Interview with Joy Womack

After the red carpet rounds of the Amazon Prime hit series, Étoile, and performing Firebird with Xander Parish in Italy, we had the delight of interviewing Joy Womack to discover more about her upcoming appearance at Hatch House.

Joy Womack is an internationally acclaimed American ballerina based in Paris. She made history as the first American woman to join the Bolshoi Ballet as a full company member after graduating from the Bolshoi Ballet Academy.

At age 19, she became a principal dancer with the Kremlin Ballet, launching an international career that has taken her to major stages across Europe, Asia, South America, and the United States.

A prizewinner at prestigious competitions including the Varna International Ballet Competition, the Moscow International Ballet Competition, and the Korea International Ballet Competition, Joy has performed leading roles in both classical and contemporary repertoire.

Photo credit: Jon Taylor

As well as appearing as a featured dancer on the Amazon Prime series Étoile, Joy’s life has been the subject of two films: Joy Womack: The White Swan (a documentary) and Joika (a Hollywood adaptation of her story). In 2025, Joy released her memoir Behind the Red Curtain, co-written with journalist Elizabeth Shockman, offering a rare and honest look inside the world of elite ballet.

Joy is the founder of the Joy Womack Ballet Foundation (JWBF), a non-profit organisation committed to supporting emerging dancers through scholarships, outreach, and cultural exchange. JWBF also produces The Joy of Dance, a gala concert series with live music that brings world-class ballet to new audiences while raising funds for artistic and humanitarian causes.

Can you please tell us what you are currently rehearsing or performing?

I was thrilled to recently perform in Xander Parish’s Ballet Russes production in Florence as part of the New Generation Festival. It was a joy to dance works such as Chopiniana, Firebird, and the Tarantella from Raymonda. I’m now eagerly preparing for Ballet Under the Stars at Hatch House, as well as an international festival in the Philippines, where I hope to perform Roland Petit’s Carmen Pas de Deux and the second act of Swan Lake as the White Swan.

How was it stepping onto the Étoile stage? What was your favourite moment during filming?

Bringing ballet to the screen was both a wonderful challenge and a rewarding experience. One of my favourite moments was filming the gala scene at the Théâtre de la Chalet in Paris. I also loved working with Amy and Dan on a scene where I got to deliver a line in Russian. It was great fun to explore character work on camera.

Photo credit: Bjorn Bonig

What motivated you to join the Covent Garden Dance Company for Ballet Under The Stars, this July?

I was incredibly touched by the invitation. I’ve long admired the dancers who have performed at Hatch House in years past, and it feels like a dream come true to share the stage with Xander Parish. I have not had the privilege of performing in the UK often, and dancing for British audiences holds a special place in my heart.

What are you most looking forward to about performing at Hatch House?

I’m especially excited to perform for new audiences in such a unique setting. There’s something wonderful about dancing in a setting that feels rich in history. Being part of a performance series that is building a meaningful legacy is an honour. I look forward to meeting people who truly love and support ballet.

Photo credit: Masha Kulch

What will you be performing, and with whom?

I’ll be dancing the Rose Adagio from Sleeping Beauty and Firebird; both alongside Xander Parish.

Why did you choose these pieces?

Xander has a wonderful artistic eye, and I was excited to take on the repertoire he proposed. Firebird is rarely performed in the West, and I think it’s important to keep these historic works alive. Given that both Xander and I spent significant time performing in Russia, it feels especially meaningful to bring a piece like Firebird to new audiences.

When you’re dancing these works, how do they make you feel—and what do you hope the audience feels?

Firebird is a new role for me, so I’ve been immersed in the process of researching the character and shaping my own interpretation. The Rose Adagio is always a technical challenge, but the music fills me with a sense of joy and celebration. I hope the audience feels the richness of these pieces; the tradition, the emotion, and the storytelling behind the steps.

You’ll be performing alongside wonderful artists from all over the world—who are you most looking forward to watching?

It’s such a privilege to be surrounded by so many inspiring dancers. I remember seeing Sarah Lamb perform years ago at the Kremlin Ballet International Festival—her work ethic and artistry left a lasting impression, and I’m excited to see her again. I’ve also admired Lauren Cuthbertson for years, so to watch her live is a dream. I hear I’ll be dancing Rose Adagio with William Bracewell as one of my cavaliers, and I’m really looking forward to working together.

Many children will attend the rehearsal on 24 July—how important are opportunities like this for the next generation of dancers?

Seeing live dance as a child is essential. It develops artistic sensitivity and shows young people what’s possible. Sadly, fewer children today have the chance to attend live performances, so initiatives like this are incredibly important. Giving children access to professional dance helps communicate the value of the arts and may even spark the dreams of the next generation of performers.

What is your favourite role to dance?

So far, I would say Romeo and Juliet and Giselle have been my favourites. A dream role for the future would be Raymonda or Manon.

Can you tell us three things people may not know about you?

I come from a family of nine children.

I have a toy poodle named Rachmaninov—named after my favourite composer.

And I absolutely love to host dinner parties and cook for friends and family.