--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I joined the Ballets Russes when I was…" description: "\"I joined the Ballets Russes when I was 14, and my name was changed twice. I was known as Marie Istomina, then as Felia Siderova. When I went to Hollywo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/cyd-charisse-7227_hollywood_i-joined-the-ballets-russes-when-i-was-1_1502648.jpg" --- # I joined the Ballets Russes when I was 14, and my name was… ![“I joined the Ballets Russes when I was 14, and my name was changed twice. I was known as Marie Istomina, then as Felia Siderova. When I went to Hollywood and made my first movie, 'Mission to Moscow,' in 1943, I became Lily Norwood.” quote by Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/cyd-charisse-7227_hollywood_i-joined-the-ballets-russes-when-i-was-1_1502648.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/cyd-charisse-7227_hollywood_i-joined-the-ballets-russes-when-i-was-1_1502648.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/af3/cyd-charisse-7227_hollywood_i-joined-the-ballets-russes-when-i-was-1_1502648.jpg) > “I joined the Ballets Russes when I was 14, and my name was changed twice. I was known as Marie Istomina, then as Felia Siderova. When I went to Hollywood and made my first movie, 'Mission to Moscow,' in 1943, I became Lily Norwood.” [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A performer’s identity can be reshaped by industry demands, leading to multiple name changes and altered personas throughout a career. **In simple terms:** Changing names shows how the industry reshapes personal identity. Key Takeaway Maintain personal authenticity despite external pressures. Themes identity career Hollywood artistic expression Mood reflective thoughtful Type personal professional When to use this quote - Acting auditions - career transitions - personal branding strategies Key Concepts Name changes cultural assimilation branding Questions to Reflect On - How does a name affect self‑perception? - Can artists preserve identity while adapting? A Different Perspective Frequent name changes may cause loss of personal continuity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Joined Ballets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joined-ballets-5513132/) [Known Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known-marie-2679624/) [Lily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lily/) [Lily Norwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lily-norwood-5513133/) [Mission](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mission/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [Name](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/name/) [Siderova Went](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/siderova-went-5513134/) [Went Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/went-hollywood-896191/) ## Related quotes > [I'll always be best known as Marie Osmond, but in my checking account and at home, I will gladly be Marie Craig.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-osmond/i-ll-always-be-best-known-as-marie-osmond-but-in-my-checking-account/) [Marie Osmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-osmond/) > [I followed my dreams and went to Hollywood. My mom was like, 'Wait a minute - I thought you were going to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nafessa-williams/i-followed-my-dreams-and-went-to-hollywood-my-mom-was-like-wait-a/) [Nafessa Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nafessa-williams/) > [A few nights ago I went to a Hollywood screening of a small independent film made by Sally Kirkland, an old friend of mine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-mancuso/a-few-nights-ago-i-went-to-a-hollywood-screening-of-a-small/) [Nick Mancuso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-mancuso/) > [Eddie waited 'til he finished high school, he went to Hollywood, got a tattoo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-petty/eddie-waited-til-he-finished-high-school-he-went-to-hollywood-got-a/) [Tom Petty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-petty/) > [I never 'went Hollywood.' Perhaps some of my behavior was detrimental to my career, but I couldn't go the route of Hollywood parties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-ameche/i-never-went-hollywood-perhaps-some-of-my-behavior-was-detrimental-to/) [Don Ameche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-ameche/) > [This is a terrible confession to make, but after I left the Army I had a number of things to try. I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-niven/this-is-a-terrible-confession-to-make-but-after-i-left-the-army-i-had/) [David Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-niven/) > [I went by myself to Hollywood, I spoke no English, every day I had to go to school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/i-went-by-myself-to-hollywood-i-spoke-no-english-every-day-i-had-to/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [I went to Hollywood to test for Martha Ivers and I thought I was going to play the part that Van Heflin played.But they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-douglas/i-went-to-hollywood-to-test-for-martha-ivers-and-i-thought-i-was/) [Kirk Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-douglas/) > [He convinced me - Fred Freeman - to go to Hollywood and we went to Hollywood to write sitcoms. Joey Bishop actually paid my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-marshall/he-convinced-me-fred-freeman-to-go-to-hollywood-and-we-went-to/) [Garry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-marshall/) > [When I went to Hollywood, I had to work out in a gym. The idea was that I should look like Daniel Craig, though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-moore/when-i-went-to-hollywood-i-had-to-work-out-in-a-gym-the-idea-was-that/) [Roger Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-moore/) > [The first time I went to Hollywood, I was 25 years old. My background was mostly Italian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabella-rossellini/the-first-time-i-went-to-hollywood-i-was-25-years-old-my-background/) [Isabella Rossellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabella-rossellini/) > [I never went to any of the Hollywood child parties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shiri-appleby/i-never-went-to-any-of-the-hollywood-child-parties/) [Shiri Appleby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shiri-appleby/) > [I didn't go Hollywood on the outside with flashy cars, upstairs maids and mink covered bathroom fixtures. I went Hollywood on the inside--and that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-caulfield/i-didn-t-go-hollywood-on-the-outside-with-flashy-cars-upstairs-maids/) [Joan Caulfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-caulfield/) > [I remember in Indonesia, there was this actor in a film that got pretty big internationally, and he went to Hollywood. Seeing an Indonesian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-brian/i-remember-in-indonesia-there-was-this-actor-in-a-film-that-got/) [Rich Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-brian/) > [I didn't go Hollywood on the outside with flashy cars, upstairs maids and mink covered bathroom fixtures. I went Hollywood on the inside and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-caulfield/i-didn-t-go-hollywood-on-the-outside-with-flashy-cars-upstairs-maids-2/) [Joan Caulfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-caulfield/) ## More by Cyd Charisse > [I think, however, that Astaire's coordination is better than Kelly's... his sense of rhythm is uncanny. Kelly, on the other hand, is the stronger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/i-think-however-that-astaire-s-coordination-is-better-than-kelly-s/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [The music changed. We had Irving Berlin and Gershwin and Lerner and Loewe and Cole Porter. Great music. Now we have 'Rent.