US TV host sparks outrage after mocking Prince George for taking ballet classes

A US TV host has been heavily slammed on social media after openly mocking Prince George for taking ballet classes as part of his new and varied school curriculum – with many claiming her views are outdated and some even accusing her of bullying.

Good Morning America host Lara Spencer dedicated a segment on the show to discussing reports this week that the six-year-old would be taking on ballet classes during his second year at St Thomas’s School in Battersea, along with classes in religious studies and poetry.

“Young Prince George, just six years old, heading back to school like so many kids around the world but unlike other kids his age, it sounds like the third in line to the throne is in for quite a demanding year,” Spencer said on air. “In addition to the usual first or second grade things, like math, science and history, the future King of England will be putting down the Play-Doh to take on religious studies, computer programming, poetry and ballet, among other things.”

She appeared to dramatically pause to allow the crowd to launch into laughter, before joining in herself. Then, as a photo popped up on screen of George lying down in the grass laughing, she added: “He looks so happy about the ballet class. Prince William says George absolutely loves ballet. I have news for you, Prince William: We’ll see how long that lasts.”

She was referring to Prince William’s previous comments last October to a 14-year-old dancer named Junior, who was attending a reception at Kensington Palace. According to People, the royal told him at the time: “George is doing dancing as well, he loves it.”

Spencer immediately came under fire on social media, with Rosie O’Donnell leading the charge by sharing a video, saying: “OK, Lara Spencer, seriously? Laughing at boys who take ballet? What’s up with that? Come on, Lara Spencer. Please. I mean, [Mikhail] Baryshnikov, every Tony Award winner. It’s ridiculous. It’s like bullying on national TV. Boys who take ballet are cool and they’ll entertain you.”

come on @GMA @LaraSpencer #ballet4boys pic.twitter.com/GuEOTWn7NF

— ROSIE (@Rosie) August 23, 2019

Lara Spencer on @GMA mocked a 6-year old Prince George of the UK for taking ballet class. It shows that “toxic masculinity” can be spread viciously by insensitive women, too. As a fellow “George” and a lover of dance, I am very troubled and disappointed by her actions.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 23, 2019

Elsewhere, George Takei wrote on Twitter: “Lara Spencer on @GMA mocked a 6-year old Prince George of the UK for taking ballet class. It shows that “toxic masculinity” can be spread viciously by insensitive women, too. As a fellow ‘George’ and a lover of dance, I am very troubled and disappointed by her actions.”

While songwriter Scott Alan added: ” @LaraSpencer and @GMA – how dare you laugh at Prince George taking up the art form of ballet. How dare you shame boys like this. This is why boys get bullied. You are a grown woman. You should be ashamed of yourself. I am beyond disgusted by your laughter on air.”

Meanwhile one Twitter user wrote: “Hey, @GMA thanks for shaming Prince George for his interest in ballet and perpetuating the toxic view that boys/men shouldn’t dance or be interested in the arts. You suck.”

Spencer has since apologised for her comments following the stream of backlash, writing in a message on Instagram: “My sincere apologies for an insensitive comment I made in pop news yesterday. From ballet to anything one wants to explore in life, I say GO FOR IT. I fully believe we should all be free to pursue our passions. Go climb your mountain-and love every minute of it.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1gzsy_D7-L/

However, many people have claimed the apology isn’t sincere enough and have demanded she make a public apology on air – to the same size audience that watched her original comments.

School curriculums have changed dramatically in recent years, with classes becoming more varied and a greater amount of options available to kids. While many Baby Boomers will remember growing up learning core subjects like maths, English and science, many schools now offer kids anything from general studies and creative art classes through to different forms of exercise, dance and cooking to broaden their interests from a young age.