Goodbye to great ballerina Yuan Yuan Tan after 3 decades onstage 💔

[@LaraOlina]

her lines are gorgeous

[@theDanceLens]

💯 ❤❤❤

[@shizukagozen777]

She's way too thin...

[@Lkyfkower_14]

Some people are just born that skinny. Either way, you can see she has muscles and is very toned so she actually looks very healthy.

[@shizukagozen777]

@@Lkyfkower_14 That's not because they're born this way that it looks good.

[@jane_edits13.]

stop slim shaming

[@user-vk3od9cp6n]

I thought she died for a minute 😭

[@theDanceLens]

Sorry I was just so sad that she’s retiring 😢❤

[@rissap1914]

I did too .

[@neldormiveglia1312]

No cause same 😂 I was like OMG.

[@Christian-wu3mp]

She uploaded it in this way purposely. She knew what she was doing with this vid

[@giovannao.p.7591]

lol but there's a saying that goes "a dancer dies twice, first is when they stop dancing" or something like that

[@jsummerm]

Nearly 30 years on stage?? That’s incredible

[@theDanceLens]

💯 isn’t it!

[@laural8370]

Actually more than 3 decades if considering the dancing years before joining the SFB.

[@MsCmsh]

It’s really unbelievably incredible!! That’s unheard of!! I doubt it’ll ever happen again to have another principal dancer in any renowned ballet company for such an unimaginable 3 decades time frame, considering what it takes to be one!! 🙄😳

[@simbahunter8894]

​@@MsCmshAh, how soon they forget! Wendy Whelan and Melissa Hayden danced with NYCBALLET thirty years, and Margot Fonteyn danced with the Royal Ballet even longer, as did Maya Plisetskaya with the Bolshoi.

[@cherryri9771]

She's 48 yo now, that's crazy🤯

[@meganharrell4081]

I saw her in Swan Lake back in 2010 and immediately fell in love with how amazing she was on stage. I hope her future remains just as bright.

[@theDanceLens]

She really is amazing ❤

[@CodyJoel]

OMG!!!! I saw her in Swan Lake back around that time too! Maybe we were in the audience together lol

[@TheAtl198]

​@@theDanceLensWait, you said she died?!!

[@GamerGirl1235-t4l]

woah that was 14 years ago

[@elChulachaki]

It would have been nice had they honored her career with a farewell performance.

[@theDanceLens]

No kidding

[@LA_HA]

She's in her 50s y'all. Let the woman rest. haha

[@jjuniper479]

@@LA_HA huh???

[@LA_HA]

@@jjuniper479 Uh... I was joking saying she's been doing ballet longer than most and she's tired. So instead of asking for a farewell performance, people should let her rest because, you know... she's tired. Look, all the jokes aren't going to be comedy gold in here. You're gonna get a few duds now and then. haha

[@jeffreydavis717]

Sometimes it's not needed or even desired. Her peers her genuine friends and associates have done that for her saluted her etc. It's takes a great deal of modesty and humility to exit with grace.. in this instance silence is golden. She is already being honored and reveered for her artistry.❤

[@rhena229]

She has been hired as the artistic director of Suzhou Ballet. Suzhou is an two thousand year old (the least) historical city, full of culture and natural beauty. Also it’s just half an hour away on high speed train from Shanghai.

[@theDanceLens]

May I ask where you read that? Because she didn’t. Mention it in the interview I read. Thanks!

[@rhena229]

@@theDanceLens It was in Chinese media. Due to geopolitical reasons, these days anything positive about China isn’t reported in English language media, and unfortunately that includes arts. 🤣 But yes she’ll be the artistic director of Suzhou Ballet. I’m looking forward to seeing some new works in that company when I visit my family in Shanghai in the future. ❤️😃

[@TahtahmesDiary]

Is this maybe why they didn't give her the full traditional goodbye she deserved and that everyone else has gotten? Politics?

[@hallievanoutryve3109]

@@rhena229thanks for the info

[@JMBBrasil]

@@rhena229that’s such BS.

[@Sparkle-cx3tn]

Becoming a principle dancer at 20 is INSANE!

