We see dancers as this amazing and beautiful people. What most people don’t know is the deep darkness behind the idea of a “dancer”. Growing up as a dancer was difficult. You have to portray a certain image as well as body image. A non skinny dancer wasn’t the most liked thing in the dance world, although I wasn’t a stick growing up. I had a really hard time with body image. Reading an article by Laura Riva, titled “The Darkside of Dance Addiction”. One main part of the Dark-side this addiction in social isolation. Dance is a very social activity although people who are dance addict are profoundly lonely especially in large scenes. Many of the most diehard dancers substitute dance for inner personal connection. Sometimes it’s because I feel awkward and social contexts. Developing dance skills become a form of ‘social credibility’, with dance desirability replacing real friendship. Many new dance Alex end up losing touch with old friends as they become more ‘serious’ about dance. That’s even worse, who wants to end up friendless even tho your doing what you may love. At the end of the day the dance addict realizes they don’t know anyone, even if they’re the most sought after dancer in the room. That can be an incredibly lonely realization.(Riva, 2016)
