The first time I saw Natalia Osipova dance was seemingly unaesthetic. I had spontaneously clicked on a recommended Youtube video advertising a segment of Giselle, not imagining that the next five minutes of my life would be spent in awe of the tiny pixelated ballerina on my screen.
As an adoring spectator, I have seen many dancers in my lifetime, both in person and on-screen. It is a rare occasion I witness someone who dances as heartbreakingly beautiful as Osipova. Through both her passionate facial expressions and hypnotic movements, she has me fully convinced that she is not an actress, but instead a resurrection of the character she plays. I have never had the opportunity to see her live, yet even just to witness her through the vast web of the internet is a wonderful experience.
Born in Russia in 1986, Osipova began ballet at just 5 years of age. She has since become a Principal of The Royal Ballet, where she has played notable roles such as Juliet, Esmeralda, and of course, my favorite, Giselle. Most thankfully, the world of ballet loves Osipova as much as I do. Among other decorations, she’s been awarded Best Female Dancer from Critic’ Circle National Dance Awards three times in 2007, 2010, and 2014, as well as the same award from the Positano Dance Awards in 2008 and 2011.
Ballet is an art form, not a sport, and thus receives considerably less attention than the more ostentatious athletic activities. However, that shouldn’t discredit any of the work done by Osipova and those who dance with her. There is unimaginable skill to be found in ballerinas, and no matter ballet’s dubious state in the world of major athletics, Natalia Osipova deserves a special round of applause for all she has and continues to contribute to ballet, performance, and understanding what it means to be strong.
