I would love to thank everyone who has shared their story over the past few days. I think as we are seeing (and as sickening as it is) this is a true problem in the ballet industry. It takes SO much courage to speak up in our world, so I applaud each and every one of you.
There is something else I would like to address. Since speaking out, the validity of my story has been called into question by some of my former MCB colleagues. I would like to discuss this further. First and foremost, this was NEVER about the other dancers at MCB. They are a beautiful group of talents who work incredibly hard, and I truly encourage you all to keep following and supporting them. We all need to band together and be there for each other through this. And they absolutely deserve that.

That video was about me speaking my personal truth. Quite frankly, it’s very hard to come out and say that I was told I was too large YET AGAIN. This is something I’ve been dealing with for most of my career. And it’s very tough to hear. But some of my colleagues have claimed that I was fabricating things. It was also pointed out that I didn’t seem to work hard enough and that I was playing the victim. They are ABSOLUTELY entitled to their opinions, and I will not fault them for that. But I want to share a bit more from my perspective.

I would like to start by saying that you never truly know what someone is going through. Unless you have been privy to every meeting, every hallway conversation, every comment in class, every doctor appointment, or have been with them 24/7, you can’t possibly know the whole story. Here’s a bit further into what happened. Once my body was called into question by artistic, I started doing whatever I could to get the weight off. Part of that was not eating, but I also over-did it in other ways. So some days, instead of going to class, I went to my nearby Equinox to do cardio for an hour and sit in the sauna to try and burn off every inch I could. Even looking thinner from one day to the next was important to me. There were cardio machines at the ballet studio, but I wanted to work on my own time away from prying eyes. I was too embarrassed. I was desperate to burn fat, and quite frankly, cardio does that better than class. I even hired a personal trainer on my own dime and worked with her when I wasn’t rehearsing. I was so desperate to please the powers at be so I could dance. But I kept all of that to myself out of fear of being judged or ridiculed further.

Once I was pulled from Firebird, I was so humiliated that I truly couldn’t bring myself to be in the building any more than I had to be. Was this lazy? In some people’s eyes maybe. But I was so messed up mentally that I couldn’t look at myself in a leotard. I knew I wasn’t coming back next season (especially after being pulled out of Nine Sinatra Songs), so I didn’t want to put myself through being in company class every day. Especially when we went into the theater for performances (and I was the only member of the company not performing AT ALL), it was beyond humiliating. All I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and hide. So I did whatever I had to do to stay mildly sane. I tried to put on a good face which might have come across as cold or uncaring, but I was dying inside.

For some people ballet class is therapy. However at that point, for me is was torture. I knew my body was being scrutinized at every turn, so for my own sanity, I started avoiding it. I am certain the fact that I wasn’t always in class towards the end has translated to me “not working hard”. Honestly, I just couldn’t do it any more. When you have been told your body is not good enough TIME AND TIME again, it truly does a number on your psyche. And being taken out of so many roles left me depressed and deflated. So instead, I kept going to the gym FOR ME and to not be under the gaze of anyone. Your mental state is a big thing especially for dancers. And I’m sure everyone who has been in this situation understands that to varying degrees.

I didn’t fully disclose all of the medical things that were going on. My autoimmune illness is absolutely real, and looking at my blood work results was highly disheartening. I had been off medication for 3 years, and at that point had to go back on it. And sometimes that medicine makes your body tired. One of the problems that makes Hashimoto’s so tricky is that stress makes it flare up. So while many people CAN lose weight by starving or doing insane amounts of exercise under pressure (not advocating for that), for those of us with this condition... it’s the opposite. Your body freaks out, shuts down, and holds onto everything it possibly can. I know that seems illogical, but others with this illness can attest  to that. My doctor told me it was important to do what I needed to do not just for my mental health but for my body so it didn’t shut down completely. I truly think that’s one of the reasons I pulled my calf. I wasn’t eating enough and my muscles were giving out. So that’s just one more thing I was dealing with.

I don’t say all of this for sympathy or to provide excuses. I say all of this to reiterate that you don’t know the full story of what someone is dealing with. As I said previously, my colleagues are entitled to their opinions, and I have no doubt that some of them believe I wasn’t working hard and that I didn’t care. That’s totally fine. I’m sure I would have felt the same if I had been in their shoes. But I did care. Deeply. It was just out of sheer humiliation and letting everyone down that I completely shut down. Could I have fought back more and been fired up more to prove myself? Possibly, but at that point, I don’t think so. I was suffering under what had been said to me about my weight over and over again, and the fight was gone. Others might have been stronger than I was and reacted differently, but everyone’s way of dealing with things is unique. I apologize if anything I said in that video offended anyone, and I regret my comment about the “breadcrumb show”. That was uncalled for, but I was blowing off steam. I am human after all.  

What speaks volumes to me is the amount of stories I’ve heard about over the last 48 hours, not just at MCB but at companies and schools everywhere. It’s sickening. And things absolutely need to change. We need to support each other through this- the ballet world is hard enough! The dancers are the life of this art form. As I said before, THANK YOU to all of you who spoke out. This is too important. I was prepared for backlash, as that’s the risk you take when you rock the boat. But as I do have this platform, I have to use it to speak up for those who can’t. I needed to speak up from my point of view, and you are helping all of us by speaking out as well! I will continue to fight for each and every one of you.

