logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
40m 33s

Ballet's Lethal Start-Up | Black Swan, I...

Wondery
About this episode

What happens when a former ballerina and a shady businessman try to revolutionize the world of dance? Welcome to the Fyre Fest of the ballet world. In this two-episode series, power couple Doug and Ashley Benefield use their money and influence to launch what appears to be a groundbreaking ballet company. One that champions diversity and inclusivity. The only problem is, none of that is true. Because as dancers put their careers on the line for this new company, it all begins to spin out of control — just as Doug and Ashley’s marriage falls apart.

Need more Scamfluencers? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.app.link/tgjpc8ryfSb now.


See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Today
ENCORE: Three Weddings and a Funeral: Part 1 | 174
We’ll be back in one week with all-new Scamfluencers episodes. In the meantime, we’re returning to one of our favorites. In the late 1970s, Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter leaves his small Bavarian village in pursuit of the American dream. He enrolls in high school in Connecticut a ... Show More
40m 4s
Aug 18
ENCORE: George Santos: Putting the "Con" in Congress | 173
We’ll be back in two weeks with all-new Scamfluencers episodes. In the meantime, we’re returning to one of our favorites. It’s hard to know what to believe about George Santos’ wild origin story. Since being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2022, almost every facet ... Show More
50m 1s
Aug 13
ENCORE: The Pop Star and the Power Broker: Part 2 | 172
As Erika Jayne’s pop star career blossoms, questions continue to mount about her husband Tom Girardi’s finances and his legal practice. His clients have been waiting in limbo to receive the settlement money owed to them, and they’re not the only ones getting angry with Tom. In th ... Show More
43m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2023
(331) PART 1: Brookie & Jessie: how we changed the music industry with our TikTok dances
Welcome back to Private Parts, the podcast where nothing is off limits. We're back with another Friday episode to kickstart your weekend. Today, Jamie is joined by dancers and friends, Brookie & Jessie! These are 2 girls who met at dance college, became friends and then one night ... Show More
22m 38s
Jul 2021
Dance Challenge TikTok Is on Strike
Black dance creators on TikTok are sick of white influencers stealing their work without credit. Now, they have collectively refused to choreograph dance challenges for the app’s latest trendy hit, Megan Thee Stallion’s new song, “Thot Shit.” On today’s episode, Rachelle and Madi ... Show More
30m 12s
Jun 2022
The Dancer and Her Shoe Maker
A dancer at the top of her career can't do her job without the skill and attention to detail of their shoemaker. Francesca Hayward is a principal dancer for the Royal Ballet and Bob Martin is her shoemaker. It’s a very personal choice for a dancer to settle on the perfect shoe - ... Show More
29m 7s
Dec 2018
Gwyneth x Misty Copeland: On Being the First
Ballet star and history-maker Misty Copeland sits down with GP to talk about what it’s like being the first African American woman to ever be promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://ww ... Show More
53m 18s
Apr 2024
DWTS Pros Daniella & Pasha on Their Unbeatable Partnership, Audition Process, & Becoming Parents!
Dancing with the Stars professional dancers Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov are on the pod (their first together!) to spill all the details on their journey from mastering the ballroom to mastering life together. We’ll dive into how Daniella's early ADHD diagnosis played a ro ... Show More
50m 36s
Apr 2021
Kelli Erdmann: TikTok Dance Queen
Kaitlyn sits down with TikTok dance queen Kelli Erdmann as well as her talented BTS video editor husband, Freeman, to give listeners all the inside scoop on how they make their incredibly mesmerizing videos. The first video Kelli shared with her handful of TikTok followers garner ... Show More
31m 44s
Sep 2021
Dangerous Moves | Thrive | 1
Cassie Phillips and Memphis White are two modern dancers on a mission. For Cassie, she’s only 25 years old and desperately wants to change the old and traditional ways of modern dance. For Memphis, he’s been out of the game for 10 years and jumps at the opportunity for a comeback ... Show More
44m 58s
Dec 2023
Heart to Heart: Finding Space for Love, Motherhood, and Dance with Professional Dancer Eran Bugge
Enjoy this video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! A professional dancer's career is not easy. A complete commitment of your time, body, and most importantly your heart is required. It is for this reason that many women end their careers early or wait until la ... Show More
40m 49s