Misty Copeland

I think I get almost every piece of clothing that I buy altered and taken in just to fit me exactly the…

— Misty Copeland

Every time I step onto the stage, it's not only proving to the audience that I'm capable but to myself.

— Misty Copeland

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

It's difficult to exist as a woman, especially I think as a powerful woman. You want to stand strong and you want…

— Misty Copeland

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

The best piece of advice that I remember probably on a daily basis is to accept everything about me that is different.…

— Misty Copeland

When I was younger, my feet would hurt a lot, but you build up calluses and strength, and you don't feel as…

— Misty Copeland

Something happens when you feel that energy and excitement from the audience. And you do, I don't know, four pirouettes. You jump…

— Misty Copeland

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

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

— Misty Copeland

What you put into your body is just as important as how hard you dance. I believe with the right training and…

— Misty Copeland

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

— Misty Copeland

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

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

'The Company' was interesting. I didn't love it, although it might be compelling to someone who isn't a dancer. There wasn't a…

— Misty Copeland

I think I always felt a connection to music and to movement. Growing up, I was surrounded by R&B and Hip-Hop, and…

— Misty Copeland

Without my mentors there is no Misty.

— Misty Copeland

My body is very different from most of the dancers I dance with. My hair is different than most I dance with.…

— Misty Copeland

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

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

To be an artist and to be recognized by another artist who is, you know, just something you can't even put into…

— Misty Copeland

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

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

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

I didn't want to be the best at anything; I just wanted to blend in. And that was kind of my existence…

— Misty Copeland