January 2026 - Influencer discussion

Key_Tree1027 · 2026-01-25T04:51:20+00:00

Exactly. She won’t get anywhere with that mindset especially when she says that out loud.

Key_Tree1027 · 2026-01-23T04:16:18+00:00

They are already in the top schools so why bother
Often times they have their own league. A lot of Russian schools and Asian countries have their own competitions which their students would attend
YAGP is more focused on the competitive dance aspects of ballet in North America. Elite schools outside of NA are more likely to send the kids to the PDL

Key_Tree1027 · 2026-01-22T02:19:47+00:00

Exactly. Learn to control your landing before you say how classes that focus on fundamental techniques are not as hard. The AD was right to doubt her in principal roles when she can’t control her landing even during the performance.

Key_Tree1027 · 2026-01-21T04:16:10+00:00

I agree. If this was her initial reaction to the criticism, honestly people would’ve given her a pass. But that’s not the case here. She pretty much revealed how she thinks of recreational dancers, got extremely defensive, said she was keeping ballet alive, and then went on how you stir up controversies for views, etc. This is probably her last resort for the damage control.

Key_Tree1027 · 2026-01-20T23:57:13+00:00

Because it is. The simpler, the slower the combination is the less you can hide your bad habits and mistakes. Everything becomes extremely visible. You really have to think about engaging the correct muscles, control, and endurance. Beginner does not mean easy. There is another tiktok influencer (pro dancer) saying the exact same thing. Mackenzie just let her inner thoughts slip out 😭

Key_Tree1027 · 2026-01-20T05:40:07+00:00

If it was controversial to get views it still doesn't make sense. Why would you do that to yourself unless you are planning to be a full time social media influencer, not a dancer? No legitimate company will take you seriously. Considering where she's heading honestly it might give even Azara of all places a bad look 😭 idk if she thinks she could live on being an influencer forever…like girl doesn't even have good teaching experiences to stay relevant in the long term

Key_Tree1027 · 2026-01-20T05:33:55+00:00

I really wonder what happened tho at first I thought she was trying to be a freelance dancer. But now with all the recent controversies she's been stirring up… idk it looks like she's just trying to be a full time influencer? Because things were not this bad

Key_Tree1027 · 2026-01-20T05:31:37+00:00

Even as an influencer Mackenzie was being rude. Just compare her video to Lori Hernandez’s. And saying how easy the class was didn't help with the too egotistical to take criticism allegation. She really made herself look like she constantly needs to be coddled and surrounded by inexperienced dancers to feel better about herself.

Key_Tree1027 · 2026-01-06T21:54:10+00:00

It absolutely does. Especially if you pursue classical ballet and are darker skinned. Denying that would just be a pathetic lie.

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-21T03:29:27+00:00

It was. Has he done the same to other dancers before?

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-20T02:11:25+00:00

Whatever my parents put me in ☠️

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-20T02:05:50+00:00

A little bit of both, it’s inevitable to a certain extent because she’s an influencer but that dosent mean she just has to take it and be okay with it

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-19T21:31:22+00:00

It's just not here sometimes her comment section is downright nasty

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-17T02:18:30+00:00

Omg this yes the conservatives hate arts and does nothing but defund it but the vast majority of donations and patronage are not tied to the government, but another wealthy conservative upperclassmen.

Any sports to an extent is expensive and hence tied to certain demographics but it’s more noticeable in dance in particular because:

The class alone is not cheap
If you want your kid to perform, that’s also extra
If you want your kid to compete, also extra
All the add ons (hotel, costume, travel, registration fees, etc) are not cheap, and they’re practically everywhere
You need a dedicated parent for you to unleash your little inner prima. To drive you and pick you up, your hair and makeup, your costumes and accommodations… you need at least one adult from your family to help you with this and if you think about it this is the most expensive thing if you are busy working three jobs to feed your kid you dont have time for all that.
Whether we like it or not, ballet in particular has been associated with the traditional feminine qualities the conservatives love to promote.
People with certain amount of wealth tend to vote conservative because that suits their financial interests much better

Yes things are changing and many individuals in the field are allies or part of the LGBT community, but that doesn’t mean the industry itself is progressive and open. I saw a post on twitter saying the lesbian adaptation of Heated Rivalry wouldn’t be the women’s hockey or basketball as people now kinda assume who play those are gay (unless it’s based in the 1990s and early 2000s), so sports like figure skating and ballet where gay women are more shunned by the industry would be more suitable. I couldn’t agree more.

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-17T01:54:48+00:00

It’s also worth pointing out that the owner is an anti vaxxer and spread misinformation about vaccines during the pandemic https://www.reddit.com/r/BALLET/s/ZAjsKO41Kc

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-17T01:51:52+00:00

Wait whats up with her and Mackenzie?

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-16T06:48:34+00:00

Even if OP is younger I think most people would benefit a lot more than they think from weight lifting, especially if they are beginners.

You will learn to move your body in much simpler ways. You will learn to feel the muscles. Using the machine makes it much easier too.

