With her grace and grit, and the will to lead change, Misty Copeland is truly a ballerina for our time.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Misty Copeland is making history. During American Ballet Theatre's current season at the Metropolitan Opera House, Copeland will alight on that storied Lincoln Center stage, making her New York debut as the Swan Queen in the iconic masterpiece Swan Lake - a crowning achievement for any dancer, regardless of the color of her skin.
The first movement ballerina should be a paradigm of strength and authority.
As a child, I had been told that I was exactly what a ballerina should be.
I don't think of myself as a dancer. I think of myself as a singer-actress who moves really well.
Certainly, when you train as a classical dancer, you are very much influenced by 'Giselle.' You see it all the time; you start to learn the steps a little.
I've been a ballerina since I was two, but I've always wanted to be an actress.
My favorite dancer is Sylvie Guillem.
There were many good actresses in my time like Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds, but I was the only dancer.
I toured with Lady Gaga, and her choreographer is incredibly talented and develops some crazy routines. Lady Gaga is very involved in the dancing, too, and she always wants to have creative input. I had an incredible time with her!
You know I very much respect Yvonne Rainer, she is very important - in American dance, the entire development of modern dance, and creating a wonderful physical language.