Olga Smirnova is the 25-year-old prima ballerina for the Russian Bolshoi Ballet and the star of The Sleeping Beauty, a film version of the classic ballet that hits U.S. theaters March 10. Since discovering dance as a young girl she has spent her life strengthening her body for her art.
And she works hard onstage and off to accomplish that goal.
"You rarely see people in a professional ballet company who aren't in shape because the work is so physically demanding," says Smirnova, who hails from St. Petersburg, Russia.
Although she eats a healthfully to stay strong — "you really can't allow yourself not to be in great shape because there are certain standards you follow in classical ballet" — she's not above the occasional indulgence.
Still, she doesn't go overboard.
"Every day we are forced to look at ourselves in a full-length mirror. So you always have an awareness of your physicality and can adjust your diet if you feel you need to eat healthier or eat less sugar," she says.
It's a rigorous lifestyle, but once a year Smirnova gets some well-deserved rest.