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P{h'ws~[E@"0hR?π>{:6оhl٭m.x;rhTX:y†ΨpF~QoxЄ=4DZL~5ѼK eoeÕ>,R꾙 p< h}7|:&b&;ۇћR^3%7ޝb [Q5S483ǯ޲:VB}W jM1kxވM6H:^REԥdch#H? sZ.N6B3߶#1j|L.Si %"~hSK ҕ3(g!>ϾΨelT`~fR=&R:eY^Ό1UNtrԢez>T/W\C`;$>K=&"F:0Jt T]'ijԖ.8toLJk)iݛw=:& FM@3wdg4~35~I4TG.E[kAr˰+$t~y`ro¢$U/`n: uN|L @;'OGBKhQ/75m"vP:1xPcVvjKvƊ|7j~G1m{+JD/w8Ay@^lv>R{y짴*i7eس]JiSQ1,34 1)Ly++\U^OSc5 l,5z'hvѦM-0D"whJEsZɓF7)hFD`KUIQ{m_>|-Eo_~*gNm$Ƈ0i,"jĝ?]-y*&m *3uՄx@_'wc56z8w>Vs]87G^֪͊3YTKp,͐^xʲBjA6"#1 ڼSvi+vQվ{جLI› 0PQjW)$+N_XN"ťOOf&(y WtЖL[EȡYLGh)rU>z$dj.ȳ# Y@E=MD lAyM-wc}}wZ!Hâ֎xt[3EdpIaj,8;'Kճ$n̹W_FL%^mEwÊ͢0 n.c; ,7 <*bFqaRtFٸ'ʁzΊޞ~wڵ.c!~xw4,MUv*^5~* s 3y#mzo)4oPygAibDvN:=DC"5C37-`˺|螨An㒧W˷_lM<+\,8}.fb跻~J98*.z7uq4PO]"n`/h]I]y#Hd/4 ]w.'dlj g4sCjCn?:ԷCsx~O OLxOS\"͗Yq˞>_, +q-́Rdpٝ#AΨ=}#3kIOR:~6hҼ5Zv"*v)fD} qzո)wBn-m' lV\2i4O^M(<0. Qѐsr1k p*)@#+3`ƻk ?9rrXn>,rAA,Vhy A2 TS牗)~M{7,D ~SPp,4-ER#<7]ތnŰ{dO6I()G f 5{|%;ӸYe9 00:10:55,945 but before your contract starts, 111 00:10:55,946 --> 00:10:57,947 we would like for you to come on tour 112 00:10:57,948 --> 00:11:00,867 with the main company for two weeks in China. 113 00:11:00,868 --> 00:11:03,620 And that was just, like, "Oh, my God." 114 00:11:03,621 --> 00:11:04,913 Like, "It's happening." 115 00:11:04,914 --> 00:11:07,332 It's like seeing the turning point in a movie, 116 00:11:07,333 --> 00:11:08,917 and it's happening to me right now. 117 00:11:08,918 --> 00:11:11,294 On that trip to China, I think it was in New York, 118 00:11:11,295 --> 00:11:13,171 like, right before we left, 119 00:11:13,172 --> 00:11:15,548 that I met Leyla, my best friend. 120 00:11:15,549 --> 00:11:17,801 So right away, we clicked, and we got along, 121 00:11:17,802 --> 00:11:19,594 and we were rooming together, 122 00:11:19,595 --> 00:11:21,721 and we became the best of friends. 123 00:11:21,722 --> 00:11:23,139 We just did everything together, 124 00:11:23,140 --> 00:11:25,141 and we kind of had, like, this camaraderie. 125 00:11:25,142 --> 00:11:29,229 We would take trips to Red Lobster in Brooklyn, 126 00:11:29,230 --> 00:11:31,648 'cause at the time, they didn't have one in Times Square. 127 00:11:31,649 --> 00:11:35,527 We would get on the train and travel 128 00:11:35,528 --> 00:11:36,820 to go to some Red Lobster, 129 00:11:36,821 --> 00:11:39,364 and sometimes, if Red Lobster was closed, 130 00:11:39,365 --> 00:11:41,074 we'd go to Sizzler 131 00:11:41,075 --> 00:11:42,617 that was, like, next door. 132 00:11:42,618 --> 00:11:44,411 We... I don't know what it was, 133 00:11:44,412 --> 00:11:45,912 but, like, we... 134 00:11:45,913 --> 00:11:47,539 We loved it. 135 00:11:49,083 --> 00:11:51,501 And then when that Red Lobster opened up in Times Square, 136 00:11:51,502 --> 00:11:52,919 we were like, "Yes!" 137 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:54,504 When you're in your adolescence 138 00:11:54,505 --> 00:11:56,506 and you're dancing, you don't get to experience 139 00:11:56,507 --> 00:11:58,633 what normal kids get to experience. 140 00:11:58,634 --> 00:12:00,427 You don't date. You don't go to parties. 141 00:12:00,428 --> 00:12:02,137 You don't... you don't hang out. 142 00:12:02,138 --> 00:12:03,304 As soon as school is over, 143 00:12:03,305 --> 00:12:04,889 you're going straight to practice 144 00:12:04,890 --> 00:12:07,434 and to dance class. 145 00:12:07,435 --> 00:12:10,520 That was around the time that I first was being told 146 00:12:10,521 --> 00:12:12,439 to lose weight by ABT, 147 00:12:12,440 --> 00:12:14,607 and I had no idea how to handle that. 148 00:12:14,608 --> 00:12:17,861 I mean, I never had to watch what I ate. 149 00:12:17,862 --> 00:12:20,280 Like, I had no idea how to take care of my body. 150 00:12:20,281 --> 00:12:22,198 It was just naturally the way it was, 151 00:12:22,199 --> 00:12:24,451 and it worked for ballet until I hit puberty, 152 00:12:24,452 --> 00:12:25,618 and then it all changed. 