Star dancer Sergei Polunin dropped from Paris Opera ballet after sexist, anti-gay rant

Dance icon Sergei Polunin has been dropped from the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet following a sexist and homophobic online rant.

Writing on Instagram, the Ukrainian-born dancer said he had “no respect” for those who didn’t act like “real men.”

“Man up to all men who is doing ballet, there is already ballerina on stage, don’t need to be two,” he wrote. “Females now trying take on the man role [sic] because you don’t fuck them and because you are an embarrassment.”

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Man up to all men who is doing ballet there is already ballerina on stage don’t need to be two. Man should be a man and woman should be a woman. Masculine and Feminine energies creates balance. That’s a reason you got balls. Same think Outside ballet, Man what’s wrong with you? Females now trying take on the man role because you don’t fuck them and because you are an embarrassment. Man are wolfs man Are lions man are the leaders of there’s family you suppose to take care of everything ! What happen? Stop being weak be a man be a warrior what’s wrong with you??? No respect for you, life will beat you down put you on your knees and wash you out. need a good slap to wake you up Unbelievable!!! Артистам Балета! Мужик должен быть мужиком на сцене, уже есть балерина, не должно быть двух. Мужчина должен быть мужчиной, а женщина женщиной. Мужская и Женская энергия создает баланс. Вот почему у вас есть яйца. То же самое вне балета, мужики что с вами? Женщины в мире сейчас пытаются стать на роль мужчины Потому что вы их не трахаете и потому что вы позор. Мужик ето волк Мужик кто лев - это глава семьи, которий обо всем позаботится! Что с вами? Хватит быть соплей, будь мужчиной, будь воином, что с тобой такое ??? Никакого уважения к тебе, жизнь побьет тебя, поставит на колени и смоет тебя. Хороший подзатыльник дать , чтобы проснулся Пипец !!!

A post shared by Sergei Polunin (@sergeipolunin) on Dec 29, 2018 at 11:57am PST

Polunin later appeared to backtrack, writing in a separate post, “If you are strait [sic] gay or bisexual, you want one love in your life or a 1000, have it, it’s your choice and only you can decide to be you. Be brave: find that strength to be who you are; be honest with yourself.”

Paris Opera later confirmed to AFP however that Polunin would no longer be taking up his leading role in its upcoming production of Swan Lake. Dancers were reportedly told that the decision had been made as the dancer’s statements were “not in keeping with the company’s values.”

Often dubbed the “bad boy of ballet,” 29-year-old Polunin shot to stardom after being named the youngest principal dancer ever at the Royal Ballet at the age of 19. He has since branched out into acting, taking on minor roles in movies including Red Sparrow and Murder on the Orient Express.