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
Physical fears change and shift depending on the role and depending on the mindset I'm in. — 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
My career came together very quickly. I only trained for four years before I became a professional, so I didn't have a… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Ballet found me. I was discovered by a teacher in middle school. I always danced, my whole life. I never had any… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
'The Firebird' just symbolizes a lot for me and my career. It was one of the first really big principal roles that… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I want the ballet world to be given the respect that it deserves and to be seen by more people - for… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Finding ballet gave me passion for the first time in my life. I was always very shy and just wanted to fit… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Being one of the few African American women to make it to this level in a classical ballet company, the level of… — 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
Being in ballet class, being on the stage, being surrounded by my peers at American Ballet Theater every day, keeps me so… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
In the ballet studio, it was such an organized and disciplined environment, like I'd never had in my life. Seeing myself in… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think American Ballet Theatre is setting that standard now for classical ballet, that you can dream big, and it doesn't matter… — 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
Going on stage and doing ballet, for the first time, was even more verification of, "This is what I'm meant to do.… — 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… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think all dancers are control freaks a bit. We just want to be in control of ourselves and our bodies. That's… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I wanted to open the dialogue about race in ballet and bring more people in. It's just beautiful to see the interest… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
It's going to take a while before we see a real shift in the students and the dancers that are going into… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
It's hard to change someone's ideas when they might not even really consciously know that they're being racist, or have racist ideas,… — 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 -… — 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
