Choreographers tend to treat ballet dancers like kids they can manipulate. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
I had never a thought of training to be a ballerina. I was a normal child. I never dreamed of the tutu. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
The problems I had with the Paris Opera Ballet are a thing of the past. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
Working with a new style of choreography is always a period of adaptation. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
If you start dancing too young, it can be torture. The bone is too soft, and it is going everywhere. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
Oh, I could have done more. I refused a lot of ballets. I said, 'No way, no way I'm going to do… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
I never dreamt of becoming a ballerina. I was just curious about it, it was something to explore. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
Dancers are not like movie actresses. People look at our bodies, not our faces. They only recognise me when I sign my… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
Dancers, you know, they have pain everywhere: ankles in the morning, or back or neck or ribs or knees or the muscles.… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
When I watch dance, most of the time I just see a potential that is not there at all. I just see… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
As a professional ballet dancer, I have to accept that weekends are about work. The notion of a leisurely break with all… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
Ballet is hard enough when you go with it; when you have to force your body to do things, it is so… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
The first time I took a plane to dance in front of an audience outside France was when I was in the… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
Most producers who want you to dance are not looking at the long term. They see their evenings, the box office, whom… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
I loved being at the Royal Ballet. Those choreographers, MacMillan and Ashton, they knew how to translate complicated life into choreography. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
At school, either gymnastics or dance, it was the same. It gave me pleasure to move. And then, when I worked to… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
I have learned a great deal from the theatrical side of Covent Garden. The Paris Opera Ballet is more concerned with technique.… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
There are some ballets you can do for a long time. With others, you have to know when to stop. Some are… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
As much as I love my work, I do appreciate my rare days off. Even then, I can't afford to let the… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
I just know that when I go onstage, I give everything I have, not only my feet, not only my legs, not… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
When you do one more 'Cinderella' or whatever, what is there to learn? Every part in the repertoire has a good side… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
Dancers should realise that they are really lucky. Dancing is not a job. It's people who are chosen. And you must realise… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
When I was doing gymnastics, I was playing. It was fun. The ballet was not fun at all. Yes, I agree you… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
Technical perfection is insufficient. It is an orphan without the true soul of the dancer. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
No, dance is not a monster. The stage is monstrous, not in the negative sense but on the grandiose side. And dance… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
I am only interested in being famous for my dancing. For me, the concept of the sacred monster is only about the… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
Dancers are trained to be disciplined to do what they are told, but I knew that time goes by, and I didn't… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
My mother really pushed me when I was young. I didn't want to go to dance classes, but for some reason, when… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share Image
On stage, you can bring all those strong emotions that you don't have the opportunity to live. You don't want to die for love… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
Having limits to push against is how you find out what you can do. I have always been full of contradictions. I am shy… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
I can't have friends in every port. I have to work very hard and be very clear about what I want to do. I… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
Ballet is hard enough when you go with it; when you have to force your body to do things, it is so much harder. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
If you start dancing too young, it can be torture. The bone is too soft, and it is going everywhere. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
Dancers, you know, they have pain everywhere: ankles in the morning, or back or neck or ribs or knees or the muscles. You are… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
If you are afraid of losing something, then you are dependent on it. If you are not afraid, then you are free. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
'Romeo and Juliet,' 'Manon,' 'Giselle' - they are not stupid stories. They have fantastic characters. They have a big package of emotion. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
I loved being at the Royal Ballet. Those choreographers, MacMillan and Ashton, they knew how to translate complicated life into choreography. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
One has to learn to say, 'Wait, there is a pain that is not logical. I will do a scan, and if there is… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
I was afraid when I came to the Royal Ballet that it would be easy to have everyone walking all over me if I… — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
It is in my nature to be a little shy. It takes time for me to talk to people and trust them. — Sylvie Guillem Copy Share