[@sarashepard7504]

Yes, it does t happen anymore

[@evoandy]

Her performance in The Little Mermaid is the definitive performance of any dancer in any ballet in my book. I traveled from Texas to San Francisco just to see her in that role and every single moment of the entire production was the most breathtaking thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

[@NYandAZ]

She looks PHENOMENAL for being around 50!! That’s insane. Her body still looks so young and flawless; not to mention her precision and strength in her beautifully fluid movements. ❤ I hope she enjoys being retired but she’ll probably keep dancing somewhere; home or at a local studio.

[@theDanceLens]

I so agree

[@AmalteaF.-vx3bp]

I feel so sad for a Ballerina so higher and lovely like Yuan Yuan, sometimes one ask yourself where the Angels lf God go away so fast. I'm very sorry for her and her beautiful family. She was really a Leyend. A great Ballerina. R.I.P. my Angel of God. 🙏🏼👼🏼❤️😪💫🌜🌟✨❤️🩰🌹💐👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😓😇🌟✨💫

[@kate_m_k88]

@@AmalteaF.-vx3bp She didn't pass away, my friend, lol-she retired. Phrases like “the stage lost _” and “the stage says goodbye to _” 99.9% of the time mean that someone has decided to retire from their profession, in terms of dancing, acting, singing, etc., and not that they passed away.

[@AmalteaF.-vx3bp]

@@kate_m_k88 Oh Kate!!! That's a good notice for Mr like ballerina and person! She don't pass away!!! I'm very happy . I'm spanish and sometimes I don't understand well what are saying! Thanks you my lovely friend Kate!!! You make me very happy !!! Yuan Yuan untill in this life!!! Thanks you my dear friend Kate!!! I was very sad for my friend in my job Yuan Yuan. She's a great Ballerina. and a great person. With a great talent , feeling, sensitivity and musicality!!! Bravo for her and for you my lovely friend Kate. Thanks you very much for your goodness and for cleaning to me!!! God bless you and all your family. 🙏🏼👼🏼❤️🤗👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼💐🌹😇😃🦢🩰🌞❤️🌟✨💫 Amaltea F. Very grateful to you.!!!

[@TheAtl198]

​@@kate_m_k88That's just objectively untrue. These phrases much more often mean that someone died, which is why this clickhound is clickbaiting with them.

[@capsrawesome0108]

Wow! She's Amazing! God Bless Her..🙏💖✨

[@ImmortalHDizzle]

I think it's beautiful that strong tenacious women like her have helped future ballet dancers of all ages truly believe that it's never too late to reach their dreams and that you can dance a long vivacious career with dedication and hard work. she will be forever missed on the stage, but her aura will always be there, and so will her inspiration. ❤❤❤

[@theDanceLens]

I so agree ❤

[@tsuyuasui7297]

Didn't she do ballet at à very young age?

[@ImmortalHDizzle]

@@tsuyuasui7297 yes, I believe so. but it's not very common for dancers to have such a long career in a company! I'm glad she got to!

[@quirkysaucy]

My friends have season tickets to the SF ballet and the wife was sick and was unable to go to a performance. I met up with the husband and was absolutely mesmerized by her. She was one of the most beautiful dancers I have ever seen, and as an Asian female, I felt a connection to ballet I never felt before seeing someone who looked like me up on that stage. So grateful for that

[@Xxrawrzx09]

ill never forget watching her in the nutcracker when i was 12, im 22 now and an apprentice at san fran ballet ❤️

[@theDanceLens]

Yes we’ve all grown up with her haven’t we 🩷

[@Loralanthalas]

Very cool

[@t.r.luxx1311]

I'm amazed that she stayed that long since, like you said, they retired after a few years. This is just a testament of her skill and determination.

[@theDanceLens]

💯 ❤

[@shinalust287]

And they didn’t even give her the customary farewell performance. That they always do for principal dancers

[@sariel8406]

Maybe she doesnt want a farewell performance because she has other plans for more performing and dancing. She isnt retiring. She is just retiring from the company.

