Misty Copeland Quotes

Ballet was so structured. I’d been craving something that could guide me.

It’s hard to be the one that stands out when, you know, in a ballet company, you’re trying to create unison and uniform when you’re in a corps de ballet.

Don’t hold on to the barre like, ‘I might die.’ It’s just ballet.

My curves became an integral part of who I am as a dancer, not something I needed to lose to become one.

I have the opportunity, which most people don’t experience nearly as much, of being in front of a mirror up to 10 hours a day. Staring at your body, you really get to know every little detail of how to make yourself look your best.

Ballet was this thing that just felt so innate in me, like I was meant to be doing this.

I love heels. I’m 5-foot-2, and I like feeling tall.

My childhood is a part of my story, and it’s why I’m who I am today and why my career is what it is.

I’ve always approached my career and my life, you know, one day at a time, as if this was the last day that I’m going, because you never know as an athlete and as a dancer. You never know what can happen today, tomorrow.

At least in my performances, the audience has become so diverse in a way that I don’t think ballet has ever experienced.

I know that I’m talented, and I know that I’m not in American Ballet Theater because I’m black – I’m here because I’m a gifted dancer.

Ballet found me, I guess you could say. I was discovered by a teacher in middle school. I always danced my whole life. I never had any training, never was exposed to seeing dance, but I always had something inside of me. I would love to choreograph and dance around.

I never thought of myself as special or particularly good at anything. But once I started ballet, suddenly I had a new identity: prodigy.

When I was dancing, I felt in control and happy. I’m a Virgo, so I really like to be in control.

I’ve gotten nothing but warmth from the Black community and positive feedback.

I didn’t care how much work it would take, and I didn’t see the time invested as a waste or like I was missing out on anything. Ballet became my ultimate passion.

I don’t feel like my life is that of a superstar! Every day I wake up, I take the train, I go to my ballet class. My everyday life is pretty normal.