Lara Spencer's most recent apology seemed to be better received by the dance community.
"Good Morning America" Lara Spencer is apologizing yet again for mocking Prince George's ballet lessons last week.
“I screwed up. I did,” Spencer said on the show Monday morning. “The comment I made about dance was insensitive, it was stupid and I am deeply sorry. I have spoken with several members of the dance community over the past few days. I have listened. I have learned the bravery it takes for a young boy to pursue a career in dance.”
To nail home her point, Spencer invited three influential members of the male dance community to weigh in on the faux pas.
“I wish people would be more open-minded and understand about what others are doing. More empathy would be lovely,” said Fabrice Calmels, lead dancer with the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. “I teach young kids, and boys just drop because of the social stigma around the form. Children should be entitled to experience things without being bullied.”
Robbie Fairchild, who plays Munkustrap in the upcoming film “Cats,” recalled his own experience with bullying.
“I’ll never forget being in middle school and some of the guys … come to the studio one day after school and they see me in a ballet class,” he recalled. “Pointing and laughing through the window. I can’t tell you how much that hurts.”
Just as he looked up to Gene Kelly in “Singin’ in the Rain,” he hopes his role in “Cats” will provide young dancers with more male role models.
Travis Wall, former competitor and current choreographer on “So You Think You Can Dance,” originally condemned Spencer’s apology on Instagram last Friday, saying that she “added fuel to the fire to the massive problem in this country, which is bullying.”
But the nine-time Emmy Award nominee seemed to take her Monday apology more seriously, and took the chance to encourage more young boys to pursue their passions.
“How many boys have started to dance because of that show makes me so proud to represent that show,” he said. “The message I was trying to get across is that I want more boys to dance.”
The original controversy began Thursday morning, when Prince George’s curriculum at private school St. Thomas's Battersea – where he will begin Year Two – was revealed, and it included French lessons and weekly ballet practice.
As the media was quick to share the sweet news, Spencer seemed to turn her nose at the young royal pursuing dance.
Even though her co-hosts laughed with her, the public was much less impressed, with both social media and the dance community quick to condemn her tone, and Spencer's apology Friday wasn't well-received.
“Lara really?” Broadway director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell said on Instagram. “Some of us take ballet. Some of us win Tony Awards because we take ballet. It’s 2019. Get a life.”
After listening to their stories, Spencer concluded Monday morning, “The lesson is words hurt. It was not my intention but it was insensitive.
“I thank you all to give me the opportunity to apologize personally to you and for you guys coming in here to sit and talk to me and educate me and again, I’m really sorry," she said.
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