[@yoohimi]

As someone who likes to draw human figures, I can see what you mean by exquisite lines. Her movements are poise, and her figure in different poses are just so beautiful.

[@TheMarcyFran]

Three decades dancing professionally is an eon! Shows her strength, skill and dedication to the art.

[@ruthgriffiths7365]

She was the most magical dancer to grace the stage since Margot Fonteyn... who also trained in Shanghai. Having seen both perform, I feel confident in saying that I have witnessed performances by the greatest ballerinas in history.

[@mermaidopulence8539]

She is one of my favorite dancers from the San Francisco Ballet. Im sad to see her leave the stage but she left a huge legacy behind along with massive shoes to fill.

[@theDanceLens]

MASSIVE yes!

[@pragyasingh2297]

She’s absolutely incredible to watch, her lines, the way she’s so mindful about the way she holds herself at all times and makes it look so casual ❤ may we all remember her artistry and brilliance for many years to come!

[@lucerofleck]

My husband & I were fortunate to see her perform with the San Francisco Ballet in the 1990s!

[@chalkedlines8960]

She was already a professional dancer when I was in high school in the 90s. That’s definitely the end of an era. She’s such an icon. I will miss her dancing.

[@JaniceLThinker]

She made beautiful, exquisite shapes and her movement was light as a feather. Another sparkling light has gone out. A true artist.

[@saliasuale3523]

That word "lost" is too strong... Was about to send my condolences 😂

[@AVIDEOGAL]

GAVE THE GREATEST BALLET PERFORMANCE IN HISTORY IN "THE LITTLE MERMAID", BEST ACTING, BEST EMOTION, BEST DANCE EVER, NEVER SEEN ANYBODY WORK SO HARD AND GIVE SO MUCH IN MY ENTIRE LIFE !!! IT WAS A STAGGERINGLY EPIC PERFORMANCE !!!

[@amandab8433]

I couldn't believe it when I saw the article on sfgate. She will be missed. She is one of the inspirations that got my daughter into dance. She will be missed.

[@theDanceLens]

That’s amazing is your daughter at SFB?

[@nospoonfulofmayonnaiseforme]

She's gorgeous omg

[@angiadcock8196]

I had the great honor of seeing her live once and it was the most moved by ballet I’ve ever been. She was an exquisite dancer and she will be missed on stage.

[@nodanceswithwolves8425]

Wow! She has the most amazing form!❤

[@Jii-z6s]

Such an exquisite beauty. Yuan Yuan Tan....epic!

[@Sarah-ho1oi]

I saw her as Juliet. Incredible. She brought so much youthful joy to the role. An excellent actress and flawless dancer.

[@michelewilliams7250]

Breathtakingly Beautiful💛

[@HighonBoots]

Got to be a walk on role with her in Othello! Such a kind soul!!

[@theDanceLens]

That’s really cool ❤

[@kat.jax99]

Oh my god her lines! ❤

[@faybeemaybemill8567]

Incredible Dancer. From The Start. But it's not the end. She has so much knowledge to impart. Her life has been a shower of diamond's and she has been kind enough to share with us.

[@ladyhawk5245]

I hope she takes up teaching. Do has so much amazing abilities.🇨🇦💕💕💕

[@samuelkackerman1007]

Have been grateful to watch her for 20+ years. She made even the most boring choreography mesmerizing to watch. She will be missed.

[@Celebratepeace]

So graceful ☺️

[@Celebratepeace]

Thank you for such perfection 🌹

[@cherryjello777]

Just looking at her form brings tears to my eyes, how gorgeous. An angel to the arts, I hope she relishes retirement ❤

[@theDanceLens]

❤

[@Loveandlight445]

She's so beautiful as are her lines.. she will be missed on stage. ❤

[@theDanceLens]

Absolutely, Yuan Yuan Tan's grace and artistry have captivated so many. She will truly leave a lasting legacy in the world of ballet.

[@DianeW-gd7dl]

Perfect beauty. I hope she finds joy with her next adventure. Certainly has the capability to do anything

[@emma_nutella58]

I just know she’d be great teaching the next generation of young dancers

[@Amelia.B-12]

I love how without a word, they demonstrate care

[@EmLasker]

Thanks for the memories Ms. Tan!