So much love and gratitude to all of you. With all my heart, Kathryn

They don't fit your mold. Miami City Ballet is not Kathryn-shaped. Not in beauty, grit, compassion, innovation, or tenacity. They don't deserve your name on their roster. <3

I can't believe that a company got KATHRYN MORGAN as a soloist and screwed up so bad. The fact that eight dancers left speaks volumes. This whole thing is infuriating, heartbreaking and inspiring all at the same time. Katie, you are an absolute inspiration to so many, including me, an almost thirty year old dance teacher.
Also, The Columbus Ballet in Georgia would GLADLY get involved with Kathryn Morgan and Friends! My kiddos adore you and would be so grateful for a wonderful opportunity to perform with professional dancers. We don't get to interact with many "bigger" names in Ballet, because of where we're located.

“Leave your name on the roster”....they wanted to use your name and online presence. It’s absolutely despicable that they hired you and then proceeded to treat you so poorly. I’m so sorry you went through all of this. You let none of us down for putting your health and emotional wellness first! This happened for you and not to you. MCB clearly needs better leadership if 8 other people left as well. The ballet and concert dance world can be such a toxic place. A big reason I had to step back and reevaluate my dance journey.

They wanted you for your name, not for what you are or what you can do. It's a sick publicity stunt that I hope will backfire on them.

Stop making excuses for them. The fact that “you’re not someone’s cup of tea” does not excuse manipulative leadership.

I started in that world. I weighed 78 pounds at 5 feet tall. My weight wasn’t the problem. The problem was I developed double D cup breasts. No amount of weight loss would ever change it. I had a breast reduction done. I went down to a C. I was still “destroying the line” they wanted to see. That was my “Bye, Felisha” moment. I loved dance so much I began teaching and doing a different style of dance for stage. I returned to a healthier weight and even grew 5 inches. So I’m now 5’5”! I had been literally, figuratively, and spiritually stunting my own growth. Additionally, the breast reduction (painful af btw) was useless. As I started growing again, my breasts grew back.

Decades later, my husband and children appreciate my body that became healthy enough to carry a pregnancy, after 7 miscarriages, breastfeeding for a year with each child, and is now surviving a brain tumor. Praise the body you have!

sounds like a toxic environment.   You did the right thing.

Their professionalism was non-existent. They were rude, petty, and toxic. No two words about it.

The culture of psychological abuse and mandated anorexia in ballet has to stop. I am so sorry you had to go through this.

I’m disappointed that companies have such a low opinion of their audience that they think we are unable to appreciate artistry without dancers being nearly skeletal. They perpetuate such a harmful and totally unnecessary narrative. Artistry goes beyond the physical.

Totally unnecessary abuse, and from a woman director, even worse.

A dear friend of my family once quit a job that was damaging to her mental health by saying "I'm going to go where I am celebrated, not tolerated.) I was probably about 5 when this happened and it has stuck with me my whole life. I hope it sticks with everyone who reads this too.

You haven’t let anyone down, Kathryn. If you had stayed, you would have let yourself down, and that would have been far worse. Your views toward dance and dancers are too pure and altruistic to fit into the mold that company had for you. I’m glad you listened to your heart and body and are out of that situation. You are loved by so many, and we’re happy to see you thrive! We’re cheering for you!

You know what Katie, Margot Fonteyn would never have been put on a stage, as she was, for as long as she was, based on Miami Ballet’s concept of what makes a dancer great. You just have the most beautiful lines, gorgeous legs, graceful, musical and lyrical, and are a joy to watch..if being a great dancer equates only to size and not talent, then ballet, especially American ballet has shot itself in the foot. 🩰

It kills me that young dancers who don’t have Katheryn’s 32-year-old discernment are frequently subjected to this sort of abuse and remain in the situation until their bodies and hearts are broken. I’m so glad that you listened to your body, Katie, and got out of such a toxic environment. It’s deeply troubling that MCB management handled themselves in this way.

Wow! Slaughter is THE ballet for people who think it's all just ribbons and tutus. Incredible watching you dance that piece, and it showcases your range beautifully

If ballet were really only about perfect bodies, perfectly executing pre-choreographed moves, it could be done by animatronic puppets. But it is not. It is about the physical body expressing the yearnings of the soul. I wouldn't have blamed you for simply shutting down, crying, and giving up. I fear I would have. Instead, you are saying, "I will not accept this. I am going to dance." It's a beautiful demonstration of courage. Let's give Kathryn a standing ovation.

I understand having preferences for a “look”, but for you to tell them before you signed the contract that you can’t be the stereotypical “ballet body”, have them tell you they’re ok with that, and then turn around and pull the behaviors you had directed at you? That is unacceptable.

My jaw dropped when they told you you are not an inspiration because you’re not stick skinny. I can’t believe you experienced that and it’s a testament to how inspirational you truly are that you can speak on this with clarity and honesty. Love you Kathryn