ICYMI: Female Ringmaster Breaks Ringling's Glass Ceiling

ELLENTON, FL — A 35-year-old Florida native with a firecracker personality and “rock star” energy has broken a glass ceiling few may have known still existed. Kristen Michelle Wilson has been named the 39th ringmaster for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. She’ll make her debut as the first-ever female leading the show in early January.

Wilson, who grew up in Tallahassee, was selected by circus owner Feld Entertainment from a slate of hundreds of candidates during a national open audition process. Her appointment marks the first time in Ringling’s 146-year history that a female was selected for the role.

“We constantly travel the globe looking for the best and brightest talent,” said Alana Feld, vice president of Feld Entertainment and Ringling Bros.’ producer. “Kristen Michelle Wilson wowed us with her powerful voice and charismatic personality.”

Wilson auditioned for the role in Orlando. Her appointment was announced Wednesday.

The role of ringmaster is one Wilson said “is a bucket list dream job.” The gravity of serving as the first woman to lead the show isn’t lost on her either.

See also: Ringling Bros. Elephants Get Early Retirement

“It means so much to be the first female ringmaster,” she said. “I’m excited to represent women and demonstrate to young girls that they can do anything and everything by owning who they are and having the passion and enthusiasm to pursue their dreams.”

Wilson wasn’t sure she’d be picked but was confident she could “bring a young rock star-style energy” to the show.

That energy is what captured so much attention during auditions. Feld said Wilson stood out as “a dynamic performer with tremendous stage presence and exceptional vocal skills.”

Wilson will make her debut performance at the Amway Center in Orlando on Jan. 12 heading up Circus EXTREME. The show has stops in Jacksonville and Tampa before moving on to other parts of the country. Circus EXTREME comes to Tampa Jan. 25-29 at the Amalie Arena. Ticket prices start at $18 and are available via the Ringling Bros. website.

Circus XTREME features “high-wire wizards, powerful strongmen, BMX trick riders, trampoline daredevils, inconceivable contortionists” and a host of other performers, according to the circus. The show runs an estimated two and a half hours and also features some of Ringling’s famous animal acts. Missing from the lineup that boasts more than 300 cast and crew members will be elephants.

Although associated with Ringling for most of its history, elephant acts were phased out of the show in May 2016 following a lengthy campaign by animal rights activists. Ringling announced in March 2015 that it would stop using Asian elephants in its acts by 2018. The decision was prompted by growing public concern over the treatment of the animals on the road.

Alana Feld acknowledged at the time that many people weren’t “comfortable” with the idea of the circus traveling with its elephants.

“This decision was not easy, but it is in the best interest of our company, our elephants and our customers,” Kenneth Feld, chairman of the company, said in a statement announcing the impending retirement of elephant acts.

In announcing the faster timetable for the elephants’ retirement, Feld said earlier this year that the company’s staff had been able to make “necessary plans and preparations to move the elephants to (Polk County’s) Center for Elephant Conservation much sooner than anticipated.”

To find out more about Circus XTREME or Ringling, visit its website.

Photo of Kristen Michelle Wilson, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey’s first-ever female ringmaster, courtesy of Feld Entertainment.