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Behind the Red Velvet Curtain: An American Ballerina in Russia
Joy Womack made history in 2012 when she became the first American ballerina to sign a contract with the Bolshoi Ballet Theater in Moscow, Russia. It’s a dream she left her home country for and spent years of training to achieve.
But dancing in Moscow was not the Onion Dome and Tchaikovsky soundtrack fairy tale she’d hoped for. The Bolshoi and its school were filled with cutthroat competition, acts of violence, and coaches who encouraged obsessive devotion. They sent her on stage with broken bones, helped her forge immigration paperwork, and encouraged her to toe a dangerous political line - all for the privilege of dancing on one of the world's most storied stages.
As Joy’s career took off and she made a name for herself in the Russian ballet world, she had to face a hard choice. Despite her love for her adopted homeland and its world-famous theaters, she was aware of the growing dangers of a professional lifestyle descending into corruption. Her concerns grew stronger with the awareness of a possible war with Russia's neighbor, Ukraine.
Joy spent three years dancing prima roles for the Kremlin Palace Theater and now lives in Paris with her husband, where she performs internationally and with the Paris Opera.
But dancing in Moscow was not the Onion Dome and Tchaikovsky soundtrack fairy tale she’d hoped for. The Bolshoi and its school were filled with cutthroat competition, acts of violence, and coaches who encouraged obsessive devotion. They sent her on stage with broken bones, helped her forge immigration paperwork, and encouraged her to toe a dangerous political line - all for the privilege of dancing on one of the world's most storied stages.
As Joy’s career took off and she made a name for herself in the Russian ballet world, she had to face a hard choice. Despite her love for her adopted homeland and its world-famous theaters, she was aware of the growing dangers of a professional lifestyle descending into corruption. Her concerns grew stronger with the awareness of a possible war with Russia's neighbor, Ukraine.
Joy spent three years dancing prima roles for the Kremlin Palace Theater and now lives in Paris with her husband, where she performs internationally and with the Paris Opera.
274 pages, Hardcover
First published February 19, 2025
19 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 14, 2025
I had no idea what I was getting into. What fifteen-year-old ever knows anything about what their decisions mean, what future disasters they're signing themselves up for? I was too busy thinking about how this felt like the beginning of a fairy tale. (loc. 350*)
In 2009, when Womack was fifteen, she took a leap: she moved across an ocean to Russia to train at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, the affiliate (and feeder) school of the Bolshoi Ballet and a world away from what Womack knew in the States, not least—but also not only—because she had left her family behind and didn't speak Russian. Already, though, she had a dream: to not just graduate from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy but to be accepted by the Bolshoi Ballet itself. And she was, eventually...but of course it wasn't exactly that simple.
Womack got a fair amount of press as a dance student and later Bolshoi dancer because, although she was not the only American to study ballet in Russia, the numbers are low, and for an undetermined reason Womack was placed not in the program for foreigners but in the standard Russian track. (Her teacher's verdict: she could stay, but only if she learned Russian.) And the book is unique just for the scenario: I've read my fair share of ballet memoirs (and then some), but they've almost all been by people studying and then working in the West; a large part of this book is shadowed by the culture shock of moving across the world, alone, at a young age, and a further part is shadowed by the culture shock of moving back.
I don't know much (and by much I mean anything) about Womack as a dancer, but it's impossible not to feel her sheer ambition here, the determination to make it to the top, whatever that means—and perhaps (though I might be extrapolating too much here) to make the move and the training and all the attendant challenges worth it.
There are some surprising intersections of some of my more specific reading interests here, including that Womack grew up in what sounds like a hyperconservative church; at one point she references umbrellas of authority, which is something I mostly hear about in the context of the IBLP (think the Duggar family). I wished she had gone into some more detail, especially when she says things like this:
I learned a way of thinking at [the church] that felt like fitting fastened wheels into an iron rail. [...] Critical thinking skills were not necessary to keep moving on this sort of track. Neither was compassion or questioning. Questioning, in fact, was something that could get you in trouble. It was wrong and an affront. Good kids, faithful kids, patriotic kids, kids who were going somewhere didn't ask questions.
