‘Good Morning America’ co-host apologizes for mocking Prince George’s love of ballet
“Good Morning America” co-host Lara Spencer apologized on Friday after she mocked 6-year-old Prince George’s love of ballet.
“My deepest apologies for an insensitive comment I made during pop news on Thursday,” Spencer posted her on Instagram Stories. “From ballet, which I took as a kid, to anything in life you wish to explore, I fully believe we should all pursue our passion. Go climb your mountain — and love every minute of it.”
Spencer faced widespread backlash after discussing Prince George’s back-to-school curriculum during a segment of the Thursday show. {mosads}
“In addition to the usual first or second grade things, like math, science and history, the future king of England will be putting down the Play-Doh to take on religious studies, computer programming, poetry and ballet, among other things,” Spencer read, pausing before breaking into laughter.
The studio audience and her fellow morning show colleagues, including George Stephanopoulos, can also be heard laughing.
“He looks so happy about the ballet class. Prince William says George absolutely loves ballet. I have news for you Prince William: We’ll see how long that lasts,” she quipped about the boy’s father.
Prince William last year spoke with a 14-year-old male dancer named Junior who was campaigning against bullying and revealed that his eldest son loves to dance, according to a report from People magazine.
“My mother always used to dance, she loved dancing,” William said of the late Princess Diana. “And if it’s something you love, you do what you love. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. Keep at it.”
Critics slammed the “GMA” host for mocking the little prince’s love of dance, pointing to the high levels of bullying young boys in dance often face.
“It is no secret that young boys who enroll in dance classes face bullying to an outstanding degree—according to the documentary DANSEUR, the number is 85% of male ballet students in the United States,” Courtney Escoyne of Dance Magazine wrote.
“We’re all familiar with the hateful, illogical rhetoric that goes with it (ballet is effeminate, boys who do it are sissies, or worse, gasp!, gay), and one would like to think that if the adults in the room were aware of it, they would put a stop to it.”
Comedian Rosie O’Donnell knocked Spencer on Twitter for “bullying on national T.V.”
“Boys who take ballet are cool and they’ll entertain you,” O’Donnell said. “Come on.”
come on @GMA @LaraSpencer #ballet4boys pic.twitter.com/GuEOTWn7NF
— ROSIE (@Rosie) August 23, 2019
There’s nothing funny about a boy who dances. These athletes are strong and brave. Disappointed that this is exactly what happened on @GMA and #laraspencer who shamed and laughed at Prince George for taking ballet. Time for a change. #heartofaboy pic.twitter.com/SU47q9zr4z
— kate t. parker (@ktparkerphoto) August 23, 2019
Other parents and male dancers took to Twitter to spread words of encouragement for Prince George, who is currently third in line to the royal throne.
Hey Prince George! I think it’s really cool that you’re dancing!! Ballet classes at a young age are exactly the reason why I get to this super cool job every single Sunday! pic.twitter.com/tVtSEVmEVa
— Kyle Tanguay (@ktangkyle) August 23, 2019
A little boy named Patrick once took dance classes from his mother almost every day. He turned out to be a great human being, and one hell of a dancer. @LaraSpencer @GMA @ABCNetwork pic.twitter.com/8Q1wxw6UKQ
— Scott Nevins (@ScottNevins) August 23, 2019
Hey boys, (including Prince George)
Ballet is pretty cool. My son took it. So did all these other pretty bad ass dudes.Christian Bale
Freddie Mercury
Jean-Claude Van Damme
Tupac Shakur
Rahm Emanuel
Rio Ferdinand
Ron Reagan
Will Young
Jamie BellKeep dancing. pic.twitter.com/4tMk5OOe84
— Kaz Weida (@kazweida) August 23, 2019
Dear @LaraSpencer, this boy loves ballet. He also loves tap, and dancing to just about any song he hears (or makes up himself). Yesterday, you didn’t just laugh at Prince George; you laughed at every little boy who loves to dance. Do better. #boysdancetoo pic.twitter.com/mbSZVuwKZU
— Chrissy Newell (@MrsNewell22) August 23, 2019
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