153 00:12:32,376 --> 00:12:36,045 The skinny ideal that a lot of contemporary audiences 154 00:12:36,046 --> 00:12:38,131 associate with ballet today 155 00:12:38,132 --> 00:12:40,633 is strictly a modern phenomenon, 156 00:12:40,634 --> 00:12:44,179 and it can actually be dated to 1963, 157 00:12:44,180 --> 00:12:48,349 when George Balanchine was able to start creating 158 00:12:48,350 --> 00:12:50,268 the ballet and the ballerina 159 00:12:50,269 --> 00:12:51,978 according to a vision he had, 160 00:12:51,979 --> 00:12:54,355 an ideal vision he had, of a dancer. 161 00:12:54,356 --> 00:12:58,777 Post Balanchine, you get these very emaciated body types, 162 00:12:58,778 --> 00:13:01,780 and you get no longer a woman on the stage. 163 00:13:01,781 --> 00:13:04,407 You get these prepubescent girls... 164 00:13:04,408 --> 00:13:07,702 flat-chested, 165 00:13:07,703 --> 00:13:09,329 you know, encouraged not to eat 166 00:13:09,330 --> 00:13:12,040 to the point of not being able to menstruate... 167 00:13:12,041 --> 00:13:16,002 and, you know, that has created a huge, 168 00:13:16,003 --> 00:13:18,880 I think, problem in ballet. 169 00:13:18,881 --> 00:13:21,883 It literally has killed ballerinas 170 00:13:21,884 --> 00:13:26,179 and actually doesn't need to exist at all. 171 00:13:51,580 --> 00:13:53,706 It all kind of hit me at once: 172 00:13:53,707 --> 00:13:54,999 moving to New York, 173 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:58,169 realizing I was the only African-American woman 174 00:13:58,170 --> 00:14:00,922 in a company of 80 dancers. 175 00:14:00,923 --> 00:14:04,133 I felt like I was sinking for a while. 176 00:14:04,134 --> 00:14:08,805 I felt alone in a world that had become my home, 177 00:14:08,806 --> 00:14:11,015 and it gave me mixed feelings. 178 00:14:19,275 --> 00:14:20,775 I was coming home at night 179 00:14:20,776 --> 00:14:23,236 and just feeling so bad about myself, 180 00:14:23,237 --> 00:14:25,196 and I would call Krispy Kreme, 181 00:14:25,197 --> 00:14:29,325 and they told me they only delivered to... 182 00:14:29,326 --> 00:14:31,369 to, like, big corporations, so I was like, 183 00:14:31,370 --> 00:14:33,371 "Okay, yeah, I'm a corporation. 184 00:14:33,372 --> 00:14:35,206 Can I have two dozen doughnuts?" 185 00:14:35,207 --> 00:14:37,458 And they'd drop them off, and I would eat 186 00:14:37,459 --> 00:14:39,294 a dozen doughnuts in one sitting. 187 00:14:39,295 --> 00:14:42,672 I was overeating because I felt 188 00:14:42,673 --> 00:14:44,674 so bad about myself. 189 00:14:46,176 --> 00:14:49,262 I just started this pattern of, like, feeling so ashamed 190 00:14:49,263 --> 00:14:51,347 that I didn't even want to come to class in the morning. 191 00:14:51,348 --> 00:14:53,516 I didn't want to stare at myself in the mirror. 192 00:15:04,904 --> 00:15:07,322 I first became aware of Misty Copeland 193 00:15:07,323 --> 00:15:10,658 when she joined the company, the corps, 194 00:15:10,659 --> 00:15:12,535 and I would see her in performances, 195 00:15:12,536 --> 00:15:14,412 and she always stood out. 196 00:15:14,413 --> 00:15:18,750 She had what you can't teach and you can't learn. 197 00:15:18,751 --> 00:15:22,378 She had stage presence, and she had a fire 198 00:15:22,379 --> 00:15:24,714 that the other corps-ians did not. 199 00:15:24,715 --> 00:15:27,091 Kevin McKenzie, the artistic director of ABT, 200 00:15:27,092 --> 00:15:28,718 had said to me from the very beginning 201 00:15:28,719 --> 00:15:32,180 when I first mentioned how much I admired Misty 202 00:15:32,181 --> 00:15:35,350 that he felt she had the talent to go the distance 203 00:15:35,351 --> 00:15:36,517 and to go all the way. 204 00:15:36,518 --> 00:15:39,187 The executive director said to me, 205 00:15:39,188 --> 00:15:41,105 "But there's an issue. 