Dancer Isabella Boylston on Challenging Ballet Stereotypes, Producing Content, and Attending to Her Ankles

      Welcome to En Pointe, a quarterly series that explores the convergence of beauty and dance through the perspectives of emerging multidisciplinary dance talents. Expect an intimate glimpse into the daily lives, aspirations, and essential beauty items found in the dance bags of the most talented young performers in the industry. Although it has been years since I laced up my pointe shoes and committed early mornings to rehearsals and late nights to extended classes, the dancer within me remains very much alive. I find myself easily slipping back into familiar ballet habits—stretching idly between video calls and using the classic Tombé Pas de Bourrée sequence to maneuver from one place to another. When I'm not scrolling through TikTok, I’m likely watching impressive ballerinas perform the roles I once aspired to fill as a young dancer, marking every movement with delicate wrist flicks while letting myself be swept away by the melodies of Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev. I consume ballet variations like others do their favorite podcasts, recognizing the familiar faces of dancers who frequently grace my For You page (and the world’s most renowned stages) year after year. Last month, I had the pleasure of meeting one such artist, Isabella Boylston, a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, as she entered another hectic performance season. Within moments of our call, we bypassed shy introductions and instead reminisced about shared rehearsal experiences and the key casting for this year’s Nutcracker. Before long, Boylston extended an invitation for me to attend one of the 14 upcoming ballet performances, all while sporting a warm smile.

      Fresh from rehearsal, Boylston dedicated the last 30 minutes of a long workday to share insights about her career, which began in ballet studios across the Midwest, leading to her significant move to New York City as a young dancer, and the 21 years she has spent performing with ABT. She elaborated on how she started chronicling her life as a professional ballerina on her social media platforms, which boast thousands of followers. Read on to catch a glimpse into the world of one of this generation’s most talented ballet dancers, discovering everything from Boylston's pointe shoe rituals to her essential beauty products.

      Meet Isabella Boylston: Principal Dancer at the American Ballet Theatre and Content Creator. When our virtual meeting commenced, I briefly spotted the name "Hildur" on the screen before Boylston appeared. She shared that Hildur is her birth name and Isabella, her middle name, is the stage name she prefers. "I don’t think many are aware of it, but it’s what I chose when I went professional," she noted. "They believed 'Isabella' would resonate better." During her early ballet training, she was Hildur from Sun Valley, Idaho—a resort town famed for its beautiful mountain trails and wildflower-filled meadows, and a vibrant center for arts and culture year-round.

      Even though no one in her family had a deep fascination with ballet or pursued a career in dance, Boylston had plenty of artistic motivation. She grew up surrounded by music, with her father being a drummer who loved playing his favorite songs in the basement and, less intentionally, on the steering wheel while driving. "I think that early exposure to music and rhythm was what initially connected me to ballet. Plus, I really enjoyed its creativity," she reflects. She describes her personality in childhood as free-spirited, improvisational, and drawn to dance. Once she realized her innate passion for movement could evolve into a career, Boylston decided to pursue her dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer.

      In addition to performing, the cherished moments in the studio, filled with laughter alongside friends and watching them dance, stand out as highlights of her career. Approaching her senior year of high school, she was offered a place in ABT’s Studio Company (the theater's junior company designed to prepare young dancers for professional careers). While she was keen on taking this step, her parents encouraged her to finish high school first. They reached a compromise—Boylston graduated early to join the Studio Company midway through her senior year. Spring 2026 will mark Boylston's 20th season with ABT. "My time with them has really flown by, but it’s also been tough, long, and enjoyable," she comments. "It’s been quite a roller coaster!" Reflecting on her career, Boylston identifies significant milestones as her "I made it" moments. For instance, her debut as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake was a dream role that she had longed for, just like many other dancers. "To embody the character to Tchaikovsky's music on the Met stage in front of 4,000 people for the first time was surreal. That day is unforgettable!" she recalls. Another pivotal moment that has shaped her career was performing as a guest artist with the Paris Opera Ballet. "I remember doing Don