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My father danced a lot. He was called 'the French Fred Astaire.'

I danced in a company of 'West Side Story' when I was very young. It was most of the original cast - Larry Kert, Chita Rivera - and Jerry Robbins directed. It was tough, a wonderful initiation for me.

It was extraordinary 'cause I was 17 years old when I first danced with Edward Villella. And we were both young. But I had seen him dance, and he was already a star. So he was just so gentle and wonderful and kind, and we had a great rapport together. He was one of the most exciting dancers of our day.

I kind of lost interest in the classical dance. I was very much interested in the modern choreography.

Into La Bombonera danced the most agile, rhythmic, beautiful, sensuous people I have ever seen. And that was just the fans.

When I finally decided to do the show, I only had two weeks to learn the choreography and the songs in French.

One of them would definitely be the Nelson Mandela gig, when I played the tribute song for him. He was up and dancing, and he really enjoyed it. It was a really lovely occasion.

I watched 'Fame,' and I just love the choreography. It just gives me a place to be in another zone.

The costumes had to serve the choreography.

It's weird when you see pieces of choreography that were done for you 15 or 20 years ago and now they are being done by another dance company.