Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Dancer settles ‘body shaming’ legal case against Royal Ballet School

The dancer says she was poked in the buttocks and thighs without permission

Jess Glass
Thursday 30 January 2025 10:16 EST
Comments
Ellen Elphick developed an eating disorder resulting in anorexia
Ellen Elphick developed an eating disorder resulting in anorexia (Justin Sutcliffe)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A former Royal Ballet School student has settled a legal case over claims of body shaming, her lawyers have said.

Ellen Elphick, who attended the London school between 2009 and 2012, brought legal action alleging body shaming by several teachers in breach of the school’s duty of care.

On Thursday, her lawyer Leigh Day announced the case had been settled in what is thought to be the first settlement of its kind over body shaming in ballet.

The school has not admitted liability or offered Ms Elphick an apology, her lawyers added.

Ms Elphick, who attended the school until she was 19, developed an eating disorder resulting in anorexia which she believes was the result of body shaming she received during training.

She claimed this included being made to stand in front of a mirror while a teacher pointed out the parts of Ms Elphick’s body she was disgusted by and would cut off due to their size, as well as being poked in the buttocks and thighs without permission.

The former dancer continues to have body dysmorphia and was unable to pursue a career in dance after the treatment she received, her lawyers added.

Ms Elphick said: “As I reflected on the training I had experienced at the Royal Ballet School and the eating disorder I developed, I felt there could have been different approaches in teaching in the years I was there.

“I have had children coming to me with issues they had had and I started to realise there is a huge issue for people in my year who had had similar treatment to me.

“I decided to bring a legal claim, which I am making public because I want to bring awareness so that children can go into dance and not leave it damaged as I am.”

Dino Nocivelli, who represented Ms Elphick, said: “It is time that the ballet community now finally accepts the duty of care it owes to its dancers, accepts where failings have taken place and the harm caused, and changes significantly for the better.

“We continue the demand we made in 2023 that the government conducts an inquiry into body shaming and abuse in ballet. We cannot stand by while another generation of ballet dancers suffers.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in