Shirley Ballas says bullying almost forced her to quit

Image source, Guy Levy/BBC
By Charlotte GallagherCulture Correspondent
Shirley Ballas said the harassment left her on the verge of stop dancing just before Strictly Come Dancing asked her to join the judging panel. panel.
Ballas said she was targeted by men "at the top" while teaching dancers.
The 63-year-old said the couples she formed were receiving “threats”, warning that their careers would be compromised if they worked with Ballas.

She believes it was because of misogyny and that the men involved "didn't want a woman in high positions."
Ballas spoke about his experiences on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne.
She told Laverne she doesn't believe the industry is much better today, adding: "I still think the bullying continues .There are a lot of great people in my "In the industry, there are a lot of people who want to see people do extremely well. I think we have this handful of misogynistic people with egos that just won't deflate. "

Entertainment Dec 11, 2023 0 13 Add to Reading List

Shirley Ballas says bullying almost forced her to quit

Shirley Ballas on the set of Strictly Come Dancing

By Charlotte GallagherCulture Correspondent

Shirley Ballas said the harassment left her on the verge of stop dancing just before Strictly Come Dancing asked her to join the judging panel. panel.

Ballas said she was targeted by men "at the top" while teaching dancers.

The 63-year-old said the couples she formed were receiving “threats”, warning that their careers would be compromised if they worked with Ballas.

She believes it was because of misogyny and that the men involved "didn't want a woman in high positions."

Ballas spoke about his experiences on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs with Lauren Laverne.

She told Laverne she doesn't believe the industry is much better today, adding: "I still think the bullying continues .There are a lot of great people in my "In the industry, there are a lot of people who want to see people do extremely well. I think we have this handful of misogynistic people with egos that just won't deflate. "