I ended up training only for four years before I was accepted into American Ballet Theater in New York City. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I want to bring awareness to the lack of diversity in ballet, and feel like that's a large part of my purpose. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Being the only African American at this level in American Ballet Theater, I feel like people are looking at me, and it's… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Ballet was so structured. I'd been craving something that could guide me. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
That something that I fought so hard for throughout the beginning of my career is I didn't want to pancake my skin… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I'm a classical ballet dancer, and at the end of the day I want to be with American Ballet Theater, performing classical… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
My family didn't have very much money, so ballet wasn't even on my radar; I just found it randomly when I was… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
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… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Ballet was exactly what I was searching for, but my environment definitely made me the dancer and the person that I am… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I feel like I represent every young dancer, and even non-dancer, who felt they were not accepted by the ballet world. I'd… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Physical fears change and shift depending on the role and depending on the mindset I'm in. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Ballet became this escape for me. I feel like I was on my own a lot. I was searching for stability, so… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I learned how to communicate and articulate myself from ballet. It's just insane to me, when they don't think of that as… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Hopefully, I'll be a part of ABT, in some way, forever. I think I'll always be a part of ballet and try… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Just as a child, before I ever knew what ballet was, there was something in me where I was always searching for… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
My first ballet class was on a basketball court. I'm in my gym clothes and my socks trying to do this thing… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Some people even think that I'm still just not right for it [ballet]. And I think it's shocking because they hear those… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think that I'm so fortunate to have found classical ballet. It completely changed my life and it shaped the person that… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
It takes a lot of money to be a part of the ballet world. Both the training and the supplies are expensive,… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Ballet was this thing that just felt so innate in me, like I was meant to be doing this. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
There are no taking days off. There are no distractions. If I had that, I physically wouldn't be capable of going onstage… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I traced the marley floor with my pointe shoes, and imagine myself on the stage, not as a member of the corps, but as… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
My first ballet class was on a basketball court. I'm in my gym clothes and my socks trying to do this thing called ballet. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
There are muscles that we have in our feet that most human beings don't even know that we have. The strength that we have… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. And believe that anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
The woman represents ballet. She is most important, powerful and vital to it. Therefore, she is not "less than" a man. If anything she… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
If I'm put in a situation where I am not really sure what's going to happen, it can be overwhelming. I get a bit… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I never experienced getting nervous on stage. I think I was most comfortable there. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
The word "prodigy" was thrown around a lot, but I didn't understand what that meant, or the weight of it. It didn't really mean… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think that the ideal physique and look of a ballerina is always changing with different eras. And it's continuing to change. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character - the perseverance… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