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/the-music-changed-we-had-irving-berlin-and-gershwin-and-lerner-and/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [Well, I don't like hats, never wear 'em.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/well-i-don-t-like-hats-never-wear-em/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [People who think they're making a fool of themselves on the dance floor usually do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/people-who-think-they-re-making-a-fool-of-themselves-on-the-dance/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [I dance every day and my legs are in good shape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/i-dance-every-day-and-my-legs-are-in-good-shape/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [Unless you have the right legs, these mini-skirts are ungainly and uncomfortable. They're just a fad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/unless-you-have-the-right-legs-these-mini-skirts-are-ungainly-and/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [Everybody can learn to dance. If they can walk, they can dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/everybody-can-learn-to-dance-if-they-can-walk-they-can-dance/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [I'm a dancer and when I walk off stage there isn't a dry spot on me. This means my hair has to be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/i-m-a-dancer-and-when-i-walk-off-stage-there-isn-t-a-dry-spot-on-me/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [The Roman goddess Diana, you know, is usually shown with a bow and arrow. Every first-year Latin student knows that. I still remember the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/the-roman-goddess-diana-you-know-is-usually-shown-with-a-bow-and/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [I'll stay with movies as long as they keep me in Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/i-ll-stay-with-movies-as-long-as-they-keep-me-in-hollywood/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [To make a man happy, treat him like a dog - plenty of affection and a loose leash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/to-make-a-man-happy-treat-him-like-a-dog-plenty-of-affection-and-a/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [I danced with the Ballet Russe in Paris when I was 16 and did not need a companion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/i-danced-with-the-ballet-russe-in-paris-when-i-was-16-and-did-not/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [I have never been extroverted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/i-have-never-been-extroverted/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [When I dance, people are watching for a slight mistake. I don't want them to see any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/when-i-dance-people-are-watching-for-a-slight-mistake-i-don-t-want/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) > [If I have any strength as a dancer, I got it all from Nijinska. Her barre was tough, and there were very difficult combinations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyd-charisse/if-i-have-any-strength-as-a-dancer-i-got-it-all-from-nijinska-her/) [Cyd Charisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) [Explore all 93 Cyd Charisse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyd-charisse/) ## More Hollywood quotes > [Hollywood is very much an industry town. Your life becomes caught up in all of the parties and this list and that list. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-johnson/hollywood-is-very-much-an-industry-town-your-life-becomes-caught-up/) [Don Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-johnson/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [In the movie, the stars above the ship bear no correspondence to any constellations in a real sky. Worse yet, while the heroine bobs...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/in-the-movie-the-stars-above-the-ship-bear-no-correspondence-to-any/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [“Artist Matthew Barney has made a film about “shit”. It is hardly original. Hollywood has made shit films for decades.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-cavanagh/artist-matthew-barney-has-made-a-film-about-shit-it-is-hardly/) [Dean Cavanagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-cavanagh/) > [If you can believe it, Hollywood wanted to change my birthdate. I was born after Valentine's Day, so they wanted to change it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-romero/if-you-can-believe-it-hollywood-wanted-to-change-my-birthdate-i-was/) [Cesar Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-romero/) > [In a lot of movies, African-Americans are either maids or slaves, but that's not all they were. We need to show that. And we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-schroeder/in-a-lot-of-movies-african-americans-are-either-maids-or-slaves-but/) [Allison Schroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-schroeder/) > [“I'm always looking for evidence to support my conjecture that celebrity in Hollywood is sort of like a Joel Peter Witkin photograph: It looks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cintra-wilson/i-m-always-looking-for-evidence-to-support-my-conjecture-that/) [Cintra Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cintra-wilson/) > [I came to Hollywood to be a movie song-and-dance man just at the time those films were going out of style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-berry/i-came-to-hollywood-to-be-a-movie-song-and-dance-man-just-at-the-time/) [Ken Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-berry/) > [Writing is the life blood of everything in Hollywood. Without writers, there are no scripts, no acting work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-wong/writing-is-the-life-blood-of-everything-in-hollywood-without-writers/) [Ali Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-wong/) > [Popular culture as a whole is popular, but in today's fragmented market it's a jostle of competing unpopular popular cultures. As the critic Stanley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-steyn/popular-culture-as-a-whole-is-popular-but-in-today-s-fragmented/) [Mark Steyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-steyn/) > [Hollywood regency never goes out of style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-spencer/hollywood-regency-never-goes-out-of-style/) [Lara Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-spencer/) > [Washington is a Hollywood for ugly people. Hollywood is a Washington for the simpleminded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/washington-is-a-hollywood-for-ugly-people-hollywood-is-a-washington/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [What is accurately portrayed is the rich humanity not just of Martin Luther King but of the movement, which was a multiracial movement. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/what-is-accurately-portrayed-is-the-rich-humanity-not-just-of-martin/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) [Browse all 4,991 Hollywood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I joined the Ballets Russes when I was 14, and my name was changed twice. I was known as Marie Istomina, then as Felia Siderova. 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