206 00:15:41,106 --> 00:15:43,608 "We feel that she has all this promise, 207 00:15:43,609 --> 00:15:46,194 "but she lacks a bit of focus. 208 00:15:46,195 --> 00:15:48,112 "And everybody adores her, 209 00:15:48,113 --> 00:15:51,240 but she is doing some things that stand in her own way." 210 00:15:51,241 --> 00:15:52,951 They did something unprecedented, 211 00:15:52,952 --> 00:15:54,494 which is, they said to me, 212 00:15:54,495 --> 00:15:57,413 "Would you please take her under your wing? 213 00:15:57,414 --> 00:15:59,666 "We would like you to spend time with her. 214 00:15:59,667 --> 00:16:03,211 "We would like you to become her confidante... 215 00:16:03,212 --> 00:16:04,796 "or her consigliere, rather, 216 00:16:04,797 --> 00:16:07,715 "because we feel she's got everything that it takes, 217 00:16:07,716 --> 00:16:12,011 "and she just needs that older woman who can help her." 218 00:16:12,012 --> 00:16:14,973 I began introducing her to women I knew 219 00:16:14,974 --> 00:16:17,392 who had been the first... 220 00:16:17,393 --> 00:16:19,102 whether it was Diahann Carroll 221 00:16:19,103 --> 00:16:22,105 or Veronica Webb, who was the first black model 222 00:16:22,106 --> 00:16:24,399 to have her own cosmetics contract... 223 00:16:24,400 --> 00:16:27,694 women who had blazed trails, to help her understand 224 00:16:27,695 --> 00:16:29,612 that she had the same potential, 225 00:16:29,613 --> 00:16:34,158 to give her a kind of kitchen cabinet of women 226 00:16:34,159 --> 00:16:36,786 who could help her face these hurdles, 227 00:16:36,787 --> 00:16:40,289 because as much as she was beloved in the company 228 00:16:40,290 --> 00:16:42,291 and she was everybody's Misty, 229 00:16:42,292 --> 00:16:44,168 she felt very alone, 230 00:16:44,169 --> 00:16:48,214 and she felt a lot of self-doubt. 231 00:16:48,215 --> 00:16:51,092 And as we began this process 232 00:16:51,093 --> 00:16:53,177 and we were having all our discussions 233 00:16:53,178 --> 00:16:55,596 at ABT about diversity, 234 00:16:55,597 --> 00:16:57,390 one of the things I had said was, 235 00:16:57,391 --> 00:16:58,683 "It's only a matter of time 236 00:16:58,684 --> 00:17:01,728 "before a very ugly article hits the papers 237 00:17:01,729 --> 00:17:04,272 "about the lack of diversity in ballet, 238 00:17:04,273 --> 00:17:05,773 "because it's going to be noticed, 239 00:17:05,774 --> 00:17:07,108 "and we're in the new millennium. 240 00:17:07,109 --> 00:17:09,986 "We're not in 1952, and we still look like 241 00:17:09,987 --> 00:17:12,488 the Alabama country club in 1952." 242 00:17:12,489 --> 00:17:14,032 Sure enough, in the spring, 243 00:17:14,033 --> 00:17:15,950 an article was done, saying, 244 00:17:15,951 --> 00:17:17,493 "Where are the black ballerinas?" 245 00:17:17,494 --> 00:17:21,539 And it was the front page of the Arts & Leisure section. 246 00:17:21,540 --> 00:17:23,458 New York City Ballet was lambasted, 247 00:17:23,459 --> 00:17:25,376 and we were lambasted, 248 00:17:25,377 --> 00:17:28,046 and Misty called me crying. 249 00:17:28,047 --> 00:17:30,173 She was crying, and she was saying, 250 00:17:30,174 --> 00:17:31,257 "I look at this, and I think, 251 00:17:31,258 --> 00:17:33,051 '"Why am I even bothering? 252 00:17:33,052 --> 00:17:34,343 '"Why am I doing what I'm doing? 