Lara Spencer apologizes for 'stupid' and 'insensitive' comment about Prince George taking ballet: 'I screwed up'
Lara Spencer is sorry for making fun of Prince George for taking ballet class.
The Good Morning America co-anchor, 50, issued an apology on the show Monday, saying, “I screwed up. I did. The comment I made about dance was insensitive, it was stupid and I am deeply sorry.”
She went on to say that she “spoke with several members of the dance community over the last few days. I have listened. I have learned about the bravery that it takes for a young boy to pursue a career in dance. And last night, I sat down with three influential dancers who lived it firsthand.”
That was followed by an interview with Spencer and acclaimed ballet dancers Robbie Fairchild, Travis Wall and Fabrice Calmels.
At the end of the interview, Spencer said her “lesson is that words hurt.” And while it was not her intention, “it was insensitive” and she thanked them for letting her apologize “personally” and for educating her on the bullying that young male dancers face. “Again, I’m really sorry,” she concluded.
As the segment ended, Spencer told her co-hosts, “So grateful for a very positive conversation and the opportunity to turn a negative into a teachable moment.”
While all this went down a group of male dancers protested outside by putting on a performance to stand up against bullying.
Last Thursday, Spencer was reporting on the 6-year-old prince’s curriculum as he starts Year 2 at Thomas’s Battersea, saying “The future King of England will be putting down the Play-Doh to take on religious studies, computer programming, poetry and ballet, among other things.” Then, while laughing, she added, “Prince William says Prince George absolutely loves ballet. I have news for you, Prince William: We’ll see how long that lasts. I mean, he might! He might end up … Between the religious studies and the computer programming, I just want to go back to the Play-Doh!”
She received widespread criticism, from everyone from Fairchild, Wall and Calmels to Gene Kelly’s widow and choreographer Debbie Allen.
Dear @LaraSpencer... #boysdancetoo #menwhodance #princegeorge pic.twitter.com/jpuOMYlfUL
— Debbie Allen (@msdebbieallen) August 23, 2019
Spencer — a mom of two teens, a son and daughter — took to social media the day after to apologize as well. “From ballet to anything one wants to explore in life, I say GO FOR IT,” she said. “I fully believe we should all be free to pursue our passions.”
In 2018, it was announced Spencer would be logging less time on the morning show, appearing three days a week.
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