Ballet Community Outraged Over Sydney Sweeney’s Dance-Inspired Photo Shoot

Sydney Sweeney, star of “Euphoria,” has found herself at the center of a heated debate after sharing ballet-inspired photos ahead of the 2022 LACMA Art + Film Gala. While some fans praised her look, members of the ballet community called the shoot “insulting” and “unsafe,” sparking a wider conversation about artistic authenticity and respect for specialized crafts.

The Photos That Sparked Outrage

Sweeney’s photos, posted to social media, featured the actress in a pink tutu-esque Giambattista Valli dress, pink tights, and pointe shoes. But it wasn’t just the fashion that caught attention—it was the details. Ballet dancers and enthusiasts quickly noticed the shoes were not properly laced, her foot placement was off, and her hand position was far from classical ballet form.

Brennan Clost, a Canadian actor and trained dancer, went viral on TikTok for his blunt critique. He pointed out that Sweeney’s left foot was incorrectly positioned over the “box” of her pointe shoe, the ribbons were tied “horrendously,” and her hand looked awkward—what he dubbed “hamburger hand.” Clost also speculated that a ballet barre had been edited out of the shot, suggesting Sweeney may not have been able to balance unaided.

“Insulting” to Dancers: Voices from the Ballet World

Clost’s critique echoed through the ballet community. Dancers and fans flooded social media with comments expressing their frustration and heartbreak:

– “Why the pointe?!?! It’s really unsafe and an insult to the ballet community.”
– “Ballet dancers go through too much hell to not be the first option for ballet photography tbh lol.”
– “NOOOOOOOO! Ballet It’s NOT a joke. She could’ve broken her ankle EASILY. STOP DOING THIS. It’s insulting to us who have dedicated our lives to the sport.”
– “It feels mocking to those who’ve earned their right to proudly wear their pointe shoes. This is personally upsetting seeing everyone call this beautiful.”

The consensus among critics was clear: ballet is not just an aesthetic, but a demanding discipline requiring years of training. Using untrained celebrities for ballet-themed shoots, they argued, diminishes the dedication and expertise of professional dancers.

The Other Side: Artistic Freedom and Fashion

Not everyone agreed with the backlash. Many fans defended Sweeney, insisting that the shoot was intended as an artistic homage rather than a technical ballet demonstration:

– “Why is everyone so pressed over this. 🙄🙄. She looks beautiful.”
– “It’s art. There is no wrong way in art.”
– “It’s an artistic/editorial photoshoot, anyone can cosplay as whatever they want for a photoshoot (provided it’s not offensive).”

Supporters argued that fashion and editorial photography often borrow from various art forms for inspiration, and that Sweeney’s shoot was a creative interpretation—not a claim to ballet expertise.

Who’s Really at Fault?

Even Clost, in his viral video, clarified that his criticism was not aimed at Sweeney herself, but at the stylists and creative directors behind the shoot. “No hate to Sydney. Love that girl. This was a stylist or a creative director that really said, ‘Let’s give the internet something to talk about,’” he said, urging the fashion industry to prioritize authenticity and consider hiring trained dancers for ballet-themed projects.

Safety Concerns

Beyond artistic authenticity, some dancers raised concerns about safety. Pointe shoes require extensive training to wear safely, and improper use can lead to serious injury. The choice to put an untrained performer en pointe, even for a photo, was seen by some as irresponsible.

Sweeney’s Response

As of now, Sydney Sweeney has not publicly addressed the controversy.

Conclusion: A Larger Conversation About Art, Respect, and Representation

The debate over Sweeney’s ballet-inspired shoot highlights a recurring tension in pop culture: where is the line between artistic inspiration and appropriation? While fashion thrives on creative borrowing, the ballet community’s reaction underscores the importance of respecting the skill, dedication, and history behind specialized crafts.

Whether this controversy will lead to changes in how fashion brands approach dance-inspired shoots remains to be seen. For now, it’s a reminder that in the age of social media, every creative decision is open to scrutiny—and that authenticity and respect matter, especially to those who have devoted their lives to their art.