Teenage dancer defies fat-shaming and medical condition to build successful career on online fame

Social media might be a platform for people to showcase their talents, but it can at times be a toxic space plagued by unrealistic beauty standards and body-shaming bullies. But dancer Lizzy Howell, better known as @lizzy.dances on Instagram, navigated the internet with unshakeable commitment to nurturing her talent and working towards success. Her life took a surprising turn after she posted a video of her ballet performance on social media back 2016. A few months later, the video went viral and Howell became an internet sensation.

In the Instagram video, a teenage Howell wearing a burgundy leotard, danced her heart out and swirled around with the most graceful ballet moves. In 2017, Howell reshared the same video and wrote a heartwarming message with her social media well-wishers who brought her unexpected fame. "A year ago today, I posted this video not because I thought it was 'perfect,' not because I wanted attention. I posted it because I thought my friends and family would like to see what I do on a daily basis. Little did I know that in January of 2017, my life would change forever. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me during this journey," her post read.

People were showering their love for Howell's dedication and relentless efforts. "I just want to say never give up. No matter what happens or what people say, just keep heading for your dreams," encouraged @tommy44386. "You make it look so easy and graceful, but it's so hard and takes so much time to get. I love it so much!" lauded @zoe.aden. "You go, girl. Never let hatred keep you down! You're amazing," chimed in @mrs_hutchyy.

But life hasn't always been a bed of roses for Howell. She was constantly bullied for years and even her viral ballet video garnered some negative comments, as per her interview with Jordan Matter's Unstoppable show. 

Amid thousands of applicants who wanted to be featured in Matter's book "Born To Dance," Howell caught his attention. "Every day, Lizzy would get up and go to dance class in her leotard even though she knew when she got there, she would be teased, ridiculed and bullied. But she did it anyway. That's the thing that really touched me," Matters said. Speaking of the internet bullies, Howell said, "They don't know me, they don't know anything. They just see a picture and they're judging me based on one picture or one video. You don't know, like, my story." The dancer suffers from a condition called "pseudotumor cerebri," which creates a spinal fluid build-up around her brain. Despite being told to stop dancing many times, Howell never gave up and was driven by motivation from her aunt and well-wishers.

As a 23-year-old, Howell still astonishes the internet with her amazing dance moves. In 2022, Howell moved to LA and started pursuing dancing as her career. She has rocked not only ballet but also contemporary, freestyle and hip-hop dance. "I think sometimes social media paints a pretty picture in people's minds. I used to think famous people's lives were all happy," Howell told POPSUGAR. "I think it helps to realize that people who hide behind a screen and bully you would never say anything to your face. If you are being told you should quit doing something you love, don't quit! It's one person's opinion, and honestly, if they can't see how happy it makes you, their opinion doesn't matter. Only yours does," she added.

You can follow Lizzy Howell (@lizzy.dances) on Instagram for more content about dance and her life.