![]() Raven Wilkinson was kind of that person who really changed my point of view and perspective on my career and how I wanted to approach it and represent the black dancers in the classical ballet world. Growing up, Paloma Herrera was the ballerina I looked to. Who do you look to for inspiration?Ī: It's definitely shifted and changed throughout my training and the course of my career. Q: You've been an athletic and artistic role model for so many young people. So with the attention I've brought to ballet, I think they're definitely being forced to make some changes. The ballet world is so secluded and lives in this bubble, and it's easy to get away with a lot. ![]() You know - and I constantly say this - even if it's not something that they've ever wanted to do, the world is looking in now. It's definitely forced a lot of ballet companies to address the issue of the lack of diversity. I think the fact that me, a black woman, is what has kind of introduced a lot of people to the ballet world is huge. Is ballet evolving, do you think? Or is it still fairly exclusive?Ī: Yes. Q: Your promotion, in 2015, to principal dancer broke barriers. And I'm lucky to be a small faction of ballet history. That's what I feel my duty is: I'm a vessel. I'm a representation, a window for people to come in and be introduced to the broader world of ballet. I'm happy to be able to represent the ballet. I understand that I'm getting people interested in ballet. Isn't that a lot of pressure?Ī: I take it all with a grain of salt. Q: You've popularized ballet, and it's been suggested you're revitalizing - or "saving," as Jimmy Kimmel once put it - the classical dance world. "The Nutcracker" is the first full-length ballet Copeland appeared in onstage - an experience that she calls "magical." Returning to Southern California is no less so, she said in this edited conversation. Copeland will dance the role of Clara/Princess, in three performances choreographed by ABT artist-in-residence Alexei Ratmansky. The San Pedro native will return home this holiday season to appear in ABT's production of "The Nutcracker" at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. There's even a Misty Copeland Barbie doll.Īs the first African-American woman promoted to principal dancer in the 75-year history of American Ballet Theatre, Copeland had drawn new and younger audiences to dance. LOS ANGELES - Misty Copeland has far-transcended the rarefied world of ballet, appearing as a guest judge on "So You Think You Can Dance," touring with Prince and serving as the face of Estee Lauder's Modern Muse fragrance - not to mention attracting more than 1.5 million Instagram followers.
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