253 00:17:34,344 --> 00:17:35,636 There's no hope."' 254 00:17:48,150 --> 00:17:51,277 I can tell you that I have been writing about this idea 255 00:17:51,278 --> 00:17:55,323 of the color of ballet since at least the late '80s. 256 00:17:55,324 --> 00:17:57,366 In fact, I have a story from 1990 257 00:17:57,367 --> 00:17:59,494 I just kind of refreshed myself with, 258 00:17:59,495 --> 00:18:02,371 just to see what has changed, what has stayed the same. 259 00:18:02,372 --> 00:18:05,166 And I would say that unfortunately, 260 00:18:05,167 --> 00:18:06,876 a lot has stayed the same. 261 00:18:06,877 --> 00:18:09,837 It is still a ballet blanc, so to speak, you know? 262 00:18:09,838 --> 00:18:15,176 It's very difficult to see people of color 263 00:18:15,177 --> 00:18:19,180 adopt major roles in the classical repertoire. 264 00:18:28,273 --> 00:18:30,733 And tombé pas de bourrée with arms, 265 00:18:30,734 --> 00:18:34,487 and up, relevé, piqué through. 266 00:18:34,488 --> 00:18:36,322 The color of the skin is obviously 267 00:18:36,323 --> 00:18:38,783 a very important aspect 268 00:18:38,784 --> 00:18:41,953 that is kind of taboo. 269 00:18:41,954 --> 00:18:42,954 It's about casting. 270 00:18:42,955 --> 00:18:45,998 Can you be soft and lovely, or do you have to be... 271 00:18:45,999 --> 00:18:48,042 Strong and sexy? 272 00:18:48,043 --> 00:18:51,587 You would make a black dancer just that sexual, 273 00:18:51,588 --> 00:18:54,132 you know, vivacious dancer, 274 00:18:54,133 --> 00:18:55,633 but there's also other roles that 275 00:18:55,634 --> 00:18:58,344 you growing up as a little girl watching "Giselle" 276 00:18:58,345 --> 00:19:01,514 or watching these more ethereal ballerinas, 277 00:19:01,515 --> 00:19:03,975 which you can do, but the color of your skin, 278 00:19:03,976 --> 00:19:06,769 they tend to not let you do those ballets. 279 00:19:06,770 --> 00:19:07,770 And plié. 280 00:19:07,771 --> 00:19:11,440 Don't change and change. 281 00:19:11,441 --> 00:19:12,942 One, two, three, fifth. 282 00:19:12,943 --> 00:19:14,443 Chassé through. 283 00:19:14,444 --> 00:19:15,653 That's it. 284 00:19:15,654 --> 00:19:16,779 Classical ballet is all 285 00:19:16,780 --> 00:19:19,282 based on these fairy-tale stories 286 00:19:19,283 --> 00:19:20,867 many... in many times. 287 00:19:20,868 --> 00:19:24,453 And so if you don't see a black dancer 288 00:19:24,454 --> 00:19:25,705 or a more stocky dancer 289 00:19:25,706 --> 00:19:28,291 as someone who looks like a fairy, 290 00:19:28,292 --> 00:19:31,002 then you're not going to be casted in that role, 291 00:19:31,003 --> 00:19:32,003 which is like, 292 00:19:32,004 --> 00:19:33,629 "Well, who defines what a fairly looks like? 293 00:19:33,630 --> 00:19:34,839 Isn't it a mythical creature?" 294 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:37,049 I wouldn't go in the sun when I was little. 295 00:19:37,050 --> 00:19:39,093 I... when I was dancing, I was, "No sun. 296 00:19:39,094 --> 00:19:40,720 "You can't get... you can't get any sun, 297 00:19:40,721 --> 00:19:42,096 'cause you have to be as pale as possible." 298 00:19:42,097 --> 00:19:45,224 Like, that was... that paleness is so... 299 00:19:45,225 --> 00:19:46,434 was such a big thing. 300 00:19:46,435 --> 00:19:49,854 The aesthetic of the body is so important in ballet, 301 00:19:49,855 --> 00:19:52,231 and there's... you know, I think George Balanchine... 302 00:19:52,232 --> 00:19:54,108 and forgive me if I'm, you know, not... 303 00:19:54,109 --> 00:19:57,445 I'm not gonna quote him, but I believe George Balanchine 304 00:19:57,446 --> 00:19:59,864 said something to the effect of, 305 00:19:59,865 --> 00:20:01,073 "You know, the skin of a dancer 306 00:20:01,074 --> 00:20:03,951 should be that of a freshly peeled apple," 307 00:20:03,952 --> 00:20:05,828 and I'm not that. 308 00:20:05,829 --> 00:20:08,873 I turn more into, you know... 309 00:20:08,874 --> 00:20:13,294 I'm the shade of a chestnut come summertime. 