Paris Opera Ballet Drop Dancer Following Homophobic Rant

The company's director announced that Sergei Polunin would not dance in 'Swan Lake' after he posted homophobic and misogynistic comments on Instagram.

Ballet dancer Sergei Polunin kneeling in a bright room.

The Paris Opera Ballet has dropped Ukrainian ballet dancer Sergei Polunin from their production of Swan Lake in relation to the dancer’s homophobic and misogynistic posts on social media. 

The company’s director Aurélie Dupont made the decision to drop Polunin from the ballet – in which he was due to play leading role Prince Siegfried as a “repressed gay man” – earlier this week. Yesterday, the company shared the news via Twitter, explaining that Polunin’s opinions are not in line with those of the company. The tweet read:

“In view of the public statements made by Sergei Polunin, Aurélie Dupont, director of dance, took the decision, not to invite the artist anymore. This is not in line with its values and those of the Institution.”

In December, Polunin took to Instagram to share a bizarre homophobic and misogynistic rant in which he calls for “men to be men” and suggests that women in ballet are performing more masculine roles because male ballet dancers will not have sex with them:

“Man up to all men who is doing ballet there is already ballerina on stage don’t need to be two. Man should be a man and woman should be a woman. Masculine and Feminine energies create a balance. There’s a reason you got balls.”

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Man up to all men who is doing ballet there is already ballerina on stage don't need to be two. Man should be a man and woman should be a woman. Masculine and Feminine energies creates balance. That’s a reason you got balls. Same think Outside ballet, Man what’s wrong with you? Females now trying take on the man role because you don’t fuck them and because you are an embarrassment. Man are wolfs man Are lions man are the leaders of there’s family you suppose to take care of everything ! What happen? Stop being weak be a man be a warrior what’s wrong with you??? No respect for you, life will beat you down put you on your knees and wash you out. need a good slap to wake you up Unbelievable!!! Артистам Балета! Мужик должен быть мужиком на сцене, уже есть балерина, не должно быть двух. Мужчина должен быть мужчиной, а женщина женщиной. Мужская и Женская энергия создает баланс. Вот почему у вас есть яйца. То же самое вне балета, мужики что с вами? Женщины в мире сейчас пытаются стать на роль мужчины Потому что вы их не трахаете и потому что вы позор. Мужик ето волк Мужик кто лев – это глава семьи, которий обо всем позаботится! Что с вами? Хватит быть соплей, будь мужчиной, будь воином, что с тобой такое ??? Никакого уважения к тебе, жизнь побьет тебя, поставит на колени и смоет тебя. Хороший подзатыльник дать , чтобы проснулся Пипец !!!

A post shared by Sergei Polunin (@sergeipolunin) on

The rant continued:

“Man what’s wrong with you? Females now trying take on the man role because you don’t fuck them and because you are an embarrassment.”

The bizarre rant ended on a violent note:

“Stop being weak, be a man, be a warrior, what’s wrong with you???? No respect for you, life will beat you down, put you on your knees and wash you out. Need a good slap to wake you up. Unbelievable!”

Polunin has also attracted criticism for his support of Russian president Vladimir Putin. The dancer has praised Putin in the past, in addition to having tattoo of the Russian leader on his chest.

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Happy coming Christmas!!! When I was in India Kids Gave Me plates with flowers and fire ?, to pray and put on the holy Ganges River. One of the plates and pray was for Vladimir Putin,When 3 or 4 years old kid was passing the plate he sad Putin!!! Our thinking where mutual. Kids know the truth Vladimir is an angel ? let the God Universe Nature Angels Jesus all the religions all the good people on this planet protect him give him strength and Health let’s pray For Vladimir tonight on this special Christmas Night. Love to everyone Health Joy And Happiness Jesus will be with all of us always ❤️ because Jesus is Love. С Наступающим Рождеством В Индии Дети дали мне тарелки с цветами и огнём Чтоб помолиться и пустить по святовой реке Ганга, Одна из молитв была за Владимира Путина Когда ребёнок передавал тарелку он Сказал Путин. Наши мысли совпали Дети знают правду!!! Владимир Ангел ? Пусть бог вселенная природа Ангелы Исус все Религии все хорошие люди Защитите его Дайте сил здоровья Помолитесь за Владимира сегодня вечером. Любви вам всем здоровья счастья Исус будет с нами всегда ❤️ Потому что Исус ето любовь.

A post shared by Sergei Polunin (@sergeipolunin) on

Widely regarded as one of the best ballet dancers of his generation, Polunin gained recognition outside the ballet world when a video directed by David LaChapelle to Hozier’s song “Take Me To Church” went viral.

He later appeared in a documentary film – Dancer – in which he was labelled as “the bad boy of the ballet world” for his criticism of authority figures in the industry, as well as his use of cocaine. 

Despite the backlash Polunin has received, the dancer has shown no sign of regret for the comments made, and continues to share Instagram posts celebrating Putin and the gender binary.

The homophobic and misogynistic post that attracted the attention of the company’s director still remains on Polunin’s page.

© 2019 GCN (Gay Community News). All rights reserved.

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