Third Richmond Ballet Student Sues Company for $11.5 Million, Alleging Assault and an Abusive Culture By Natasha Dye

A former student at Richmond Ballet is suing the company for $11.5 million, alleging that the staff fostered a culture of abuse.

The civil complaint, filed in Richmond Circuit Court on Dec. 18, according to local news stations WWBT and WRIC, alleges that the staff’s behavior led to eating disorders and health issues. The identity of the plaintiff remains anonymous.

In the 85-page complaint, the former student, who began taking classes at just eight years old, described a “multi-year sexual, physical, and psychological abuse and exploitation,” per WRIC, and accused two staff members of having “sexually, physically, emotionally and psychologically abused Plaintiff and caused Plaintiff to suffer injuries from which she will never recover.”

According to WWBT, the complaint alleges that some of the students at Richmond Ballet were given “fat letters” instructing them to lose weight. Underweight students were allegedly given the most sought-after spots in the performances, per the outlet’s report.

One student was allegedly told she “looked good” after confiding in a staff member that she was suffering from bulimia, and students were required to participate in public weigh-ins, WWBT said the plaintiff alleged.

The complaint alleges a student was hit on the back of the head and pushed to the floor, according to WWBT.

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The anonymous plaintiff, who attended Richmond Ballet between 2007 and 2015, claimed she suffered from persistent lower back pain, anorexia and anxiety as a result of her experience at the school, and that she was exposed to increased risk of additional health issues.

The Virginia company is also being accused of failing to provide “reasonable care” for students, according to the outlet.

The plaintiff is the third person to accuse Richmond Ballet of abuse since 2022, per WRIC. The previous complaints also allege that staff contributed to students developing eating disorders and additional health issues.

The complaint also alleges that students at the ballet were physically struck by staff members, and a 2014 incident accuses a staff member of threatening a student who resisted his advances when he touched her on the thighs, according to the outlet.

In a statement from Richmond Ballet’s executive director, Kathleen Holman, issued a statement to WRIC on Jan. 5, saying the company “recently learned” of the lawsuit “concerning alleged incidents that occurred more than 10 years ago.”

Holman continued, “Our priority has always been to provide a safe and supportive environment for aspiring professional and recreational dancers alike, and we take this objective very seriously. The Ballet does not comment on pending litigation as a matter of policy. We will investigate thoroughly and respond to the claims through our legal counsel when appropriate.” 

“Over our half-century of training thousands of students, we have earned an excellent reputation and will zealously defend the School of Richmond Ballet, our faculty, and our staff,” the statement concluded.

PEOPLE has reached out to Richmond Ballet but has yet to hear back.