I was 17 when I moved to NYC . I'm now 32. But I do know I can't see myself living anywhere… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
The fact that I was African American was never addressed, and that allowed me to just be a student, like anyone else.… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
What makes people and companies and artistic directors and choreographers interested in working with dancers is the ability to kind of let… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Though I have tremendous support from lots of people, there are so many others waiting to tear me down. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
A lot of people think, "Oh I'm going to eat whatever I want and then go to the gym." And I've definitely… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
How difficult it is to exist, that we are athlete and artist. We have injuries. People don't see the hard side of… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
When you see the body outside of a costume and see the strength that it takes, people would look at dance a… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Everything I was being shown was ABT, so I grew up watching these videos of [Mikhail] Baryshnikov, Gelsey [Kirkland] and Paloma [Herrera].… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
When people meet me in person, they're usually surprised at how petite I am because there's this idea that because I'm black,… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
To have a platform like So You Think You Can Dance, where you're reaching this audience that's been created over the 10… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
The classical ballet world is so exclusive and small, and a lot of people don't know about it. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think that having a platform and having a voice to be seen by people beyond the classical ballet world has really… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think most people think of ballerinas as kind of either as a fairytale, far-away thing that's really not attainable, something they… — 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
Even if I weren't learning new roles and getting the opportunity to be coached by incredible people, I still think I would… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
When people meet me in person, they're usually surprised at how petite I am because there's just [an] idea that because I'm… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Those people that don't see the power in art maybe have never been a part of an art, in a real way.… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Success is not easy and I think everyone should know that hard work and perseverance and being open to giving back are… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I had some really incredible people who mentored me and gave me things I never got from my parents. — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I'm definitely very careful about the things that I want to be a part of, but it's also important for me to… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
Maybe I'm seeing myself in a different way than the people in the audience see me, 'cause to me, I think I… — 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 am a black woman, and my experiences would not be what they are if I wasn't. I'm so happy to share… — Misty Copeland Copy Share Image
I think most people don't really understand all that it takes to stand on your toes, and to be able to jump… — 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