This was a rail that helped me fit in at all sorts of ballet companies, as it turned out. It helped me fit in in Russia. (loc. 250)
That's fascinating to me, and it makes a ton of sense, but gosh I would have liked it explored further—I was hoping to come to a point in the book where she started realizing how the one experience fed into the other, but instead she remains largely uncritical of that aspect of ballet in Russia. (Not about everything: She and her husband were out of the country when Russia invaded Ukraine, and she writes that they intentionally have not been back since.) In general I think I could have used some more connections between...experience and emotion, I guess, and perhaps some more interrogation of her own reactions to various events (e.g., much of what happened in Boston).
Not a standout as far as writing goes, but I'm glad Womack worked with a ghostwriter (or cowriter) on this—I genuinely appreciate it when memoir writers know that it will be helpful to work with a trained writer. This will probably be most interesting to ballet enthusiasts, but there's plenty of complication for more general memoir readers.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
In 2009, when Womack was fifteen, she took a leap: she moved across an ocean to Russia to train at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, the affiliate (and feeder) school of the Bolshoi Ballet and a world away from what Womack knew in the States, not least—but also not only—because she had left her family behind and didn't speak Russian. Already, though, she had a dream: to not just graduate from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy but to be accepted by the Bolshoi Ballet itself. And she was, eventually...but of course it wasn't exactly that simple.
Womack got a fair amount of press as a dance student and later Bolshoi dancer because, although she was not the only American to study ballet in Russia, the numbers are low, and for an undetermined reason Womack was placed not in the program for foreigners but in the standard Russian track. (Her teacher's verdict: she could stay, but only if she learned Russian.) And the book is unique just for the scenario: I've read my fair share of ballet memoirs (and then some), but they've almost all been by people studying and then working in the West; a large part of this book is shadowed by the culture shock of moving across the world, alone, at a young age, and a further part is shadowed by the culture shock of moving back.
I don't know much (and by much I mean anything) about Womack as a dancer, but it's impossible not to feel her sheer ambition here, the determination to make it to the top, whatever that means—and perhaps (though I might be extrapolating too much here) to make the move and the training and all the attendant challenges worth it.
There are some surprising intersections of some of my more specific reading interests here, including that Womack grew up in what sounds like a hyperconservative church; at one point she references umbrellas of authority, which is something I mostly hear about in the context of the IBLP (think the Duggar family). I wished she had gone into some more detail, especially when she says things like this:
I learned a way of thinking at [the church] that felt like fitting fastened wheels into an iron rail. [...] Critical thinking skills were not necessary to keep moving on this sort of track. Neither was compassion or questioning. Questioning, in fact, was something that could get you in trouble. It was wrong and an affront. Good kids, faithful kids, patriotic kids, kids who were going somewhere didn't ask questions.
This was a rail that helped me fit in at all sorts of ballet companies, as it turned out. It helped me fit in in Russia. (loc. 250)
That's fascinating to me, and it makes a ton of sense, but gosh I would have liked it explored further—I was hoping to come to a point in the book where she started realizing how the one experience fed into the other, but instead she remains largely uncritical of that aspect of ballet in Russia. (Not about everything: She and her husband were out of the country when Russia invaded Ukraine, and she writes that they intentionally have not been back since.) In general I think I could have used some more connections between...experience and emotion, I guess, and perhaps some more interrogation of her own reactions to various events (e.g., much of what happened in Boston).
Not a standout as far as writing goes, but I'm glad Womack worked with a ghostwriter (or cowriter) on this—I genuinely appreciate it when memoir writers know that it will be helpful to work with a trained writer. This will probably be most interesting to ballet enthusiasts, but there's plenty of complication for more general memoir readers.
*Quotes are from an ARC and may not be final.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
March 25, 2025
Joy Womack has certainly lived a fascinating life and has had quite the career. This memoir/autobiography follows her story as the first American woman to sign a contract with the Bolshoi Ballet Theater. It was very interesting to learn about all that she faced in achieving this, as well as her downfall from this role after she spoke out publicly against the school’s officials.
It’s apparent that throughout Joy’s life she has demonstrated immense grit, tenacity, and dedication to her craft - even when at the detriment of herself. In the book she talks about dancing on numerous injuries, without adequate time to heal, and a harrowing eating disorder. Her story paints a picture of the darkness that can lay behind the “velvet curtain” vs what the audience sees in a beautiful ballet performance.
