11 Facts About Iana Salenko

Iana Salenko is a Ukrainian-German ballet dancer.

Iana Salenko is a principal dancer at the Berlin State Ballet.

Iana Salenko has five siblings, and her parents worked in a restaurant.

Iana Salenko had an eating disorder, which led to her becoming very weak and injured.

Iana Salenko became a soloist at Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theatre after she graduated.

Iana Salenko was initially rejected by Vladimir Malakhov, the company's director.

Diana Vishneva convinced Malakhov to let Salenko to join the company.

Iana Salenko was offered a demi-soloist contract in 2005, and became a soloist the following year.

Iana Salenko originated the role of Aurora in Nacho Duato's reconstruction of The Sleeping Beauty.

Iana Salenko said was offered a full-time contract at The Royal Ballet, but declined it in order to let her son finish school in Germany, but she became a regular guest, and returned to dance in other productions, such as Tchaikovsky Pas de deux, The Two Pigeons and Giselle.

Iana Salenko is married to Marian Walter, a principal at Berlin State Ballet, whom she met at a competition.