Two male New York City Ballet principal dancers have been fired after they were accused of sharing explicit photos of female ballerinas.
Dancers Zachary Catazaro, 29, and Amar Ramasar, 36, were fired on Saturday morning.
The two were cited in the bombshell lawsuit by 20-year-old student dancer Alexandra Waterbury, who accused them sharing nude photos with her ex-boyfriend Chase Finlay, who was also a principal dancer at the company until he recently resigned.
The two were suspended without pay on August 27 for 'inappropriate communications' before they were terminated on Saturday.
Principal male dancers Zachary Catazaro, 29, and Amar Ramasar, 36, were fired from the New York City Ballet on Saturday
They were suspended on August 27 then fired on Saturday following allegations in 20-year-old Alexandra Waterbury's lawsuit filed on September 4, that Catazaro, Ramasar, and her ex-boyfriend principal dancer Chase Finlay shared explicit photo and video of company dancers
Waterbury alleged that Finlay sent explicit photos and videos of her to Catazaro and Ramasar and other men at the company writing 'You have any pictures of girls you’ve f–ked? I’ll send you some [hot] ballerina girls I’ve made scream', according to the New York Post.
She says Ramasar reportedly sent back a picture of a ballet dancer’s breasts. Waterbury also accused Catazaro of exchanging explicit photos with Finlay, but didn't elaborate on the content.
The ballet company said Ramasar, Catazaro, and Finlay were 'engaged in inappropriate communications, that while personal, off-hours and off-site, had violated the norms of conduct that NYCB expects from its employee'.
However the dancers are hitting back against the allegations and in statements released Saturday say they're shocked by the firing.
'I am shocked and deeply saddened by the New York City Ballet’s decision to fire me,' Ramasar said Saturday in a statement. 'I am an honest and honorable person, and have always treated everyone, including my colleagues, staff, friends and others at NYCB, with the upmost respect.'
He added that he will be telling his side of the story in the days to come.
'My full story has yet to be revealed and as a result, people have concluded the worst about me. Unfortunately we live in a time where allegations are taken as fact, and actions are made rashly and harshly,' he said. 'I am a poor, minority kid from the streets of the Bronx and have risen against all odds with hard work for everything I have been able to achieve.'
Catazaro, who has worked at the company for 11 years, also released a statement on social media following the firing.
Ramasar responded to the firing with a heartfelt Instagram post saying: 'I am shocked and deeply saddened by the New York City Ballet’s decision to fire me'
Catazaro also released a statement on Instagram saying: 'I am deeply saddened by New York City Ballet's termination of my contract'
Waterbury, pictured above, alleged that Finlay sent explicit photos and videos of her to Catazaro and Ramasar and other men at the company, and the two sent explicit content in return
'I am deeply saddened by New York City Ballet's termination of my contract,' he said on Saturday. 'Firstly, I want to clarify that I did not initiate, was not involved in, or associated with any of Alexandra Waterbury's personal material that was allegedly shared with others.'
'Although I was initially suspended for other private and personal communications, the NYCB dancers' union--AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists)--maintains that these communications were during off-work hours, and do not justify termination,' he added.
He also claimed that he was not named as a defendant in Waterbury's lawsuit.
'I have worked my whole life to reach the level of Principal Dancer at a company having the highest prestige, and I am devastated at the possibility to no longer be able to share the stage with the wonderful, talented artists and my friends there,' he added in his statement. 'I respect and admire every ballerina with whom I dance at the company, and strive every day to be the best partner I possibly can be.'
In her September 4 lawsuit Waterbury sued the New York City Ballet and its principal dancer Chase Finlay, 28. Finlay was also her ex-boyfriend
She said he took video and photos of her without her notice and shared them with men at the ballet company
On Saturday the New York City Ballet said: 'We have no higher obligation than to ensure that our dancers and staff have a workplace where they feel respected and valued, and we are committed to providing that environment for all employees of New York City Ballet'
Waterbury, a dancer, model and Ivy League college student, filed her bombshell 40-page complaint in Manhattan Supreme Court on September 4, containing explosive allegations against the New York City Ballet and her former boyfriend Finlay.
She said he sent videos and photos taken of her without her knowledge to other men, including dancers at the Ballet.
She said that the company tolerated a 'fraternity-like atmosphere' where male dancers could 'degrade, demean, mistreat and abuse, assault and batter women without consequence.'
The lawsuit said a male donor wrote to Finlay suggesting that the men should tie ballerinas up 'and abuse them like farm animals,' to which Finlay replied, 'or like the sluts they are.'
The ballet company denied condoning such behavior and launched an investigation. They said they planned to fire Finlay, who resigned in August 2018 before disciplinary action could take place.
Ramasar said in a statement: 'I am an honest and honorable person, and have always treated everyone, including my colleagues, staff, friends and others at NYCB, with the upmost respect.' Ramasar pictured left following 2018 Carousel Broadway performance
Catazaro worked with the company for 11 years and released a statement on Saturday saying: 'Firstly, I want to clarify that I did not initiate, was not involved in, or associated with any of Alexandra Waterbury's personal material that was allegedly shared with others'
Following the lawsuit, Finlay's attorney said the allegations 'should not be taken as fact'.
In light of the firings City Ballet executive director Katherine Brown and interim artistic team leader Jonathan Stafford said in a statement.
'We have no higher obligation than to ensure that our dancers and staff have a workplace where they feel respected and valued, and we are committed to providing that environment for all employees of New York City Ballet,' the statement released Saturday said. 'We will not allow the private actions of a few to undermine the hard work and strength of character that is consistently demonstrated by the other members of our community or the excellence for which the company stands.'
The American Guild of Musical Artists union representing Ramasar and Catarazo said it will challenge the firings.
'Based on all the information received from the company, the allegations relate entirely to non-work-related activity and do not rise to the level of "just cause" termination,' the union said in a statement. 'As AGMA would do for any of its members, we will soon be filing for arbitration to enforce our members’ employment rights.'
The ballet lost three of its 14 male principal dancers and is opening its 2018-2019 season next week.
Linkhienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2018/09/16/two-male-new-york-city-ballet-principal-dancers-are-fired-over-explicit-photo-scandal/
Main photo article Two male New York City Ballet principal dancers have been fired after they were accused of sharing explicit photos of female ballerinas.
Dancers Zachary Catazaro, 29, and Amar Ramasar, 36, were fired on Saturday morning.
The two were cited in the bombshell lawsuit by 20-year-old student dancer ...
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Dianne Reeves Online news HienaLouca
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