[@torischwartz745]

30 years is such an accomplishment

[@daynawithawhy]

So many gifts she gave us. Thank you xo

[@lisalovesphotography]

I’ve seen her dance a few times and she is truly breathtaking.

[@rebahenderson211]

Thank you Yuan Yuan Tan for bringing us such artistry and joy. ❤ ❤❤❤

[@nerrissarichards]

She’s just Beautiful! ❤ It’s such a sad thing to see such a talented performer go!

[@debprobst330]

She's amazing absolutely gorgeous 😍

[@theDanceLens]

❤

[@de-nz4jp]

Stunningly beautiful dancer..

[@theDanceLens]

Yes indeed

[@DaveYognaut]

respect. just from the clipd in this short, she's got such incredible control. and yeah, her lines are striking haha

[@user-bi8ko7kc6h]

Became a ballerina in the US 3 decades ago as a Chinese alone is already crazy enough and she was a principal dancer. I can’t imagine how much she had to work harder and the pain she went through compared to others.

[@harrietthespy2119]

What a fantastic talent and artist!❤

[@PiyaChoudhari]

So beautiful and elegant

[@luvzfrance24]

Omg this truly is the end of an era! She was amazing.

[@theDanceLens]

I know, right?! She was such a legend! It’s gonna be weird not seeing her on stage anymore.

[@relevantelevant8203]

She is not lost! She will go on inspiring other dancers and hopefully teaching!

[@theDanceLens]

The stage lost, but yes I hope she continues in many capacities

[@wendyshoowaiching4161]

Not worry. With Such Talents. Many theatres in the world will open their doors for her

[@lynnrichardson353]

An amazing woman, a transcendent ballerina.. ❤

[@bernadetteballerina9358]

Such a beautiful and talented and graceful ballerina!

[@JBaxter-pi8oj]

Her lines are flawless. Unfortunately, given that ballet is an extremely physical art retirement from the stage happens so early in life. My best wishes for her future and may she always enjoy such great success.

[@deirdreday8731]

She obviously was born to Dance. Her poise and movement and flow is so very beautiful. I hope by loss you don’t mean she has passed away. If so the good Lord Will Gather His Angels to Lead her to Paradise and she will dance for ever more !

[@PiyaChoudhari]

Wow such a beautiful stature and postures so beau

[@--ag]

Thank you. I’m sorry l haven’t heard of her, but will look up as much as l can now. She’s beautiful! This is a loss. ❤

[@tidymorsels404]

I saw her dance Odette-Odile years ago. She had an entirely new take on Odile’s motivations. Rather than creating a character who was simply evil, she portrayed Odile as an obedient daughter. After every Interaction with Siegfried, she would check with von Rothbart to see if she was “doing it right.” So refreshing! So many memorable performances through the years.

[@debbieheath7838]

Wow, she's so stunning, elegant... She's really art in motion!!❤

[@Lindableching]

Thank you for the years of incredibly beautiful dancing. Pure perfection! ❤

[@theDanceLens]

100%

[@robotlife2025]

I love that she was dancing with Tiit Helimets ❤

[@crunchberrychaos]

Her body is absolute GOALS!!

[@Romalvx]

My opinion id that classical dance makes someone eternal despite retirement. We experiences that with ballerina Carla Fracci, she had been the prima in the Scala Theatre before stepping towards some rare solo performances, and she died a long time after. She is-and forever will be, one of the greatest.

[@Ohana1-l4y]

The after the rain pas de deux… so so beautiful

[@sariel8406]

Martha Graham has said that a dancer suffer from 2 deaths. The first is when they stopped dancing. I hope that she will continue dancing in any othet ways possible.

[@KnawedOne]

She is magnificent

[@KatrinaHallam]

Well she got to Have a career of her passion that actually supported her. Good nough. Congratulations.

