From taking up leadership positions in ministries to becoming renowned sports personalities, Saudi women have been breaking the mold for years, inspiring generations in the region and beyond. One such figure who has been making headlines lately is Samira Alkhamis, known fondly as “The Saudi Ballerina.”
Alkhamis recently spoke about her journey with Cosmo ME, talking about the importance of having her family’s support, to one of her most challenging and favorite performances, which was held in Saudi Arabia. She explained how dancing began for her at an early age, saying, “I started dancing when I was four. I have four sisters and they all dance. It started with the eldest and then every sibling got involved. Except I decided to make a profession out of it and opened a studio called Pulse Personal Training.”
The young ballerina also discussed the importance of having the right backing when pursuing your dreams, explaining that her parents have always been extremely supportive. “They're my biggest fans,” she said. She also noted that her field is highly competitive and it can be difficult to not compare oneself to other dancers.
Out of all the performances Alkhamis has held, her favorite one was during the Riyadh Season, which took place from October 15 till December 15 and was one of 11 festivals under the Kingdom’s Saudi Seasons.
“I was basically dancing with a horse! That was a challenging one,” she explained. “I had to train with the horse, learn how to handle it, if it panicked what should I do; it was insane. Not only was I performing in front of thousands of people in a stadium for the first time, but I was also wearing this really long dress and cape. Oh, and the horse was loose during the dance.”
Alkhamis was also featured on this year’s official poster for the Red Sea International Film Festival, a striking image of the young ballerina emerging from the sea.