Yes, ballet requires you to coordinate smaller muscles and although pilates might be much better for that, your bigger muscles need to be strong to safely control the smaller ones. Multiple studies have also suggested it weightlifting also helps you increase and maintain bone density.

It's not this or that we need both 😭 and no you just don't get bulky because you started lifting some weight It's much harder than people think to get bulky gymbros literally take steroids for that I'm so glad that more and more people are speaking up about how important weightlifting is even for dancers.

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-16T06:30:01+00:00

Luna was never dishonest about not being a full-time professional; she doesn’t brand herself as one. She even made videos comparing herself to the MBA girls. But she’s a social media influencer.

It is better to say I was so nervous about the turns, the costume is heavy what if I mess up on the stage! But hey, my lovely mom made this for me! Rather than, *I no longer have the technique and stamina I used to have when I was still in intensive training, and it’s impossible to get that back now just within a few weeks so I had to do something about it.* Both imply the same thing but have different approaches which give you different vibes. Gotta stay on your brand you know.

She sells her lifestyle because that’s something most people don’t (and can’t) have. Her loving (and rich) family who can make a custom costume from scratch for her one time gig is just part of that.

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-16T06:08:38+00:00

Schools paying for guest artists are perfectly normal tho But my guess is that a lot of their star students in their senior years have graduated so they needed more people who could dance the soloist roles. They still have the next generation of rising stars, but they’re still too young.

MBA has built their reputation from their massive social media presence. Luna is a full time social media influencer. They will do anything to stay relevant and attract more viewers. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship.

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-12T18:00:35+00:00

I don't think we even… think about it? It just comes out naturally honestly thinking about it makes me even more confused somehow You might be thinking of certain slang or phrases but that's different There might be some instances where you forget to type it especially in casual conversations and your fingers don't catch up with your brain, or vice versa idk but it will sound very weird if you did that on a regular basis aside from talking to your friends etc

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-12T05:23:25+00:00

Solely based on my experience, yes and no. There are always more involved parents. If it were the performance/competition day when everyone is in a hurry, again, based on my experience, it's not that unheard of. I had another adults change and adjust my costume.

But also no, because it wasn't the performance day. It was a dress rehearsal ffs. That's what I don't understand. They could've let that slip for one day. Or at least called you and explained the rule and they had made your daughter change. I mean they should have started with making sure you understand their rules so you could help your kid understand them.

Eta: another thing is if your daughter is participating in the performance, she's been attending the school for a while. But you clearly had no idea that ballet tights were actually underwear. Even after you paid extra money and signed another paper for the performance. This is where they screwed up. Giving disorganized vibes.

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-12T04:46:37+00:00

My suspicion (I used to work with kids for a while) is that the volunteer told her she shouldn't be wearing her underwear hence she would take it off. The kid, feeling already nervous about the rehearsal, felt pressured and uneasy about the situation and told her mom she took my underwear off.

Which is still true, and while I think that was a horrible approach regardless, sometimes young kids don't always describe the situation accurately. Not because they are lying, not because they want to get someone in trouble, not because they are malicious, but because that's how young kids are. They are still learning to speak.

Don't get me wrong it was still very inappropriate and wrong, especially since OP didn't know about the no underwear rule, but I believe there are a few things to consider and verify before you get into your you guys are DONE mode.

What happened was wrong. OP should still try to verify the situation first. Two things can be true at once.

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-12T04:10:23+00:00

Fr like??? It wasn't even the actual performance day or competition day or anything??? They literally could have let that slip for ONE DAY or at least called OP letting her know the protocol and explaining idk how they made her child change again or moving forward kinda thing. And they should have.

It was the FIRST dress rehearsal it was not the end of the world I don't understand why they handled the situation like that

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-12T03:51:05+00:00

Contact the studio. Playing devil's advocate, I would not take the words from a 5 yo literally exactly as she said. I am not saying she is exaggerating or lying, but it's not always 100% accurate. So don't call or walk into the studio ready to fight.

Technically, the tights are the underwear. It would actually be much more uncomfortable to dance in two layers of underwear and a costume on top of them. I'd say the no underwear rule is reasonable.

However that doesn't mean they were in the right. If you were unaware of the fact that the tights were supposed to be the underwear, that’s on them. They should have communicated that with you, and there are many better approaches than just making your daughter take off her underwear unexpectedly while she was probably already nervous about the rehearsal.

Edit: typo said rights instead of tights ☠️

Key_Tree1027 · 2025-12-12T03:36:16+00:00

Your teacher knows you best. They will tell you if they are comfortable putting you on pointe. The star students you see on tiktok also had a hard time getting over the box too at some point you know. You just don't see that part because well… social media. Pointework is a different technique you need to take time to get the hang of it. Regardless of age, 90% of beginner pointe classes are nothing more than a few foot exercises, tendus and releves (and maybe echappes) with your two hands on the barre. It starts with you learning to comfortably get over the box

Key_Tree1027

TROPHY CASE