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Beauty Standards and Pole Dancers
So I’ve been looking at the winners of the major Pole Dance competitions, as well as some of the most well-known pole stars and I noticed there seems to be a pattern with which pole dancers are most heavily promoted.
From what I’ve seen, the vast majority of these women fit into the traditional Western beauty standard. Professional pole dancers who are most visible in the industry tend to be Caucasian, straight hair, thin/slim build, no body hair, etc.
Of course, I do not mean to downplay the incredible talent of these women. Many dancers who fit into this mould (Maddie Sparkle, Alethea, etc.) have inspired me, as well! However, it still troubles me to know that these are the ONLY types of women I have to look up to as examples of where I would like to be, knowing I do not look like that.
It’s not so much that I need a “role model” to enjoy and grow with pole dancing as a form of self-expression, but I question whether or not dancers who do not look a certain way will have the same professional opportunities as women who fit this beauty standard.
It also troubles me because I know so many skilled and beautiful pole dancers who are of various races, ages, shapes and sizes-and although they may be successful in their own way (perhaps as teachers or artists) I do not see this diversity reflected amongst our “top rated” or most well-known dancers. It makes me think that these dancers are selected based on a specific aesthetic and also skill.
I grapple with the question of whether or not it is “wrong” to select winners based on aesthetic (pole dance is also a visual art for the audience) but I also think it delves into a deeper question about who is considered beautiful in this culture-which can be harmful to women in the end. It also shifts the whole concept of pole dance in and of itself. How many times have I heard that you have to be “hot” or “in shape” to pole??
I really feel like if pole dance is going to grow into something larger than what it is now, there should be more diversity in terms of what a pole dancer is supposed to look like!
Any thoughts?
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31 Replies
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I think that, unfortunately, a lot of it is that most women are victims of the social standard of beauty, instead of promoting it.
The idea of having no body hair is definitely something perpetuated by our society, and I actually cannot say if it affects pole dancing specifically. I don’t enjoy having hairy legs, personally, so I can’t say if it would cause issues with grip or hair pulling.
Otherwise, on the idea of having a slim build… have you SEEN Jamilla? She is BUILT. Her shoulders and arms are actually quite large, and it’s (as far as I can tell) downsized quite a bit in her pictures, either by the pose selected, or by photoshop (I don’t know for sure).
However, yes, most of the women pole dancing at the very advanced level are quite slim… because they require a lot of muscle in order to achieve those moves. Muscle is harder to keep up than fat (or even less muscle), so the body uses much more of what it eats to keep them up, rather than storing it for later as fat. Also, they engage in a rather high level of activity, which means a lot of exercise in all ways- strength, flexibility and cardio vascular. This means that any fat they may be storing is quickly eaten up.Otherwise, I have found the occasional difference in those stereotypes, but not much. I found one woman who was beautifully voluptuous and curly-haired, which was lovely to see (as I am both of those). I know that we have veeners here that are of darker skin, curly hair, and different body types and weight.
But… I suppose it would be nice to see a few more “super advanced” women, and men, who break out of those beauty stereotypes.
Perhaps you can set your sights on being one of those to break out 🙂 -
What about Pheonix Kazree, Skittles, Natasha Wang! They’re all amazing!
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Oh and to address the body type issue. I don’t think there’s anything sinister going on. All pro athletes have similar body types for their sport.
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What about Josiah bad azz grant?Or nicole the pole??She was just in Rihanna’s music video.. Both are stunning performers. Every well know pole dancer has worked their ass off to be where they are…they are talented and have something special. It doesn’t matter what race you are or what your face looks like if you’re an outstanding exceptionally talented pole dancer you will get noticed.
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Pantera and Shadow both have titles.
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Roz “The Diva” is not super thin – and I’d say she’s well known.
Also, in my experience (well actually the experience of the guy I partner with), body hair and pole definitely do not always go together. He shaves his upper legs because he found that otherwise he wouldn’t have enough grip in a pole sit to hold me (and sometimes him). So I’d say that, in at least some cases, the lack of body hair is a practical concern. -
Rhiannan Nicole isn’t teeny tiny and she moves like WATER. And she’s strong strong strong stronnnnnng. Oh how I love to watch her. Same with AnneMarie Davies–that woman is an **entertainer**.
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I think people fullfilling western beauty standards will have some kind of an advantage in about any industry. To me it doesn’t seem worse in pole dancing than anywhere else. Many examples of successful performers who are deviating in one end or the other have already been mentioned.
It’s hard to escape the slim body type since excessive weight will make it more difficult on the pol. For the same reasons most champions are short and not of model height.
But sure, some do seem to have experienced “discrimination”, or at least that’s the way she obviously took it. This post reminded me of an interview I read with Pantera and this is what it said:
Tiny:
What competitions have you entered or won?Pantera:
I only entered one big one, The National USA Competition in 2003. I tend to not win competitions because of the way I look I think.Tiny:
Is that tattoo related do you think?Pantera:
Yes, definitely tattoo related. From a business point of view I’m not very marketable with all of my tattoo coverage, unfortunately tattoo is still too ‘Taboo’, it’s too awkward and makes me look very edgy, Or angry I dunno but people don’t want to use that on the cover of a magazine.Tiny:
I friggin would! Well, I mean one day I hope.Pantera:
(laughing) I think most of the time because of the way I am – not really interacting with the crowd when I perform and stuff and having the tattoos, and because I’m strong like a motherf***er, people don’t want to use this bodybuilder, hard-ass biker looking bitch on anything yunno.The full interview is here: http://candy-chrome.co.uk/pole-dance-blog-2/pole-dance-interviews-videos/pantera/
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That story makes a great point! I will say the “pole community” outside of SV is fickle about who they support. Pantera is amazing and I wish those who choose not to compete would be recognized as well. But that’s the nature of media… 😞
I haven’t follow major pole comps for about 2 yrs now and I forget that it’s only champion winners outsiders are exposed to. Unless they come here, we have a great variety of polers with all levels of ability!!!!💜
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Thank you Lina-for that story, and I’m relieved to find someone who feels the same way! I can definitely relate to that as well, since I have tattoos and plan to get more. I won’t be covered the way Pantera is, but I definitely see how tattoos deviate from that standard as well, and why she feels the way she does. I agree that being generically beautiful is an advantage in any industry.