The book feels like a series of vignettes without as much connective tissue as I would have liked. There were many things I wish she would have gone more deeply into - her childhood and teenage years, how she fell in love with ballet, why she coveted the position at the Bolshoi, and her friendships & relationships in her adult life.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rowman & Littlefield for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
It’s apparent that throughout Joy’s life she has demonstrated immense grit, tenacity, and dedication to her craft - even when at the detriment of herself. In the book she talks about dancing on numerous injuries, without adequate time to heal, and a harrowing eating disorder. Her story paints a picture of the darkness that can lay behind the “velvet curtain” vs what the audience sees in a beautiful ballet performance.
The book feels like a series of vignettes without as much connective tissue as I would have liked. There were many things I wish she would have gone more deeply into - her childhood and teenage years, how she fell in love with ballet, why she coveted the position at the Bolshoi, and her friendships & relationships in her adult life.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rowman & Littlefield for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 23, 2025
Few, if any, memoirs have I savored like this one. While part of me couldn't put the book down and eagerly awaited the next chapter, the other part delighted in the sheer beauty of the narrative writing. The writing so perfectly mirrors the art of ballet- graceful, elegant, beautiful-- all covering a gritty, tough, punishable interior, which is the storyline. As a follower of Jesus and a former ballet dancer, I deeply appreciated the way Joy wove in her experiences with faith, Jesus, and the institution of the church. Sadly, the demands of legalistic perfection often invade theology and thwart the actual good truth of Jesus- He was perfect on our behalf, we can never be perfect.
I have read other reviews that share a desire for Joy to expound on lessons learned or have more of a wrap-up on her faith journey. I understand these desires, but feel they are missing the scope of the book. This book is about Joy's journey to and in Russia. By the final chapters of the book, it is 2022 and she is essentially forced to leave the place that has been most home to her. There is no way this story could have had a nice conclusion so close to this abrupt and forced ending. We are left wondering what is next for Joy and Andrew, which is how I imagine they felt leaving Russia.
Whether versed in the world of Ballet or not, this book is a testament to the power of sheer human will and discipline. It begs the question, "how much sacrifice is too much sacrifice?" and makes us challenge our own perceptions of home, belonging, love, and determination. This is a book I highly recommend and will definitely be re-reading.
I have read other reviews that share a desire for Joy to expound on lessons learned or have more of a wrap-up on her faith journey. I understand these desires, but feel they are missing the scope of the book. This book is about Joy's journey to and in Russia. By the final chapters of the book, it is 2022 and she is essentially forced to leave the place that has been most home to her. There is no way this story could have had a nice conclusion so close to this abrupt and forced ending. We are left wondering what is next for Joy and Andrew, which is how I imagine they felt leaving Russia.
Whether versed in the world of Ballet or not, this book is a testament to the power of sheer human will and discipline. It begs the question, "how much sacrifice is too much sacrifice?" and makes us challenge our own perceptions of home, belonging, love, and determination. This is a book I highly recommend and will definitely be re-reading.
February 8, 2025
This book gave me a fascinating window into a world I knew little about - elite Russian ballet.
I found the juxtaposition of a young American in this context fascinating and heartbreaking. How much are we prepared to give up? What are we willing to sacrifice and when does it become self-destructive? Can we truly grasp the cost until well into adulthood? Will we feel satisfied or will we wished hadn't given so much and gotten so little return? These are lingering questions to ponder well after the last page.
Beyond that, I loved the exploration of the universality of art as perhaps one of the few ways we can bridge the mystery of another culture so vastly different from our own.
I found the juxtaposition of a young American in this context fascinating and heartbreaking. How much are we prepared to give up? What are we willing to sacrifice and when does it become self-destructive? Can we truly grasp the cost until well into adulthood? Will we feel satisfied or will we wished hadn't given so much and gotten so little return? These are lingering questions to ponder well after the last page.
Beyond that, I loved the exploration of the universality of art as perhaps one of the few ways we can bridge the mystery of another culture so vastly different from our own.
March 26, 2025
I am not someone who gravitates towards non-fiction, though have taken the time to read a biography now and again, but I have to say this didn’t feel like either. As I read this I was carried away into what felt like a fantasy, a young girl with no life experience taking the leap to move to Russia and dance ballet not knowing the language or having anyone she knows to lean on? It seems almost unreal.
I couldn’t put it down.
The way the author describes the backdrop to the world she’s living in, dives into her headspace and emotion, and captures the horrors this young girl faces all while keeping a brave face, was intriguing, and kept me turning page after page. I am absolutely astounded at the grit of Joy Womack. She is an incredible testament to sticking to your goals, unfortunately for her, that many times seemed to come at a cost.
