Armenian ballet dancer expelled from Venice Opera over erotic photo session

Ballet dancer at the Venice Opera Karine Sarkisova has been expelled over a controversial photo session that included open and erotic scenes, reports Utro.ru.

An Armenian in origin, Sakrisova’s contract was annulled on August 23 when her photos appeared on the September issue of Wiener – a magazine for men.

Earlier too had Sarkisova had a similar photo session with Penthouse magazine. The management of the Venice Opera had then warned her to quit stop posing for magazines.

The Director of the Venice Opera had disapproved especially of the fact that Sarkisova, despite the warnings, continued posing for magazines. But the director had mostly been infuriated by the headline of that magazine: A Naked Ballet Dancer: Ballet as We Like It.

Talking to Utro.ru Sarkisova has said that she does not feel bad about the photos, adding that the move by the opera management is a display of discrimination against women.

Born in 1983 Karina Sarkisova has been dancing at the Venice Opera since 2000.

Since 2009 she has performed as a soloist.