Misty Copeland

It is so frustrating. I'm constantly having these conversations with my producing partner, with my team, through my production company, as we're constantly trying to prove that dance is such an integral part of every culture and that for some reason it's not valued in the same way that music is or fashion is or food is.

And it's so mind-blowing because, I mean, I could stand in a room and ask how many of you have experienced have danced in your life. Everyone's going to raise their hand. It's a part of our culture. And for some reason, we don't allow ourselves to embody that concept and idea. So I don't know that I have an answer for that or why we try to resist. To me, it's mind-blowing.

And it's so mind-blowing because, I mean, I could stand in a room and ask how many of you have experienced have danced in your life. Everyone's going to raise their hand. It's a part of our culture. And for some reason, we don't allow ourselves to embody that concept and idea. So I don't know that I have an answer for that or why we try to resist. To me, it's mind-blowing.

And the fact that I sit on call after call and pitch after pitch trying to prove to people that you know, everyone dances and wants to see dance. It just has to be done the right way. And I think with an authentic voice behind it.

And the fact that I sit on call after call and pitch after pitch trying to prove to people that you know, everyone dances and wants to see dance. It just has to be done the right way. And I think with an authentic voice behind it.

I definitely read it, but I think I was very young when I read it.

I definitely read it, but I think I was very young when I read it.

Yes, I very much remember this, exactly what you just said. And one thing that I wholeheartedly believe in and stand behind is that the ballet technique is one of the most perfect and beautiful things I've ever experienced. And I don't think that's the issue. And I don't think that that's something that people can't connect with.

Yes, I very much remember this, exactly what you just said. And one thing that I wholeheartedly believe in and stand behind is that the ballet technique is one of the most perfect and beautiful things I've ever experienced. And I don't think that's the issue. And I don't think that that's something that people can't connect with.

it hasn't needed to change in hundreds of years because it's just, I think, perfection. And I'm experiencing it in real time, again, with these young kids that I'm teaching in communities that, like, there's no connection. They don't care about ballet. Their parents are like, what?

it hasn't needed to change in hundreds of years because it's just, I think, perfection. And I'm experiencing it in real time, again, with these young kids that I'm teaching in communities that, like, there's no connection. They don't care about ballet. Their parents are like, what?

And showing them the value of the discipline, the value of the technique, and how it connects to so many things that they do in their lives. And I think it has to be fed to us in the right way.

And showing them the value of the discipline, the value of the technique, and how it connects to so many things that they do in their lives. And I think it has to be fed to us in the right way.

And I think that when it's exclusive and you don't see people that represent a broad range of people and you don't see the real complexity of what a dancer's experience is, but this narrow view, you know, where, again, you're this skinny white girl and you're being tortured and abused and you're having an affair with the choreographer and, you know, all of these tropes and stereotypes. It's like,

And I think that when it's exclusive and you don't see people that represent a broad range of people and you don't see the real complexity of what a dancer's experience is, but this narrow view, you know, where, again, you're this skinny white girl and you're being tortured and abused and you're having an affair with the choreographer and, you know, all of these tropes and stereotypes. It's like,

If we keep that narrow view and we just keep perpetuating it, then no one's going to want to be a part of it. So I truly believe that it's not a dying art form if we handle it with care moving forward.

If we keep that narrow view and we just keep perpetuating it, then no one's going to want to be a part of it. So I truly believe that it's not a dying art form if we handle it with care moving forward.

I hope that... You know, I don't even have hopes. I think that... I don't have hopes and dreams for what's going to happen that night. I think that I'm going to go out there feeling in control of the decision that I've made to do it, the pieces that I'm choosing to dance, the shape that I'm going to be in, because it's like... I only have control over so much.

I hope that... You know, I don't even have hopes. I think that... I don't have hopes and dreams for what's going to happen that night. I think that I'm going to go out there feeling in control of the decision that I've made to do it, the pieces that I'm choosing to dance, the shape that I'm going to be in, because it's like... I only have control over so much.

You know, what's so interesting is that... After I saw you, you know, I had done the shoot in the morning. And it was the first time I've done a shoot without wearing pointe shoes, really. I mean, I've done fashion shoots and things like that, but really like a movement shoot. And I left thinking that wasn't me.