This book was intense but absolutely wonderful to read and I can see myself picking it up again for a second read through. Well done to the writer, for a debut novel it, for me, was a knock out of the park.
I couldn’t put it down.
The way the author describes the backdrop to the world she’s living in, dives into her headspace and emotion, and captures the horrors this young girl faces all while keeping a brave face, was intriguing, and kept me turning page after page. I am absolutely astounded at the grit of Joy Womack. She is an incredible testament to sticking to your goals, unfortunately for her, that many times seemed to come at a cost.
This book was intense but absolutely wonderful to read and I can see myself picking it up again for a second read through. Well done to the writer, for a debut novel it, for me, was a knock out of the park.
March 21, 2025
I've read several ballerina memoirs, but never from someone trained at the Bolshoi Academy in Russia. The story is almost too good to be true. A young girl breaking away from her family and home country, the USA, moving alone to Russia to follow her dream is nothing short of remarkable. It was very interesting to read about Joy's background, and it provided several answers as to why she could endure such a pressured role as a student in a highly competitive environment among hundreds of other talented ballet dancers. It was fascinating to see the backdrop of the Bolshoi Academy, learn more about the teaching, the environment, and the pressures the young dancers face from everyone they encounter; teachers, critics, colleagues, fellow students, family, the press, and so on. This is truly a story of endurance, not always a happy one, but really fascinating, engaging, and at times provocative reading. I believe this book can be read by many, regardless of whether you are familiar with ballet or not.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
April 19, 2025
Beautifully written memoir. A story of incredible resilience, perseverance, faith, and love. I am honored to be very tiny part of this story as our paths crossed in Moscow, seeing her at church and Bible studies and also attending her performance at the Bolshoi. Very eye opening to learn more about Joy’s story and everything she endured.
It was also wonderfully nostalgic and brought me right back to Moscow. Loved it.
It was also wonderfully nostalgic and brought me right back to Moscow. Loved it.
June 15, 2025
I’m not a huge fan of memoirs, but this kept me engaged through the entire book. Her lens on the ballet world and Russian politics is unique and unfiltered…and through the eyes of a naive young girl from Texas.
May 10, 2025
Fantastic, couldn't put it down.
May 1, 2025
I came to know about Joy Womack during her time as a prolific YouTuber. Joy is an American ballerina who completed the latter years of her ballet training in Moscow, and remained based in Russia as a sometimes controversial dancer for many years.
She still posts videos on Youtube from time to time but 8 or 9 years ago was one of the few professional ballerinas I was aware of who vlogged her experiences quite extensively, often showing studio footage (mainly when at the Kremlin company). By virtue of that background she has an interesting story telling of her struggles to acclimatise to a country, culture and language very different to her home background; she also talked about (and survived!) allegations of corruption at the Bolshoi as well as her experiences of eating disorders (the latter was seldom mentioned in her vlogs). In the book we learn far more about the latter as well as her semi 'arranged' marriage to a Russian dancer in order to remain living there (and her eventual citizenship via a direct plea to Putin) as well as her subsequent (American) marriage and the post-Ukraine denouement. The book is well written and very engaging. I was struck by Joy's real and abiding love of Russia, despite all the hardships she endured there, and her nuanced view of the country's passion for the arts and ballet in particular. There are a lot of thought provoking comments about suffering, aspiration, perfection, creativity and 'high' culture and what the latter contributes to personal and national character. In view of our current re-assessments of American/Russian world influence, these are topical considerations, so it is a book about more than ballet.
She still posts videos on Youtube from time to time but 8 or 9 years ago was one of the few professional ballerinas I was aware of who vlogged her experiences quite extensively, often showing studio footage (mainly when at the Kremlin company). By virtue of that background she has an interesting story telling of her struggles to acclimatise to a country, culture and language very different to her home background; she also talked about (and survived!) allegations of corruption at the Bolshoi as well as her experiences of eating disorders (the latter was seldom mentioned in her vlogs). In the book we learn far more about the latter as well as her semi 'arranged' marriage to a Russian dancer in order to remain living there (and her eventual citizenship via a direct plea to Putin) as well as her subsequent (American) marriage and the post-Ukraine denouement. The book is well written and very engaging. I was struck by Joy's real and abiding love of Russia, despite all the hardships she endured there, and her nuanced view of the country's passion for the arts and ballet in particular. There are a lot of thought provoking comments about suffering, aspiration, perfection, creativity and 'high' culture and what the latter contributes to personal and national character. In view of our current re-assessments of American/Russian world influence, these are topical considerations, so it is a book about more than ballet.
