Misty Copeland

You have to be the one promoting yourself. If you don't think that you're worthy, you're never going to make it.

— Misty Copeland

I was on a path. I was going to become a principal dancer. I never let my mind rest.

— Misty Copeland

I shouldn't even be wearing a tutu. I don't have the right legs, my muscles are too big.

— Misty Copeland

I ended up training only for four years before I was accepted into American Ballet Theater in New York City.

— Misty Copeland

I will push myself in different ventures that I believe will make me a better artist, dancer and person.

— Misty Copeland

Depending on the level you're at in your company, the higher you go up in rank, usually the longer you can dance.

— Misty Copeland

I think I'm pretty laid back. I like cooking, being at home, and going to concerts. And I love to shop!

— Misty Copeland

When I was dancing, I felt in control and happy. I'm a Virgo, so I really like to be in control.

— Misty Copeland

I'm a pescatarian, so I don't eat red meat or pork. So my dinners usually consist of seafood in some way. And…

— Misty Copeland

Different mentors throughout my life have supported and guided me to remember that I do have the strength, courage and talent to…

— Misty Copeland

Success is not easy and I think everyone should know that hard work and perseverance and being open to giving back are…

— Misty Copeland

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

Being in ballet class, being on the stage, being surrounded by my peers at American Ballet Theater every day, keeps me so…

— Misty Copeland

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

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

Ballet became this escape for me. I feel like I was on my own a lot. I was searching for stability, so…

— Misty Copeland

I don't believe in dieting, I don't believe in having certain moments in your life where you're healthy and then moments when…

— Misty Copeland

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

I say over and over again that I am just standing on the shoulders of so many who have set this path…

— Misty Copeland

Once you become a professional, to get through a ballet like 'Swan Lake' - four acts as the lead, changing character -…

— Misty Copeland

A young girl reached out to me to be her mentor one day, which I didn't really know anything about. What I…

— Misty Copeland

I absolutely love what I do. And I want to dance for as long as I can and feel good about what…

— Misty Copeland

I don't think every African-American or Latino have the same body type, but, yes, that's been one of the excuses ... saying…

— Misty Copeland

I know there are a lot of eyes on me now from young girls, and it makes me so proud. The only…

— Misty Copeland

I never experienced getting nervous on stage. I think I was most comfortable there.

— 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

To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold.

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

— Misty Copeland

“Decide what you want. Declare it to the world. See yourself winning. And remember that if you are persistent as well as…

— Misty Copeland

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

It's a European art form, and you're used to seeing a certain type of person as a ballerina. And I don't look…

— Misty Copeland

I do think Under Armour is setting a new example for what a ballerina is, and that you can be feminine and…

— Misty Copeland

Being one of the few African American women to make it to this level in a classical ballet company, the level of…

— Misty Copeland

I want the ballet world to be given the respect that it deserves and to be seen by more people - for…

— 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 don't think a lot of people really understand the commitment it takes to being a character that an actor in Hollywood…

— Misty Copeland

I have the opportunity, which most people don't experience nearly as much, of being in front of a mirror up to 10…

— Misty Copeland

The word "prodigy" was thrown around a lot, but I didn't understand what that meant, or the weight of it. It didn't…

— Misty Copeland

I was aware of my race from a very young age. Not in a negative way. Coming from an interracial background, I…

— Misty Copeland