inspiration in the online community of young dancers who are using platforms like TikTok to hold the ballet world accountable.

“I watched so many TikToks about this — these kids coming through love ballet and everything about it, but they can also want to change it,” Beeston observed. “They’re able to hold both of those truths at the same time and do it in a way that is starkly funny and intelligent. I learned a lot from watching that. Just because you fiercely love something doesn’t mean that you can’t also want aspects of it to change.”

Author’s Personal Connection to Ballet

Beeston sees elements of herself in both Clara and Elle. She identifies with Clara’s traditionalist approach, drawing from her own training experiences in the 1990s and observing how much has and hasn’t changed in the industry. “Clara is a lot like me, so I drew on my own experiences of training in the 90s, looking at how much has changed but how little has changed at the same time,” she said. Elle, conversely, represents Beeston’s current perspective, embodying a more critical view of the ballet world that she developed over time.

A significant personal challenge Beeston faced was being told she was too short to pursue a professional ballet career, an experience she notes is common. “I think there are still quite stringent requirements around height and body shape. It’s one of the harsh realities that you can burn out and feel ‘Well, there’s nothing I can do to change this, the ballet world doesn’t want me’,” she stated. While acknowledging progress in diversity, Beeston believes the industry still has a considerable distance to travel.

The Healing Power of Dance

The novel also touches upon the profound sense of peace and transformation dancers can experience on stage, a feeling Clara describes as becoming “a different person” when performing. Beeston rediscovered dance as a crucial element of her recovery following severe perinatal mental illness after her son’s birth. She now teaches adult ballet classes, emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of movement.

“Part of what I found so healing was that when you’re in the studio, dancing, you’re very much out of your head and in your body,” Beeston shared. “I find, now, for people I know who experience anxiety, dancing and moving through that can be so helpful. My lovely adult beginner ballerinas come in from different careers, or they’re parents, and for them it is such a nice hour where you can forget about what’s happening in the world outside and just focus on dance; it is really special.”

Don’t Forget to Smile is published by Black Inc.