[@americaartistofthequanticp8404]

I know that she will be here with us for..... Beyond the Dawn of the Golden Era of Mankind 🌀💞

[@kristiLB93]

Oh Yaun Yaun!!!😱 One of my absolute favorites!!!!! I hope she's set to coach the next generation. ♥️

[@ginaqc78]

Simply espectacular ❤❤❤❤

[@JesiErin]

Dancers like Yuan Yuan Tan and Sylvie Guillem are extraordinary in their longevity. Maybe science will get to the bottom of why some people can maintain their physical abilities for so long, but I think a lot of it is passion and work ethic. The older they get the more carefully they have to use their bodies. Making it to your late 40s as a world class athlete is just as much a testament to tenacity as it is to genetics. It’s quite something to behold a dancer with 30 years of professional experience. Musicians, actors, and singers can more easily have careers that long. It’s unfortunate more dancers cannot.

[@heathersha]

I was intrigued by each layer and felt like I really got to feel and know each part of me, then felt them thread together and connect by the end. My mind was a bit hectic, then you said make it like your brain is breathing, and I will use that to calm my mind from now on! When I connected with my soul, I felt so peaceful, blissful. Expanding to Spirit was a divine experience, and I loved that as we went slowly backwards through the parts, each stayed clear -- I didn't move away from Spirit as I moved back into my body. 🙌🏽💫❤

[@missydavis6678]

Like a bird she looks so delicate and graceful, yet inside she is Steele. Amazing!

[@cayman9873]

Saw her several times, she was an angel floating above the stage. ❤

[@harrisonkathryn]

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful tribute

[@labonnokarim2939]

Amazing woman and talent ❤

[@erichuie9376]

The only consolation is that she will pass on all her knowledge and artistry in her new role. 🙏❤️

[@DianeLee999]

Thanks to her for an extraordinary career and our hopes for her happiness at whatever she chooses to do going forward!💜👏👏👏👏👏

[@theDanceLens]

❤❤❤

[@marylousherman5471]

Now she can help young dancers develop those exquisite lines and pass on her knowledge and dedication...not lost at all!

[@mehyubu]

I don't know why im crying over how pretty she is

[@ThatsJustPeechy]

What a sweet tribute to her

[@sharonbyrd8625]

Beautiful woman❤❤❤

[@random.comment]

I love that once in a while, you step out of frame for a bit, so that we can all appreciate the magnificence that is Yuan Yuan Tan.

[@theDanceLens]

Thank you I agree, she deserves the full screen ❤

[@HaleyOnTheRocks]

Beautifully said 💐 ✨

[@user-mp1hv2ng4z]

Shes was UNIQUE/Unic... Best wishes to her great Lady of the Ballet. Je l'aime beaucoup. Electron vivant uniquement au travers de la danse qui la transfigure. Je lui souhaite le meilleurs pour la poursuite de sa vie dans ce milieu très certainement où elle est une étoile brillante, fascinante. Une ligne incroyable. Meilleurs vœux pour votre suite : ) Sincèrement de Lausanne, suisse

[@janscurlock2482]

Her point would make John Curry so proud. Perfect line, etherical grace, and effortles movement...is absolutely gorgeous.

[@rhia_code]

All ballerinas are elegant but she is something else. She glows grace

[@theDanceLens]

💯 agree ❤

[@karenpage-sanford9850]

Thank you for sharing ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lindseybotelho]

She's perfection

[@maureenconnolly9114]

So beautiful

[@aldretaldret4310]

Her work now is to share with the others okay the Queen is lost but God save the Queen. Welcome in a new reality among the people precisely. Teach teach teach share your knowledge, Madame. « What you received, give it back ». Et au boulot. A New Life is beginning. And, okay, if she is creative she must not forget that a dancer is before everything a choreographer. 😊 And she can even eat an hamburger sometimes now. Super. Après l’effort le réconfort. She does not have to sacrifice her health, or private life to her art, this will make a great difference, now. 😊 My Best wishes to her ❤ La vie est Belle 🥰

[@charlottemitchell7015]

Three decades…yeah that body said ma’am were done,she’s a beautiful dancer tho

[@MarybethWuenschel]

Thank you for sharing this