310 00:20:13,295 --> 00:20:17,632 So we got to figure this out. 311 00:20:17,633 --> 00:20:21,177 Every dancer that goes through the process 312 00:20:21,178 --> 00:20:23,763 the way I did, through the school, 313 00:20:23,764 --> 00:20:27,225 through the company, you audition, 314 00:20:27,226 --> 00:20:30,186 you're a snowflake for "Nutcracker," 315 00:20:30,187 --> 00:20:34,023 and you... you're selected 316 00:20:34,024 --> 00:20:35,399 after you do a season of "Nutcracker," 317 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:36,859 and then you get into the company. 318 00:20:36,860 --> 00:20:38,694 In my case, that was not the case. 319 00:20:38,695 --> 00:20:39,695 I saw my friends... 320 00:20:39,696 --> 00:20:42,031 It was like my car was going five miles an hour 321 00:20:42,032 --> 00:20:45,409 and everyone else was going, you know, 75. 322 00:20:45,410 --> 00:20:49,455 And I saw my friends just getting into... 323 00:20:49,456 --> 00:20:51,540 into the company, you know? 324 00:20:51,541 --> 00:20:53,042 They were all snowflakes, 325 00:20:53,043 --> 00:20:57,088 and I was sitting on the sidelines melting... 326 00:20:57,089 --> 00:21:00,883 my spirit melting, my esteem melting. 327 00:21:00,884 --> 00:21:03,928 I had done all this hard work, and why wasn't I a snowflake? 328 00:21:10,435 --> 00:21:12,728 I look upon ballet the way I look upon 329 00:21:12,729 --> 00:21:14,188 the symphony orchestra. 330 00:21:14,189 --> 00:21:17,191 They are some of the last bastions 331 00:21:17,192 --> 00:21:19,986 of white supremacy. 332 00:21:19,987 --> 00:21:21,320 And what's interesting is, 333 00:21:21,321 --> 00:21:23,572 if you would talk to these artistic directors 334 00:21:23,573 --> 00:21:25,116 of these ballet companies 335 00:21:25,117 --> 00:21:26,450 or the conductors of the... 336 00:21:26,451 --> 00:21:28,160 they... they don't know. 337 00:21:28,161 --> 00:21:29,161 That's the problem. 338 00:21:29,162 --> 00:21:32,206 They don't realize that they are 339 00:21:32,207 --> 00:21:34,208 at the service of... 340 00:21:34,209 --> 00:21:36,294 they are the lackeys of racism. 341 00:21:37,754 --> 00:21:39,672 I feel like a lot of the time, 342 00:21:39,673 --> 00:21:43,592 what I'm being judged on is my aesthetic, 343 00:21:43,593 --> 00:21:48,222 and it may not be said, but I feel like I just... 344 00:21:48,223 --> 00:21:49,432 a lot of the time, I don't think 345 00:21:49,433 --> 00:21:52,184 that the classical ballet world will ever accept me 346 00:21:52,185 --> 00:21:53,894 because I'm something different. 347 00:21:59,318 --> 00:22:01,277 What you're looking for in ballet 348 00:22:01,278 --> 00:22:07,074 is assimilation and uniformity, okay? 349 00:22:07,075 --> 00:22:10,411 Even for a soloist who's doing a solo, 350 00:22:10,412 --> 00:22:12,663 I mean, it's kind of still in this uniform. 351 00:22:12,664 --> 00:22:14,165 It's not... I hate to say it, 352 00:22:14,166 --> 00:22:15,291 but I don't feel like ballet, 353 00:22:15,292 --> 00:22:16,709 even with the best of choreography, 354 00:22:16,710 --> 00:22:19,211 is so much about individual creativity 355 00:22:19,212 --> 00:22:21,630 or showing the individual. 356 00:22:21,631 --> 00:22:24,300 That's an issue for black ballerinas 357 00:22:24,301 --> 00:22:26,635 in terms of, like, fitting into the mold, 358 00:22:26,636 --> 00:22:28,304 you know, fitting into the box. 359 00:22:34,519 --> 00:22:37,313 I think that people do make judgment 360 00:22:37,314 --> 00:22:39,148 based on, maybe, something they're not even 361 00:22:39,149 --> 00:22:40,816 consciously aware of, 362 00:22:40,817 --> 00:22:42,610 and it may be the fact that I'm black. 363 00:22:42,611 --> 00:22:44,528 It may be the fact that I have a large chest. 364 00:22:44,529 --> 00:22:46,822 It may be the fact that I'm muscular. 