Russian ballerina Anastasia Volochkova stated she does not condemn performers for a lack of talent or for lip-syncing during live stage performances.
Speaking in an interview with the Russian television station Fifth Channel, the dancer explained that she maintains respect for all of her stage colleagues regardless of their artistic talent or vocal abilities.
Volochkova cited artists who rely on pre-recorded soundtrack tracks as a primary example, stating that she would never presume to pass judgment on any creative individual. She added that performers who sing to a soundtrack still deserve respect from audiences and peers because their work constitutes a form of creative expression.
Volochkova, who holds the official title of Honoured Artist of Russia, is a prominent classical dancer and public figure who rose to national fame as a soloist with the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Fifth Channel, headquartered in Saint Petersburg, is one of Russia's major nationwide television broadcasters, offering cultural programming and celebrity interviews.
Technique, online criticism and upcoming concerts
Addressing her own career on stage, Volochkova acknowledged that many of her professional colleagues surpass her in classical ballet technique. However, the dancer noted that she consistently responds to online criticism from detractors who target the creative work to which she remains dedicated.
The practice of lip-syncing, which involves miming or singing along to pre-recorded phonograms during live appearances, has long been a subject of discussion within the entertainment industry. While some critics view backing tracks as a compromise in performance quality, supporters argue that they help artists deliver visually demanding stage shows.
Her latest comments follow earlier statements in which she revealed she was entirely unfamiliar with the work of American rapper Kanye West. Speaking to journalists about reports of a planned performance by West in Saint Petersburg, Volochkova stated she had never heard of the musician and had no interest in his concert because her schedule is fully occupied with preparations for her own upcoming shows.
Saint Petersburg, situated on the Baltic Sea in northwestern Russia, is the nation's second-largest city and serves as its cultural capital. West is an internationally recognized American hip-hop artist, record producer and fashion designer known for high-profile global concert tours.
