Bolshoi ballet was 'giant brothel' claims former dancer

[cali]

The Bolshoi Ballet has been mired in further controversy after a former soloist claimed female dancers were forced to sleep with wealthy patrons.

Anastasia Volochkova accused the theatre's general director of turning the company "into a giant brothel".

Outspoken Volochkova, who has dabbled in TV talent and talk shows, was fired from the Bolshoi in 2003 for being too heavy.

General director Anatoly Iksanov dismissed the claims as "ravings".

Volochkova made the allegations during an interview on a television talk show in Russia on Sunday, later repeating them in a radio interview with Russian News Service.

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21856516

[MinneapolisMatt]

1. It's been that way

since the the Tsarist era...

[LittleBlue]

2. Didn't Putin have a gymnast girlfriend?

I read he just had his second child with her.

IIRC the powerful men of Russia have a tradition of keeping mistresses from ballet and gymnastics. Often, very young. From what I've read of Russia, as long as the oligarchs keep on the good side of Putin, they can do as they please with no fear of the law.

[Brickbat]

3. Ha, no shit.