365 00:22:46,823 --> 00:22:51,035 They're reaching for change in the classical ballet world 366 00:22:51,036 --> 00:22:53,120 because they think the art form is dying, 367 00:22:53,121 --> 00:22:56,624 but if there isn't change, how can it continue and grow? 368 00:22:56,625 --> 00:22:59,585 I think there has to be change happening. 369 00:23:22,567 --> 00:23:25,778 Just over the course of a couple of years, 370 00:23:25,779 --> 00:23:28,864 there began to be a change. 371 00:23:31,076 --> 00:23:32,660 Kevin McKenzie said to me, 372 00:23:32,661 --> 00:23:35,079 "She's carrying herself differently. 373 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:36,956 She is never late." 374 00:23:36,957 --> 00:23:38,582 A focus happened. 375 00:23:44,214 --> 00:23:47,967 When she realized that she could represent 376 00:23:47,968 --> 00:23:49,802 something even bigger, 377 00:23:49,803 --> 00:23:51,637 not just a talented dancer 378 00:23:51,638 --> 00:23:54,473 who happened to be African-American 379 00:23:54,474 --> 00:23:58,102 but a talented dancer who... you can be like this too. 380 00:23:58,103 --> 00:24:00,855 Like, it's okay for you to do ballet. 381 00:24:00,856 --> 00:24:02,106 It can be cool. 382 00:24:02,107 --> 00:24:04,608 Your body type isn't going to hold you back. 383 00:24:04,609 --> 00:24:06,277 You can still become this beautiful dancer. 384 00:24:06,278 --> 00:24:07,611 I think when she realized 385 00:24:07,612 --> 00:24:09,738 that she had that opportunity to do that, 386 00:24:09,739 --> 00:24:12,116 it became less about just herself 387 00:24:12,117 --> 00:24:14,493 and more about what she can do to change the world. 388 00:24:19,249 --> 00:24:21,417 There's a private moment that's my favorite moment, 389 00:24:21,418 --> 00:24:24,837 which is the day she called me to say 390 00:24:24,838 --> 00:24:26,547 that she had been promoted, 391 00:24:26,548 --> 00:24:29,300 and we were both just crying on the phone, 392 00:24:29,301 --> 00:24:31,302 because there it was. 393 00:27:36,946 --> 00:27:38,989 When she first called me and told me, 394 00:27:38,990 --> 00:27:41,075 "Oh, my God, I'm gonna be the Firebird," 395 00:27:41,076 --> 00:27:43,243 now, again, I'm not the ballet expert, 396 00:27:43,244 --> 00:27:44,828 so I don't know what "The Firebird" is. 397 00:27:44,829 --> 00:27:46,955 So Raven Wilkinson, who I'm sure she's told you, 398 00:27:46,956 --> 00:27:47,956 the legendary ballerina... 399 00:27:47,957 --> 00:27:48,957 I called Raven, 400 00:27:48,958 --> 00:27:51,418 because Raven's my history monitor, 401 00:27:51,419 --> 00:27:53,712 and I said, "Do you know if a black woman 402 00:27:53,713 --> 00:27:56,382 has ever performed 'Firebird'... the Firebird?" 403 00:27:56,383 --> 00:27:58,175 And she said, "Well, yeah, Dance Theatre of Harlem." 404 00:27:58,176 --> 00:27:59,677 I said, "No, no, at one of the majors, 405 00:27:59,678 --> 00:28:01,970 like City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre?" 406 00:28:01,971 --> 00:28:02,971 And she said, "No." 407 00:28:02,972 --> 00:28:04,264 I said, "Well, guess what. 408 00:28:04,265 --> 00:28:06,141 "You got to buy a ticket when they go on sale, 409 00:28:06,142 --> 00:28:07,434 because Misty is gonna be the Firebird," 410 00:28:07,435 --> 00:28:09,019 and she said, "Which one?" 411 00:28:09,020 --> 00:28:10,396 She said, "Which one?" 412 00:28:10,397 --> 00:28:11,730 And I said, "No, the Firebird." 413 00:28:11,731 --> 00:28:13,857 She said, the Firebird?" 