June 21, 2025
I love books about ballet. Fiction or non-fiction. Behind the scenes books that give all the dirt, yes, please!
This is a stunning and unbelievable tale for so many reasons. The sheer ambition and determination of the author carried her through some extreme challenges. Even after reading I am still amazed by how the author felt so strongly that Russia was the only place to pursue a ballet career. Having grown up in the world of ballet and been obsessed by it, I understand the history and value of Russia to the ballet world. She does explain her rationale for choosing this path. Still a little mind boggling to me. As an American, I of course think we have amazing companies including those in New York.
I am mostly flabbergasted at how her parents just let her go. Of course, they didn't seem like the most stellar parents. I do wish she had explored here religion a bit more and how it impacted her life decisions. There is some content about this. She grew up in a more extreme christian church that impacted her early life.
Once Womack gets to Russia she is in for an eye-opening experience. She is immersed in a school and living experience that she is unprepared for. Dorm life including open showers and regular school classes taught in Russian are just a few things. I was a little surprised at the lack of preparation for this setting. She didn't take language classes before moving, had no idea she needed shower shoes, etc. But, she was also 15 and had parents that were not very helpful.
I've read other ballet books set in Russia. the training programs are very stark and bleak. Womack's experience fit right in with those other stories.
I loved the behind the scenes look at life training to be a ballerina. the details about daily training, performances and description of the raked stage were everything this ballet reader could want. I always want all the details. Too often, the ballet is missing from ballet novels. Womack was committed to her art. Some of this was horrifying. The ballet school did not have any safeguards in place or any programs to help the students deal with the emotional pressures of the training. womack struggles with anxiety and develops an eating disorder. There are many descriptions of her disordered eating and it's impact on her health. In addition, she is expected to perform through injuries. The Russian system is truly ruthless.
Womack embraces the Russian culture and politics until Ukraine. at that point, she sees what is broken in her new country.
This was an informative and interesting read.
This is a stunning and unbelievable tale for so many reasons. The sheer ambition and determination of the author carried her through some extreme challenges. Even after reading I am still amazed by how the author felt so strongly that Russia was the only place to pursue a ballet career. Having grown up in the world of ballet and been obsessed by it, I understand the history and value of Russia to the ballet world. She does explain her rationale for choosing this path. Still a little mind boggling to me. As an American, I of course think we have amazing companies including those in New York.
I am mostly flabbergasted at how her parents just let her go. Of course, they didn't seem like the most stellar parents. I do wish she had explored here religion a bit more and how it impacted her life decisions. There is some content about this. She grew up in a more extreme christian church that impacted her early life.
Once Womack gets to Russia she is in for an eye-opening experience. She is immersed in a school and living experience that she is unprepared for. Dorm life including open showers and regular school classes taught in Russian are just a few things. I was a little surprised at the lack of preparation for this setting. She didn't take language classes before moving, had no idea she needed shower shoes, etc. But, she was also 15 and had parents that were not very helpful.
I've read other ballet books set in Russia. the training programs are very stark and bleak. Womack's experience fit right in with those other stories.
I loved the behind the scenes look at life training to be a ballerina. the details about daily training, performances and description of the raked stage were everything this ballet reader could want. I always want all the details. Too often, the ballet is missing from ballet novels. Womack was committed to her art. Some of this was horrifying. The ballet school did not have any safeguards in place or any programs to help the students deal with the emotional pressures of the training. womack struggles with anxiety and develops an eating disorder. There are many descriptions of her disordered eating and it's impact on her health. In addition, she is expected to perform through injuries. The Russian system is truly ruthless.
Womack embraces the Russian culture and politics until Ukraine. at that point, she sees what is broken in her new country.
This was an informative and interesting read.
November 29, 2024
Although this is a ghostwritten autobiography, the writing is more than adequate to engage the reader in the subject, Joy Womack, and her story.
Born and raised in California and Texas, she began ballet at a young age and always dreamed of dancing at the Bolshoi Ballet. As a teen, she left the US for Russia and immersed herself in the Russian lifestyle, Moscow, and eventually the Bolshoi where her childhood dream came true.