@Veena-I wish dancers outside of competitions would be noticed as well! I think that is one of the problems, actually because it feels like there are some narrowly-defined ideas or routes to success. Everyone poles for their own individual reasons, but I definitely know that I’d like to incorporate pole into my film art, as well as have it as a career option. I felt like entering competitions was the only way to get noticed and have a successful career, hence the reason why I brought this up. But that’s not actually true! And there are so many different avenues 🙂
Thanks to some of the other commenters who have made some solid points, and brought up pole dancers I’ve never heard of. I do know about Nicole Williams-but again, she hasn’t really won any major competitions, so I didn’t bring her up. I also know about Natasha Wang, but she is an exception to the rule. As I mentioned before, I know many amazing dancers who do not fit the mold, but I feel like they do not receive as much recognition as those who do.
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I started pole dancing because I saw Pantera – her strength and uniqueness sold me totally. My first instructor was almost 6 feet tall and built more like Alethea. I am 5’10 and very muscular, I don’t fit the mold either, doesn’t stop me though. Will I ever hit those levels – no, but I will never leave pole either. I love watching and learning from everyone. I guess I just love every aspect of pole, and the people that populate this amazing world. 🙂
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And also I should add-in coming into my own pole journey, I’m changing in terms of what is important to me. It is very easy for us to compare ourselves to more accomplished dancers, and forget why we got on the pole to begin with!
The competitions, money, fame and success are all wonderful to have, but what is most important is your personal relationship with pole as a form of self-expression, fitness, or whatever it means to you! I would get so caught up in learning new tricks and getting frustrated at my level that I would not have the opportunity to relax, freestyle, and flow to the music.
Pole has really made me delve into certain complexities within myself-and get to know myself better. I never want to downplay this aspect of my journey, and I never want to let what other people think stop me from pursuing my passion! I hope other women do and/or will feel the same way.
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I think the diversity of the champions reflects the diversity, percentage-wise, of the participants. There are sports where some races are more predominant, and that’s probably a reflection of the social environment in which one grows up. For example, we don’t see as many white basketball players, or many white tennis players, but we do see some.
Now that scoring is being standardized, for sure ability will count more heavily than looks. Size is certainly going to make a difference … we see this in gymnasts, whose prepubescence is prolonged by low body fat. This isn’t to say a larger curvier woman can’t compete, but it just requires more strength to move that extra weight, even if it is muscle.There are some polers who’ve made a mark outside of competition:
Aerial Amy comes to mind, as does Keex (Kira Lamb); both are bloggers.
We have Veena, who never competed, and didn’t even perform until a year or so ago!I disagree that the choices are made on looks alone … look at the performances!
And you aren’t limited to looking at “champions”, look around here, look on youTube, and you will find role models all over the world! -
Interesting topic. I’ve had this conversation in my head many times. Being on the inside of competitions I’ve always analyzed my own constant failings at them from my ability to be even chosen to my ability to place well. While I don’t think it’s my body or face that exempts me from procuring titles and success it’s my level of ability, I do see what you are talking a out. I suffer from b face. I tend to seem unapproachable because I’m socially terrified (it takes all I have to run around and mingle at events, it’s really hard when you suffer from anxiety) and therefor I’m not very good at making eye contact with judges, I just assume they’ll hate whatever I do, I can’t dance on stage the way I dance at home and half the time, when I’m submitting something I choke, I get scared and generally do not get favor with online judges. A lot of it is my b face, a lot of it is my anxiety, but most of it is that I’m doing competition level dances. I get to caught up in my story and not enough in my tricks. I’m not doing fonjis and exciting moves and that seems to be what sells. In order to do those things you will see a common body type, it’s just not as possible to perform that level without being extremely fit. I think that’s why we don’t see as much diversity body wise amongst high ranking pole dancers. Also consider lines, extension and form – those things look nicer aesthetically on longer bodies, small but proportionate bodies, etc. it’s much easier to make a simple move look gorgeous when you have long legs or a thin waist. We all struggle to find moves that work on all levels for our body. Also think about how many high ranking dancers have a background in something else. They’ve been training their bodies for this their whole life. They have an advantage of body awareness that someone like myself does not have, they know which angles to do things to produce the best looking trick. It all goes together.
I’m inspired by our high ranking pole dancers. It takes a lot of work to get there and for some it may be unattainable due to genetics, time, age, ability, etc. I think it’s important to realize these professionals are just that professional. It’s okay not to attain super poler status, attaining that comes with great sacrifice. This is why I look to all of you as we’ll as professionals for inspiration and hope. This journey heals us inside and out. We are all super stars.
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I love you Charley! Stated so perfectly! -Susan O
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