414 00:28:13,858 --> 00:28:16,610 "Yes, the... like, the main... like, yes." 415 00:28:16,611 --> 00:28:19,947 "The Firebird" is one of the modern masterpieces, 416 00:28:19,948 --> 00:28:21,907 both from the music standpoint 417 00:28:21,908 --> 00:28:23,575 and the choreographic standpoint, 418 00:28:23,576 --> 00:28:27,079 and it was being reset by Alexei Ratmansky, 419 00:28:27,080 --> 00:28:30,207 who's widely hailed as the sort of Balanchine, 420 00:28:30,208 --> 00:28:33,502 the great choreographer, the great ballet innovator, 421 00:28:33,503 --> 00:28:36,714 the man who is going to save ballet from obsolescence. 422 00:28:36,715 --> 00:28:38,090 And he adores Misty. 423 00:28:38,091 --> 00:28:42,636 I spent, like, I think it was two weeks in this studio 424 00:28:42,637 --> 00:28:45,264 just having "Firebird" created on me, 425 00:28:45,265 --> 00:28:46,390 which is really cool. 426 00:28:46,391 --> 00:28:48,642 Alexei came in with an idea, 427 00:28:48,643 --> 00:28:51,645 but he allowed us to be a part of the creative process, 428 00:28:51,646 --> 00:28:53,856 so if he saw that, you know, 429 00:28:53,857 --> 00:28:55,399 I was attempting to do something 430 00:28:55,400 --> 00:28:57,818 that looked more natural to fall out of it a certain way, 431 00:28:57,819 --> 00:29:00,237 then he would keep it. 432 00:29:00,238 --> 00:29:02,948 And he allowed the three of us Firebirds 433 00:29:02,949 --> 00:29:04,783 to have our own versions 434 00:29:04,784 --> 00:29:08,871 so that it suited our bodies and abilities best. 435 00:29:08,872 --> 00:29:10,998 In a company of 80 dancers 436 00:29:10,999 --> 00:29:13,208 where you've got a lot of stars... 437 00:29:13,209 --> 00:29:15,878 and he could have picked anyone... 438 00:29:15,879 --> 00:29:17,838 for him to pick someone 439 00:29:17,839 --> 00:29:21,467 who's not a prima ballerina but a soloist 440 00:29:21,468 --> 00:29:24,762 and then to pick someone black... 441 00:29:24,763 --> 00:29:27,306 a ballet of this magnitude, 442 00:29:27,307 --> 00:29:29,099 if we look in the annals of ballet 443 00:29:29,100 --> 00:29:31,685 going back to Louis xlv, 444 00:29:31,686 --> 00:29:33,771 it's never happened before. 445 00:29:33,772 --> 00:29:36,315 It is... it's monumental. 446 00:29:36,316 --> 00:29:39,485 The entire dance world was agog, 447 00:29:39,486 --> 00:29:41,695 and certainly every person of color 448 00:29:41,696 --> 00:29:44,698 involved in the dance world was standing up and cheering, 449 00:29:44,699 --> 00:29:46,867 because we'd been waiting for this moment. 450 00:29:49,078 --> 00:29:50,496 Susan Fales-Hill put together 451 00:29:50,497 --> 00:29:52,331 this really great group of women. 452 00:29:52,332 --> 00:29:54,208 She had called me and said, 453 00:29:54,209 --> 00:29:55,834 "Tracey, I want you to experience 454 00:29:55,835 --> 00:29:58,587 a really magical evening." 455 00:29:58,588 --> 00:30:01,799 I invited Debra Lee, the head of BET. 456 00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:07,304 I invited Marva Smalls, who's at MTV, Vacom. 457 00:30:07,305 --> 00:30:08,514 Star Jones was there. 458 00:30:08,515 --> 00:30:09,515 There was just a myriad 459 00:30:09,516 --> 00:30:12,893 of incredibly accomplished black women in the room... 460 00:30:12,894 --> 00:30:15,729 in the box, actually, and we were all there 461 00:30:15,730 --> 00:30:19,024 sharing in the triumph of Misty dancing. 462 00:30:19,025 --> 00:30:22,110 The makeup of the crowd was completely different 463 00:30:22,111 --> 00:30:25,781 than you would see on any other given day at the Met, 464 00:30:25,782 --> 00:30:29,576 and the power of one person to change the... 465 00:30:29,577 --> 00:30:34,456 the crowd who comes to see dance, 466 00:30:34,457 --> 00:30:36,708 I think that was really special. 467 00:30:36,709 --> 00:30:38,502 For a black woman to be the face 468 00:30:38,503 --> 00:30:40,337 of American Ballet Theatre's spring season 469 00:30:40,338 --> 00:30:42,005 at the Metropolitan Opera House, 470 00:30:42,006 --> 00:30:44,424 we knew that something was happening. 