Dancer reveals surprising ‘Black Swan’ world of New York City Ballet in memoir

As a teenage dancer competing for a spot at the prestigious New York City Ballet, Georgina Pazcoguin was told by the company’s then-artistic director, Peter Martins, that she needed to lose weight: specifically in her thighs.

It was her first “fat talk.” She was sent to a nutritionist who recommended a diet supplement that Pazcoguin likened to “chalk dust packets.” Dinner for the still-developing girl? A chicken breast and spinach or lettuce. Her daily caloric intake was 720 calories.