This Teen Ballerina Shows Body Diversity Through Dance

Lizzy Howell, at only 15 years old, went viral on the internet after posting a video of her showing off her skills in ballet class.

turning monday¿ #ballet#turn#balletdancer#dancer#foutte

A video posted by Lizzy ?? (@lizzy.dances) on Nov 21, 2016 at 4:02pm PST

Lizzy told Buzzfeed she doesn’t want her new fans to call her “plus-size” because she feels as if it sets her apart from the dance community.

“If I can do everything that anyone else can, why should I be in a separate category?”

day five of nutcracker week (yesterday) // my favorite part of doing this every year is dancing for the schools. hearing the kids reactions to something we do everyday really makes me happy❤️

A photo posted by Lizzy ?? (@lizzy.dances) on Dec 3, 2016 at 5:01am PST

She explained how dancing helped her deal with anxiety and pseudotumor cerebri, a condition she suffers from. Her video helped her raise awareness, eventually leading to her becoming an ambassador for a dancers-with-disabilities awareness campaign.

Thankful to be a part of such an amazing group of dancers, supporting an amazing cause? #Repost @theofficial_dancingforyou with @repost app ・・・ Welcome Lizzy Howell to Our Team ? . . I have been dancing for 10 years now and I can tell you, the dance world is a rough place! Being an over weight dancer has come with it’s struggles. I have been told numerous times by teachers that I will get no where in the dance world if I do not lose this weight. Over the years, I have learned not to care what people think! If people want to tear you down, let them and show them that you can do it! This campaign means a lot to me as I have pseudo tumor cerebri, which is an excess of fluid around my brain. I have been in the hospital many times for this and I can tell you, it was rough missing dance. Not only do I suffer from pseudo tumor, but I have severe anxiety, which has caused me to go into depression. Dance has been a way to release this anxiety and make me happy. I will be going into my 8th production of the nutcracker, my 11th dance recital this year and, my 4th NYCDA convention. I haven’t given up and neither should you!

A photo posted by Lizzy ?? (@lizzy.dances) on Jan 16, 2017 at 1:42pm PST

Lizzy is a true role model, being shamelessly herself, doing what she loves and breaking the stereotype about dancers’ bodies, furthermore inspiring other teens to do the same.

demented ? coming to steal yo man #tadacostumeweek2k16

A video posted by Lizzy ?? (@lizzy.dances) on Oct 24, 2016 at 4:02pm PDT