Ballet star Matthew Ball is used to being admired for his physique on stage. Yet, as he sips mint tea in a hotel bar overlooking the Royal Opera House, he confesses that he doesn't feel precious about his body.
At just 31 years old, Ball has achieved incredible success with the Royal Ballet, earning himself top rank as a principal dancer at a remarkably young age. The former Liverpudlian's rise to fame began when he joined the Royal Ballet School at 11 and graduated straight into the company. Despite this meteoric ascent, Ball never shied away from playing intense, emotionally complex roles – including Kenneth MacMillan's ballets. His performances have garnered widespread acclaim and made him a favourite among fans.
However, Ball is refreshingly down-to-earth in person, admitting that he sometimes feels embarrassed after giving an emotional performance. While he acknowledges the mental fatigue involved in the gruelling world of professional dance, he also reveals a tendency towards "negativity" as a means to spark positive change. This introspective approach has undoubtedly contributed to his artistic growth and success.
One aspect that is often overlooked by outsiders is Ball's creative ambitions, particularly when it comes to choreography. Unlike some of his peers who aim to push boundaries or break rules, Ball seeks to tap into the organic beauty of movement. "There's nothing wrong with organic movement," he asserts. Instead, he draws inspiration from literature, music, and painting.
In an industry where image is often more important than artistry itself, Ball takes a refreshing approach to social media presence. When asked about the objectification that can accompany online engagement, he responds by likening it to Michelangelo's David – an iconic work of art whose beauty and sensitivity transcend superficial judgments.
Despite being one of the most in-demand ballet dancers of his generation, Ball has never been content with simply 'ticking boxes.' Instead, he continues to set new goals for himself, driven by a sense of determination from his own childhood. However, as he navigates the challenges that come with achieving success at such a young age, Ball is increasingly embracing a more gentle approach – one that prioritizes self-awareness and humility over ambition alone.
As Ball embarks on a new project called "An Evening With Matthew Ball," showcasing his behind-the-scenes insights into his craft, fans can look forward to an intimate glimpse into the mind of this captivating artist.
At just 31 years old, Ball has achieved incredible success with the Royal Ballet, earning himself top rank as a principal dancer at a remarkably young age. The former Liverpudlian's rise to fame began when he joined the Royal Ballet School at 11 and graduated straight into the company. Despite this meteoric ascent, Ball never shied away from playing intense, emotionally complex roles – including Kenneth MacMillan's ballets. His performances have garnered widespread acclaim and made him a favourite among fans.
However, Ball is refreshingly down-to-earth in person, admitting that he sometimes feels embarrassed after giving an emotional performance. While he acknowledges the mental fatigue involved in the gruelling world of professional dance, he also reveals a tendency towards "negativity" as a means to spark positive change. This introspective approach has undoubtedly contributed to his artistic growth and success.
One aspect that is often overlooked by outsiders is Ball's creative ambitions, particularly when it comes to choreography. Unlike some of his peers who aim to push boundaries or break rules, Ball seeks to tap into the organic beauty of movement. "There's nothing wrong with organic movement," he asserts. Instead, he draws inspiration from literature, music, and painting.
In an industry where image is often more important than artistry itself, Ball takes a refreshing approach to social media presence. When asked about the objectification that can accompany online engagement, he responds by likening it to Michelangelo's David – an iconic work of art whose beauty and sensitivity transcend superficial judgments.
Despite being one of the most in-demand ballet dancers of his generation, Ball has never been content with simply 'ticking boxes.' Instead, he continues to set new goals for himself, driven by a sense of determination from his own childhood. However, as he navigates the challenges that come with achieving success at such a young age, Ball is increasingly embracing a more gentle approach – one that prioritizes self-awareness and humility over ambition alone.
As Ball embarks on a new project called "An Evening With Matthew Ball," showcasing his behind-the-scenes insights into his craft, fans can look forward to an intimate glimpse into the mind of this captivating artist.
. He seems like someone who's aware of the pressure and expectations that come with being in the spotlight, and he's choosing to focus on his own growth and self-awareness instead of just chasing after fame or success. It's refreshing to see him prioritize his mental health and well-being, especially when it comes to managing the emotional demands of his job 
. His approach to social media is also super relatable - who hasn't felt objectified or scrutinized online at some point? 
Anyway, I'm excited to check out his new project "An Evening With Matthew Ball" and get a glimpse into his creative process! 
. It's just so... distracting from the actual content. And can we please just remove those annoying "which thread is the most popular?" polls too? They're not even that interesting and just fill up space.
emoji is so 2018.
. He's also super relatable when he talks about feeling embarrassed after a performance, thats something we can all vibe with 
. Plus, his approach to social media is on point, not everyone needs to be that extra 
. I think fans are gonna love getting a glimpse into his creative process through "An Evening With Matthew Ball", its gonna be so interesting to see how he showcases his artistry 
. He's not trying to be some superstar who thinks he's above criticism - instead, he's just being himself and sharing that vulnerability with the world 
.
still, I love that he's all about self-awareness and humility... gotta respect that 
he's not just basking in the glory of his fame, but actually using it as a platform to spark positive change 
I feel like we're having this convo all over again... remember when we talked about how ballet dancers have to deal with so much pressure to maintain a perfect image? Matthew Ball is proof that you don't need to conform to fit in, he's rocking his own unique style and not apologizing for it. His approach to choreography is super inspiring too, tapping into organic movement instead of trying to break the rules just for the sake of it 
I love how humble he is despite being a superstar, it's refreshing to see someone who's genuinely passionate about their craft rather than just chasing fame 
. And omg, his analogy about Michelangelo's David is everything - it's like he's saying that true beauty comes from within 
!
! He's all about staying grounded despite being in the spotlight, and that's something we can all relate to. I mean, who hasn't felt a little self-conscious after crushing it on stage? 
But what I love most about Matthew Ball is his approach to artistry – he's not afraid to tap into his creative side and explore new things... like choreography! 
plus i love how he uses negativity as a tool for growth - we could all learn from that 
it's crazy to think about how hard they push their bodies & minds 
... also, his approach to social media is so refreshing 
... btw, have u heard that the royal ballet school has an acceptance rate of around 1% 
... talk about high standards 
! Like, who wouldn't feel embarrassed after crushing a performance? 
, can't wait to see what he shares! 
and we ended up staying at this tiny Airbnb in the middle of nowhere... it was so peaceful! We spent hours just chatting and watching the stars, you know? And I started thinking about how people always say that artists need to be tortured souls or something like that 
, you know? Like, who doesn't struggle with feeling self-conscious about their body, even when everyone else is fawning over them? And I'm totally down for someone being real about mental fatigue - as a netizen who's always on my phone, I feel like I'm constantly exhausted too 
. But what I think I admire most about Ball is that he's not trying to be some kind of superstar or anything, he's just genuinely passionate about his craft and wanting to share it with others 
. I also think it's awesome that he's not afraid to be himself and share his creative thoughts on social media. It's like he's saying "hey, being authentic is way more important than trying to fit into a certain image." And can we talk about how inspired I am by his passion for creating art beyond just dancing? Choreography is such an underrated aspect of the industry, and I love that he's not afraid to explore it