From what i remember about Kolesnikova's situation before she became a prima, that it is not her face/looks, but her height that was an issue. The "uglyduckling" term is used figuratively (per her own interviews) to describe "someone who stuck out" from the norms and felt like an odd-ball.I’m not sure about skating but “beauty of face” most certainly is a factor in selecting girls who enter the top ballet academies in Russia. It’s also taken into account in the annual weeding process, if all else is the same...then, of course, in hiring. Just ask 1998 Vaganova Academy grad Irina Kolesnikova, a brilliant dancer who was not hired by any of the major companies after graduation because of certain facial features, joined a smaller private company (Tatchkine’s St. Petersburg Ballet), became a much-beloved Prima on International tours, especially in the UK. I admire Kolesnikova’s ability to laugh at it all now; for example, she’s given herself the Instagram handle “Irinatheuglyduckling”... https://www.instagram.com/irinatheuglyduckling/..
... yet now she’s a gorgeous lead in Swan Lake. But I digress.
http://www.svenarnstein.com/newsite2/wp-content/gallery/irina-kolesnikova/ik_blad_1690.jpg
No one’s allowed in for another spot. Liza hasn’t officially withdrawn yet.
) and he sings it with the talented Alexander Filin. He is the son of Sergei Filin ( ex Bolshoi director) who is the choreographer of the show and he prepares Evgeni and the ballet dancers. 
Kolyada was still in the hospital as of yesterday. After a sinus puncture you need to stay there for several days and you are meant to avoid physical exertion for 7-10 days. When exactly is he planning to recover enough, I wonder.I posted it in the other thread about Russian Nationals. His coach Valentina Chebotareva was quoted by the news agency TASS confirming that he had problems with sinusitis but will come to Nationals nevertheless.
I hope he will be recovered enough and not does not put his health at further risk. Also I hope he gets the right advice from the doctors. Nationals is important and for sure there are enough people waiting for the chance to kick him out of the National team, so I guess there is a lot of pressure on him to compete. But it won't help him eventually if he competes and skates poorly because he is sick or he aggravates his illness.
Lisa Tuktamysheva obviously had no chance to recover in time for Nationals. She looked still really sick in the photo she posted today (although she wrote that she is much better already). But those people who think she feigned illness to avoid to lose at Nationals to junior skaters probably just think she used make up to look sick.
Thank-you so much....I so like him. Hope it is a great show
that Brian Boitano was her favorite skater