As she became familiar with the Russian ballet world and the Bolshoi, she began to sense dishonesty and corruption. Around that time Sergei Filin, the Bolshoi director, was attacked with acid, disfiguring him. These changes provoked Womack to speak publicly about her experiences at the Bolshoi. She was fired.
She began dancing at the Kremlin for politicians including Putin. There were severe rules. She traveled Russia performing and felt at home.
The book is a tribute to her determination to succeed, in theatre as well as life (2 marriages and a deadly eating disorder to deal with concurrently with rigorous dance).
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
Born and raised in California and Texas, she began ballet at a young age and always dreamed of dancing at the Bolshoi Ballet. As a teen, she left the US for Russia and immersed herself in the Russian lifestyle, Moscow, and eventually the Bolshoi where her childhood dream came true.
As she became familiar with the Russian ballet world and the Bolshoi, she began to sense dishonesty and corruption. Around that time Sergei Filin, the Bolshoi director, was attacked with acid, disfiguring him. These changes provoked Womack to speak publicly about her experiences at the Bolshoi. She was fired.
She began dancing at the Kremlin for politicians including Putin. There were severe rules. She traveled Russia performing and felt at home.
The book is a tribute to her determination to succeed, in theatre as well as life (2 marriages and a deadly eating disorder to deal with concurrently with rigorous dance).
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
December 14, 2024
This is a fascinating story. I know Joy Womack is many balletomanes' ultimate BEC, but this book goes a long way toward explaining why she is the way she is (in those ways that irritate so many people). Me-first attitude? Explained by the absolutely cutthroat Russian ballet education system she was thrown into, a minnow among sharks. Her rabid self-promotion? More of the same, plus her legitimate need to support herself when her family could not help financially and her ballet "salary" sometimes amounted to no more than $50 per month. That iron grip she seems to have on her public image as a prima ballerina? An absolutely necessary survival mechanism. Vaguely European accent? Explained by the fact that she's spent more than half her life living outside the US.
Most importantly, this book makes an intelligent, well thought-out case for why her family's hardcore Evangelical Christianity taught her to accept suffering and unquestioning obedience starting from her earliest years. The family left that church, but the lessons remained ingrained in her: she did not speak up about childhood sexual abuse until decades later; she bent herself, literally and figuratively, to serve her teachers' and ballet masters' needs; she quashed extraordinary levels of physical pain in service of her art; she endured and still battles with an eating disorder that both serves her artistry and destroys her, body and soul.
And in the end, what I take away from this book is her need to dance. It is a physical need, it is a mental need, it is a spiritual need. For someone like me on the outside, who has no such need, it looks a lot like an addiction no gentler than heroin. To her, it's the expression of everything she is. I admire that dedication, and I'm glad I got to read this book.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Most importantly, this book makes an intelligent, well thought-out case for why her family's hardcore Evangelical Christianity taught her to accept suffering and unquestioning obedience starting from her earliest years. The family left that church, but the lessons remained ingrained in her: she did not speak up about childhood sexual abuse until decades later; she bent herself, literally and figuratively, to serve her teachers' and ballet masters' needs; she quashed extraordinary levels of physical pain in service of her art; she endured and still battles with an eating disorder that both serves her artistry and destroys her, body and soul.
And in the end, what I take away from this book is her need to dance. It is a physical need, it is a mental need, it is a spiritual need. For someone like me on the outside, who has no such need, it looks a lot like an addiction no gentler than heroin. To her, it's the expression of everything she is. I admire that dedication, and I'm glad I got to read this book.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2025
This book was a disappointment to me. I read many memoirs by dancers and have loved pretty much every single one if I recall correctly but this one didn't do it for me. I kind of knew from the beginning when she started out with the Christian fundamentalist crap. That turned me off immediately. While it was brave of her to move at age 15 to Moscow to dance, she whined whether her teachers loved or hated her. Those words, like a 6 year old. And then she continually got the name of a ballet she performed in wrong. It's La Fille MAL gardée - the poorly guarded girl in English. It's not MA gardee, which makes no sense at all. If you're going to use French words and titles at least use the accents.
But when she moved to Boston and started trashing my former home, I gave up.
But when she moved to Boston and started trashing my former home, I gave up.
May 21, 2025
Joy Womack's autobiography, "Behind the Red Velvet Curtain: An American Ballerina in Russia," reveals the harsh realities of classical ballet. Womack's journey from the Kirov Academy in Washington DC to the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow is filled with physical and mental injuries, including self-harm and eating disorders. Her story highlights the disturbing culture within Russian ballet and the sacrifices made for the art form. Her relationships with her mother and her faith are especially fraught and are the most thought-provoking aspects of her story. Despite the struggles, Womack's determination and resilience shine through.
