Is Alina Somova Too Skinny?

[le_ballet_noir]

There is a board inside one of the larger rehearsal studios, and the instructors often post photos of professional dancers as examples of good technique and for inspiration. Recently some new photos were posted, and one seemed to be getting a lot more attention than the others - a picture of the Kirov's Alina Somova dancing Le Corsaire. The older dancers would comment to each other about the photo - "She's too skinny." "Look at her bones, she needs to eat." "She looks sick." I took a makeup lesson in a lower-level class, and even the teenage dancers made similar comments - "Her ribs are gross." "She needs a burger."

Here is the photo:



I tried talking to some of the adults, telling them that she's not too skinny, it's just the way she's posed. When you arch your back like that, and have your leg extended behind you, your body forms a "U" shape and your ribs stick out - it's not gross or unnatural. I don't think she's too skinny at all. Had she been posed differently, I don't think anyone would be commenting about her ribs or that "she needs a sandwich." I have to admit, I am annoyed by the sentiment "she needs to eat" in response to someone looking skinny. It's not a good attitude nor response, especially if the person really is suffering from an eating disorder.

Here are some more pictures of Alina Somova









I'm curious to hear opinions from dancers and non-dancers. What is the criteria for "too skinny" if that is the opinion you hold?