Does any ballet dancer actually have pretty feet?

Question

Bare feet, I mean, because we all know that they're graceful in pointe shoes.

I've heard that all the pointe work takes a serious toll on feet, with bunions and calluses and whatnot. It's pretty widely known that "dancers have professional... but ugly feet".

So, I'm just curious... what with all the pedicure salons on the street and foot treatment products on the market...

Does any ballet dancer actually manage to keep her feet pretty? "Pretty" as in... presentable enough not to be ashamed to go out in flip-flops and sandals?

Answer 1

Hi. I have been in ballet for 15 years, and en pointe for 10. Our feet take rigorous journeys in dance. It takes a lot out of our feet to become the dancers we want to be. Have you ever heard the expression "Never look at a dancer foot"? It is good advice, actually :) Right now, I have about 3 on my big toe, and a few on my others (calluses). Your feet get trained though. My feet feel like leather unless I get lots of coco butta. I get a pedicure every few weeks to make it look like I have somewhat pretty feet. Dancer can have pretty feet, if they work on it, like I do! I wear sandals all the time...when my feet aren't TOO horrible! I think for dancing, it is worth the pain.
Peace.

Answer 2

That's why some people don't go too deep into ballet and explore things such as Jazz and Contemporary.

For example, if you're full into ballet, you'll get the habit of walking with your feet open wide (what we call turnout). When you try to fix that, you'll bring the habit of not turning out into stage performances.

I don't think it's ugly though. Put it this way, it's ugly because it's not what the majority want. If you're a ballet dancer, you'll look at your feet and even when you're not dancing you'll be really thankful, THAT'S THE FEET YOU REALLY WANT!!! Your strengths are there, your techniques are there, your future and hope are there too.

All ballet dancers know their feet will be disrespected by the community. But they know it's what they sacrifice to achieve what they want.

I have a simple analogy. Professional swimmers have big shoulders and serious tennis players have one arm much bigger than the other. So, are their shoulders and arms "presentable"? That's hardly a question...

Is there a way to fix those? Yes of course, choose not to be that serious in swimming an choose not to become a professional tennis player. As for me, I will choose the road to become a professional dancer.

Answer 3

I would of thought that some feet are prettier than others. However, I doubt that there are any dancers with perfect feet. After dancing for many years, your feet get plenty of rough skin on the bottom, & that's not a particulary pretty sight. I think quite a few dancers do go out in sandals etc to let their feet air out (your feet get a bit fed up of being squashed into ballet shoes after a while) & dont care whether their feet are pretty or not because that's what makes them dance beautifully!

Answer 4

Any serious/professional ballet dancer will not have pretty feet. It's important to take care of your feet in the sense that you must cover blisters to allow them to heal, but they actually need those calluses. That toughened skin allows them to dance in pointe shoes without some of the pain.

Answer 5

Really Pretty Feet

Answer 6

I've never met a dancer with pretty feet, and mine certainly are not pretty. You're right about there being a ton a places to get a pedicure, but what I don't think you understand is that dancers need all those callouses! Sounds strange but the tougher your feet are the less painful it is to dance on them all day. But I don't think you'll find many dancers who are ashamed to wear flip flops. I live in them! I've accepted that I have "unpretty" feet and everyone who knows me understands why.

Answer 7

Well, that depends. If the male dancer is 100 pounds and 5 feet tall, it would be difficult. In no way am I implying that you're fat. You're not. It all just depends on the strength/height of the male dancer who is lifting you. But don't worry, you're weight is perfect =)

Answer 8

Mine are stiff as anything on the soles, and the toes are splayed out in weird positions. (althuogh those are really from modern, not ballet.) But, yea, my pointe shoes give me blisters and I have calluses like heck. My friend does the same types of dance I do, and she has the same issue, so I don't think it's just that my feet are weird or something...

Answer 9

Yes, I do. It takes a lot of work and money. My feet get blisters and calluses all the time but I buy prescribed creams which help the healing process as well as treat my feet to an herbal foot bath every night. I dance ten hours a day as well as model on the weekends. You learn quickly how to take care of yourself.

Answer 10

Have you ever seen an old worn teddy bear with a chocolate ice cream stain on it's mouth? or a ripped and torn blanket from the years it has spent being snuggled with and dragged everywhere? I find beauty in those things because they have been worn over time with love. Obviously a child has loved the objects so much that it has taken a great toll on the objects themselves. Same thing with pointe. A blistered, callused, bruised, scratched up foot looks beautiful to me, believe it or not, simply because it has been worn over time with the passion to dance, and still yet, in pain they don't give up. If that's not beauty.....i don't know what is.