Chase Johnsey

Chase Johnsey is an American ballet dancer. He is the co-founding and current Artistic Director of Ballet de Barcelona. He was a former principal dancer with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and a former first artist with the English National Ballet. Johnsey, who identifies as genderfluid but uses he/him pronouns, is reportedly the first male dancer to join the female ensemble of an international ballet company.

Early life and training Johnsey was born in Winter Haven, Florida. As a child he competed in national dance competitions for American clogging. He took his first classical ballet class at the age of fourteen. He was discouraged by his teachers in pursuing a career in classical ballet due to his effeminate physical features and slender, short build which differed from the masculine, "heroic" physique typically required for men in ballet. Despite discouragement, Johnsey continued to pursue a career in classical ballet. He trained at Virginia School of the Arts, Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, and Florida Dance Theatre. He has received critical acclaim for his quick footwork and technique, articulate pointe work, and execution of female roles. and Odette and Odile from Swan Lake. He claimed that dancers, including himself, were mistreated, sexually harassed, and discriminated against for appearing too feminine in classes and rehearsals and not living up to the company's expectations of what a "gay man is".

He joined the English National Ballet as a first artist and danced female roles with the company.

Johnsey identifies as genderfluid and uses male pronouns. Johnsey underwent facial feminization surgery and worked with a trainer, ballet mistress, and a nutritionist from the English National Ballet to help make changes to his body in order to appear more feminine.

Johnsey and Renedo divorced in March 2024. Johnsey acquired Ballet de Barcelona as part of the divorce settlement, and now acts as CEO, as well as continuing to serve as artistic director.