I’m a ballerina – some people think we destroy our pointe shoes but there’s a reason why we must mold them to our feet

A BALLERINA has dispelled the misconceptions people have about how they treat their pointe shoes.

As it turns out, there’s a reason dancers need to adjust them to fit their feet.

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Laura Gruener, a ballerina, explained the whole shoe situation in a YouTube short film.

She began the video by stating that most pointe shoes, even the custom ones, aren’t immediately wearable for dancing.

Therefore, she bends the soles of the shoes to “soften” them.

Although not everyone does this, she trims the hem and sole of the shoe to bend it into the right shape.

It beats the alternative of getting expensive custom shoes, she said, as she feels they’re not worth it.

Even pointe shoes should not be heard.

So Gruener literally pops them to reduce the noise the shoe makes on the floor.

Ponte shoes actually get quieter the more you dance, she said.

However, some roles for ballet require harder shoes.

They’re expensive, and you can go through a pair or two in a week.

A ballet company will often give you shoes in these cases.

You could glue the shoes a little so that they last longer, said Grüner.

“I often do it before I even start dancing in the shoe,” she said.

All these rules and difficulties make it difficult to put on pointe shoes, let alone dance in them.

“It literally feels like having a brick on your foot or trying to fit it to your foot,” she said.

In the comments, fans couldn’t believe how difficult the shoe process is.

“I’ve heard this from several dancers, and I just can’t help but wonder why on earth are they even doing them like that?” said one person.

“I have a lot more questions now,” said another.

“I dated some dancers and their poor feet,” commented a third.

“The amount of personal discomfort and direct pain they go through to achieve their career and make 10,000 people stand up and cheer is incredible and deserves my respect.”