Read my full review here: https://www.bankswesterncanyon.com/po...
Read my full review here: https://www.bankswesterncanyon.com/po...
June 10, 2025
I have no particular interest in dance but I found the book so engaging. It allowed me to explore ideas about why someone would sacrifice so much for their passion - leaving their family and country and inflicting so much stress on their body. I thought the points she made about the difference between Russia and the U.S. and their views of art and the way it’s funded was really interesting. The book is the story of one woman, but it felt like much more than that. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in thinking about different culture and about what drives people to extreme achievements.
April 17, 2025
wonderfully written memoir that will pull you in from page one. how does an evangelical christian kid end up a Russian prima ballerina? going through hell and back. it's a really interesting read of a young teenager coming of age through a rigid driven world of Russian ballet, it's reminded me of reading Educated...you can't relate to the events at all but you can relate to the human within the event completely.
February 17, 2025
If this book was fiction, I would have dismissed it as too unbelievable. Knowing that it’s Joy Womack’s own life story makes Behind the Red Velvet Curtain even more fascinating. Joy left her whole life behind to move to Moscow to become a ballerina at the Bolshoi. She was fifteen and didn’t speak the language. What she had was a determination that drove her all her life. Becoming a ballerina is probably one of the most common dreams of little girls everywhere, but Joy actually did it. The part I always like the most about books about ballet is the peek behind the curtain. You see the Sugarplum Fairy on stage and it seems like she’s made of feathers, floating on air. Knowing how her feet are probably bleeding makes the seemingly effortless feat even more remarkable. I’ve read other books about the ballet, but this is my first peek behind the Bolshoi and it is amazing. The hard work, the politics, the daily life of these dancers… Joy’s account of her first shower there will haunt me forever. She also discusses the changes that Russia has seen in the decade she lived there. But the best part is the dancing. The ballets, the music and her own experience as a ballerina. The writing, by Elizabeth Shockman, is excellent and easy to read. Sometimes Joy sounds a little arrogant in her goals but, considering she made them come true, I guess it’s not bragging if it’s true. I saw some of the performances described here online and it is mind-blowing that she could dance like that on a broken ankle! Very interesting.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Rowman & Littlefield.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Rowman & Littlefield.
February 14, 2025
Joy Womack is an American ballerina who has a history of firsts. She was the first American to graduate from the famed Bolshoi Academy in Moscow with a red diploma, and was the first American to earn a contract with the Bolshoi Ballet. Her book, "Behind the red velvet Curtain" provides readers with a unique insight into what it takes to be a ballerina in a country where ballet is intertwined with the fabric of its national culture. If you're a fan of dance memoirs, this book is for you.
I've been following Joy's career since she first began posting on social media more than ten years ago. Being able to fill in the gaps with what I already knew about her story really made it sink in just how much Joy had to grow and learn on the fly during her late teenaged years in Russia. I have so much respect for her and her dedication to her art.
Although the book focuses primarily on her years with the Bolshoi and Kremlin ballets, there is also a bit shared about her time in Boston and as a freelancer. I wish she'd spoken a little more about her time in Korea too, but there is already a wealth of so much other material in the book that I know that cuts had to be made somewhere.
Elizabeth Shockman has done a masterful job at telling Joy's story. Her writing style is easy to follow and engages the reader from the first page of the book.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars, but round up to 5.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Rowman and Littlefield for allowing me to enjoy an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I've been following Joy's career since she first began posting on social media more than ten years ago. Being able to fill in the gaps with what I already knew about her story really made it sink in just how much Joy had to grow and learn on the fly during her late teenaged years in Russia. I have so much respect for her and her dedication to her art.
Although the book focuses primarily on her years with the Bolshoi and Kremlin ballets, there is also a bit shared about her time in Boston and as a freelancer. I wish she'd spoken a little more about her time in Korea too, but there is already a wealth of so much other material in the book that I know that cuts had to be made somewhere.
Elizabeth Shockman has done a masterful job at telling Joy's story. Her writing style is easy to follow and engages the reader from the first page of the book.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars, but round up to 5.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Rowman and Littlefield for allowing me to enjoy an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
April 22, 2025
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.
