Isabella Boylston Instagram – On Wednesday night, I was honored with the Princess Grace Statue award alongside filmmakers @shifty_shellmound and @jonmchu who received the Prince Ranier III Award. @paultazewell (the incredible costume designer of Wicked!!) presented me with the award. Here are a few words from my speech which I read (public speaking = a dancers worst nightmare):
Tonight feels like a full circle moment for me. When I was awarded the Princess Grace Award in 2009, one of my idols, the great American Ballerina, @gillianemurphy was honored with the Statue Award. This past summer, she retired with a glorious performance of Swan Lake. Now, as I’m accepting my Statue award, it fills me with joy and pride to see two extraordinary young dancers from American Ballet Theatre, @maddiebdancing, and @kaylamak10 being recognized as this years Princess Grace award recipients.
The journey of a dancer is often challenging, filled with struggles and disappointments, but it’s also filled with endless discovery, beauty, fun, and transcendence. It’s such a privilege to get to move people through ballet, and to make them feel something. But the greatest gift ballet has given me is friendship and community.
It was a night I’ll never forget and I’m forever grateful to the @princessgraceus foundation for your support and nurturing throughout the years.
Thank you @alejandraalonsorojas for the princess dress and @ashleybrignolle for the phenomenal glam ✨ | Posted on 31/Oct/2025 22:42:15
