Finding ballet gave me passion for the first time in my life. I was always very shy and just wanted to fit in; I never daydreamed about what I wanted to be when I grew up. But dancing gave me a connection to my personality that made me grow. Misty Copeland balletconnectiondance share on social
I want the ballet world to be given the respect that it deserves and to be seen by more people - for so many to experience the beauty that I've received from the ballet world. Misty Copeland balletbeautydeserve Change image and share on social
I think body-image issues are not just a dancer thing. I think we're much more in tune and aware because the body is our instrument and art, and we stare at ourselves in a mirror all day, but I feel like it's something that every woman experiences and every girl experiences. Misty Copeland artawarebody share on social
It's all so surreal, and I'm living my dream. And you know, principal or not, I'm getting to dance all the roles that I've dreamed of doing. Misty Copeland dancedreamhave Change image and share on social
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 awarenessballetbring Change image and share on social
I wake up every morning, and I go to ballet class no matter what's going on the night before. That's my priority, and that's what makes me feel sane and not removed from the realities of my world. Misty Copeland balletclassfeel Change image and share on social
Dance kind of was always just a part of my natural state as a child. It's something that, whenever music was playing, I was dancing. Misty Copeland childdancekind Change image and share on social
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 like a lot of the girls around me. Misty Copeland artballerinaeuropean Change image and share on social
Being one of the few African American women to make it to this level in a classical ballet company, the level of American Ballet Theatre, takes a lot of perseverance. Misty Copeland africanamericanballet Change image and share on social
I wanted to open the dialogue about race in ballet and bring more people in. It's just beautiful to see the interest that has exploded for such an incredible art form that I will forever be grateful to! Misty Copeland artballetbeautiful share on social