Like Joy Womack, I love ballet. I’ve always been fascinated by Russia. Getting to tag along in the pages of her biography as she learned to dance at the Bolshoi and later at the Kremlin ballet has been very inspiring. Like a lot of talented people, especially when young, Joy coped with the pressures of her world by developing an eating disorder, even as her instructors and fellow dancers tried to help her. Sometimes the decisions she made were confusing to me. Behind the Red Velvet Curtain will appeal to readers interested in art, ballet, and true life adventures.
Like Joy Womack, I love ballet. I’ve always been fascinated by Russia. Getting to tag along in the pages of her biography as she learned to dance at the Bolshoi and later at the Kremlin ballet has been very inspiring. Like a lot of talented people, especially when young, Joy coped with the pressures of her world by developing an eating disorder, even as her instructors and fellow dancers tried to help her. Sometimes the decisions she made were confusing to me. Behind the Red Velvet Curtain will appeal to readers interested in art, ballet, and true life adventures.
January 31, 2026
Great book, but I don’t think it was as advertised. Joy did explain her life as a ballerina in Russia and everything she didn’t to get there, but did not advertise her eating disorder or the war in the Ukraine. I think think this is a great book. I do wish she would have expanded a bit on how Russia had changed once it had attacked the Ukraine. I did appreciate her ability to describe the difficulty recovering from her eating disorder. However, I think these should have been told from the beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions written are completely honest and my own.
An fascinating glimpse into not only an American living in Russia, but into the mind of this ballerina. The lengths dancers go through for their art always astounds me. Wonderfully written.
An fascinating glimpse into not only an American living in Russia, but into the mind of this ballerina. The lengths dancers go through for their art always astounds me. Wonderfully written.
August 24, 2025
The writer takes us on her journey to strive for perfection in the art of ballet. It must have taken incredible courage to immerse herself in Russia’s Bolshoi Academy and assimilate into this new culture. She describes many internal and external challenges and takes us inside a world that is often mysterious to outsiders.
September 2, 2025
This was a really fascinating read. We hear about the extraordinary things that Joy Womack accomplishes, but we don’t really delve into her “why.” I think it’s a missed opportunity to really get inside of her head.
June 16, 2025
Fascinating auto biography for those who love ballet
January 1, 2026
fascinating and honest
Unique view into a world that is typically unseen. So much to unpack and understand through Joy’s telling of her story.
Unique view into a world that is typically unseen. So much to unpack and understand through Joy’s telling of her story.
February 3, 2025
Thanks, @netgalley, for the ARC.
This book tells the story of the first American Ballerina to work/dance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
It tells of her childhood and how she left her home in Texas aged 14 to go and pursue her lifelong ambition to be a Russian trained Prima Ballerina at the world renowned Bolshoi Theatre, but it was filled with cutthroat competition and not all she thought it would be.
From a marriage of convenience to be able to continue to dance in Russia, dancing with broken bones, to an eating disorder, to becoming a Russian citizen, and then living in Paris after the Russian invasion on Ukraine.
Eventually, she became Prima Ballerina at the Kremlin Palace Theatre and danced (diplomatically)for dictators & world leaders alike. She travelled to the length and breadth of Russia to dance, which was no mean feat after the luxury of the Bolshoi's sprung stage!
There are some great names in the ballet world mentioned who helped her to become the Ballerina that she is and who shaped her.
It is definitely worth a read, I really enjoyed it. I love the (murky) intrigue of ballet and Russia.
This book tells the story of the first American Ballerina to work/dance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.
It tells of her childhood and how she left her home in Texas aged 14 to go and pursue her lifelong ambition to be a Russian trained Prima Ballerina at the world renowned Bolshoi Theatre, but it was filled with cutthroat competition and not all she thought it would be.
From a marriage of convenience to be able to continue to dance in Russia, dancing with broken bones, to an eating disorder, to becoming a Russian citizen, and then living in Paris after the Russian invasion on Ukraine.
Eventually, she became Prima Ballerina at the Kremlin Palace Theatre and danced (diplomatically)for dictators & world leaders alike. She travelled to the length and breadth of Russia to dance, which was no mean feat after the luxury of the Bolshoi's sprung stage!
There are some great names in the ballet world mentioned who helped her to become the Ballerina that she is and who shaped her.
It is definitely worth a read, I really enjoyed it. I love the (murky) intrigue of ballet and Russia.
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