HOUSTON BALLET’S HARPER WATTERS HAS TO DANCE.
Harper Watters boldly shows Houston how it’s done
As a demi soloist for Houston Ballet, Harper Watters is making a name for himself onstage. But it’s the Instagram videos of him dancing in pink, platform stilettos that are catapulting him to social-media stardom. Watters says it started out as a joke. The heels were a gag gift from a company member, so Watters and his best friend, Houston Ballet dancer Rhys Kosakowski, had the idea of shooting a fun video of Watters in the heels dancing on a treadmill in 2015. Watters shot several more videos of himself strutting to Beyoncé — he knows the lyrics to every one of her songs by heart.
In May, Marie Claire magazine posted a mix of Watters’ videos with the headline, “Never complaining again about how hard it is to walk in heels.” It has garnered more than 3 million views. Watters is now the brand ambassador for PreHeels, a shoe spray to prevent blisters and skin chafing.
“I took the risk to put myself out there,” said the 25 year old. “I love Beyoncé and pink heels, and that’s considered feminine. But I also train and rehearse 10 hours a day and take on different characters that require me to be strong and lift women, and that’s very masculine. It’s my goal to push the boundaries of what people think I should be.”
Watters’ “heel” videos helped boost his Instagram following from 4,000 to more than 63,000. In 2015, he also launched the YouTube web series “The Pre Show,” which highlights the behind-the-scenes life of a professional dancer.
It’s his mix of sass, fun and relatability that make his videos a hit with followers. Along the way, he also hopes to encourage more people to watch and enjoy ballet.
“It’s amazing, the power of social media,” Watters said. “My heel videos have encouraged more people to look at my classical ballet photos. I’ve gotten messages from so many young dancers who are inspired by them. It’s a way of gathering a whole new audience of people for the ballet world.”
Watters’ creative free spirit and chiseled body have captivated followers, as well as marketers. Urban Outfitters recently tapped him to be part of the company’s social-media campaign for Pride Month. Houston photographer Cary Fagan shot Watters wearing a shirt with the slogan “Love is Love” in rainbow colors for an Urban Outfitters campaign.
“It’s special to be able to call yourself a classic ballet dancer, and even more special to be happy with who you are,” Watters wrote on UrbanOutfitters.com.
On Friday and Saturday, Watters will perform with other Houston Ballet dancers in their benefit project, Reach, at the ballet’s dance Lab, 601 Preston. Tickets are available at reachprojecthtx.com.
By all accounts, Watters’ success has defied the odds.
The openly gay, professional ballet dancer was born to a teenage mother and an incarcerated father. At 2 weeks old, he was adopted by a white couple — David Watters, a New Hampshire senator and retired University of New Hampshire professor, and Janice Alberghene, a retired college professor, who lived in Dover, N.H.
“I’m an adopted black boy from New Hampshire who became a classical dancer. What are the odds of that happening?” Watters joked.
His parents enrolled him in tap dancing at age 3 because he had so much energy. His gold lamé vest and black jazz pants at his first big recital were a hit — he was the only boy in a bevy of girls.
Watters attended a private performing arts high school near Boston, then enrolled in an intensive summer program at Houston Ballet before his senior year. He was hooked and never returned home, finishing high school online and joining Houston Ballet II, the group’s second company.
Houston Ballet legend Lauren Anderson convinced Watters’ parents to let him remain in the company.
“At that time, I didn’t know being a classical dancer was an option,” Watters said. “The only place I had seen dancers who looked like me was with Alvin Ailey. Lauren told my parents being here was what I needed.”
Last fall, Watters was promoted to a demi soloist. His parents visit Houston seven to eight times a year to see each one of his shows.
“I’m so lucky to have parents who wanted me to succeed. They are the reason I’m standing on stage,” he said.
As Watters has settled into Houston with Roxy, his 6-year-old Maltese, his style has changed, too. “My mom was dressing me in L.L. Bean from the beginning. Hey, we’re from New Hampshire,” Watters said with a laugh. “I was obsessed with Crocs then. Now, I think they are just foul.”
Today, he’s most comfortable in atheleisure wear when not performing. He snagged a vintage-inspired striped jacket during the ballet’s visit to Germany in April. He also can’t stop wearing a houndstooth coat (often paired with Doc Martens) he found on Asos. com.
“I’ve evolved since my New England days when I was trying to fit in,” Watters said. “I look for things that fit my body well and complement my lines. Now, I’m happy to stand out. I’ve realized you can be loud and bold without being annoying.”