Sergei Polunin

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Sergei Polunin – Life, Career, and Key Moments

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Introduction

Sergei Vladimirovich Polunin (born November 20, 1989) is a Ukrainian-born ballet dancer, actor, and model, widely known for his extraordinary technical skill, expressive power, and controversial public persona.

Though born in Ukraine, Polunin holds multiple citizenships (Ukraine, Russia, Serbia) and over time has articulated a complex cultural identity, though he has said he “always regarded himself as Russian.”

He first rose to international prominence as the youngest male principal dancer ever appointed at the Royal Ballet in London (in 2010), before making the bold decision to leave the company and pursue a freelance career.

In 2016, the documentary Dancer chronicled his life, struggles, and triumphs, helping bring his name to wider public awareness.

Below is a deeper look into his life, career, controversies, and influence.

Early Life and Training

• Polunin was born in Kherson, in what was then the Ukrainian SSR.

• From an early age, he trained in gymnastics (ages ~4 to 8) before shifting to ballet training.

• His ballet education began at the Kyiv State Choreographic Institute (Kiev Ballet School).

• At age 13 (in 2003), he joined the Royal Ballet School in London, with support (for example) from the Rudolf Nureyev Foundation.

• Over the subsequent years, Polunin rose through ranks: in 2007 he became an Artist, in 2008 soloist, in 2009 first soloist, and in 2010 principal dancer at the Royal Ballet.

Professional Career & Breakthrough

• In 2010, at age 20, Polunin became the youngest male principal dancer in the history of the Royal Ballet.

• However, in January 2012, he resigned from the Royal Ballet with immediate effect, citing unhappiness: “the artist in me was dying.”

• After his departure, he pursued a freelance career and held principal positions in Russian ballet companies, such as Moscow’s Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre.

• Polunin gained further visibility through his collaboration with photographer/director David LaChapelle in a dance video set to Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” (2015), which went viral.

• The documentary Dancer (2016) by Steven Cantor examined his life, training, and the emotional tensions behind his career.

• He also founded Project Polunin (later Polunin Ink), aiming to develop new dance works for stage and film and collaborate across artistic disciplines.

Controversies & Public Persona

• Polunin's public statements and political stances have sparked significant controversy. For instance, in 2019, the Paris Opera Ballet withdrew an invitation to him over homophobic and sexist Instagram posts.

• In 2024, it was reported he planned to leave Russia, stating “my soul is not in its place.”

• His tattoos (notably multiple portraits of Putin) and outspoken support for Russian political positions have attracted international scrutiny.

Acting, Additional Projects & Recognition

• Polunin has appeared in feature films: Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and Red Sparrow (2018), among others.

• He continues to perform in ballet productions globally, often as a guest artist or under his own projects.

• He has received multiple awards including the Prix de Lausanne and Youth America Grand Prix (2006), and has been recognized in dance award circles.

Legacy & Influence

Sergei Polunin’s legacy is complicated and evolving. On one hand, his technical brilliance, emotionally raw performances, and willingness to defy classical norms have made him a charismatic, inspiring (though divisive) figure in dance. On the other hand, his outspoken political stances and controversies complicate how audiences and institutions receive his work.

His journey from classical ballet prodigy to global dance icon—and his transition into film, contemporary theatrical works, and cross-genre experimentation—make him a symbolic figure of 21st-century dance: ambitious, vulnerable, and contested.