471 00:30:44,425 --> 00:30:47,886 My manager, Gilda, was waiting for me outside, 472 00:30:47,887 --> 00:30:50,389 and I walked out, and I looked up, 473 00:30:50,390 --> 00:30:53,267 and I saw that the whole front of the Met 474 00:30:53,268 --> 00:30:55,310 was covered in this woman 475 00:30:55,311 --> 00:30:57,813 with her breasts out and arched back, 476 00:30:57,814 --> 00:31:00,023 and I was like, "Oh, my gosh. 477 00:31:00,024 --> 00:31:03,443 That's a curvy black woman on the front of the Met, 478 00:31:03,444 --> 00:31:04,528 and it's me." 479 00:31:05,947 --> 00:31:09,658 And I just... we both cried, because it meant so much 480 00:31:09,659 --> 00:31:12,035 for the African-American community 481 00:31:12,036 --> 00:31:14,538 to feel welcome in that space. 482 00:31:14,539 --> 00:31:16,123 When she entered the stage, 483 00:31:16,124 --> 00:31:18,709 and it just seemed like collectively, 484 00:31:18,710 --> 00:31:21,795 we all kind of leaned forward, 485 00:31:21,796 --> 00:31:26,091 and it was just the sense 486 00:31:26,092 --> 00:31:29,845 of pride and joy 487 00:31:29,846 --> 00:31:34,474 to just see this talented, strong, 488 00:31:34,475 --> 00:31:39,313 graceful, amazing woman grace the stage. 489 00:31:39,314 --> 00:31:41,565 She came out to give her bows at the end. 490 00:31:41,566 --> 00:31:42,691 It was quite amazing. 491 00:31:42,692 --> 00:31:46,153 There were people in the crowd who were actually crying. 492 00:31:46,154 --> 00:31:49,156 There was an emotional connection to her 493 00:31:49,157 --> 00:31:51,658 and to the fact that this was an historic performance. 494 00:31:51,659 --> 00:31:53,660 To sit in that theater that night, 495 00:31:53,661 --> 00:31:59,499 surrounded by African-American women of accomplishment, 496 00:31:59,500 --> 00:32:05,172 watching a ballerina take center stage 497 00:32:05,173 --> 00:32:07,883 in one of the most important works 498 00:32:07,884 --> 00:32:10,886 just felt like her life had come full circle. 499 00:32:10,887 --> 00:32:12,429 Afterwards, they had a sort of 500 00:32:12,430 --> 00:32:14,014 a meet and greet set up on the stage. 501 00:32:14,015 --> 00:32:15,015 They had tables set up. 502 00:32:15,016 --> 00:32:17,059 I said to Misty, "Wow, you know, I was knocked out. 503 00:32:17,060 --> 00:32:18,060 "This is amazing. 504 00:32:18,061 --> 00:32:19,061 Congratulations." 505 00:32:19,062 --> 00:32:20,437 You know, she had a beautiful outfit on, 506 00:32:20,438 --> 00:32:23,482 she had some high heels on, and she looked perfectly fine, 507 00:32:23,483 --> 00:32:27,194 and she said to me, "I'm in a lot of pain, Nelson." 508 00:32:27,195 --> 00:32:28,862 And I was like, "Whoa, you would never 509 00:32:28,863 --> 00:32:30,489 have known that by watching her," 510 00:32:30,490 --> 00:32:33,325 but it turned out that she'd been dancing 511 00:32:33,326 --> 00:32:38,038 with severe fractures in her shin. 512 00:32:54,764 --> 00:32:57,182 That night, I came into the theater, 513 00:32:57,183 --> 00:32:58,850 and I was in so much pain, 514 00:32:58,851 --> 00:33:01,812 I didn't know how I was gonna get onstage. 515 00:33:01,813 --> 00:33:03,397 I knew it was there, 516 00:33:03,398 --> 00:33:05,148 but I kind of pushed it to the side, 517 00:33:05,149 --> 00:33:09,861 because I knew how vital that season was for me. 518 00:33:09,862 --> 00:33:13,240 The opportunity to do principal roles as a soloist 519 00:33:13,241 --> 00:33:15,492 I didn't think was something that would come again. 520 00:33:17,036 --> 00:33:20,706 Knowing how much of the black community 521 00:33:20,707 --> 00:33:23,959 was coming to the Met, maybe for the first time, 522 00:33:23,960 --> 00:33:26,795 to support me, I understood 523 00:33:26,796 --> 00:33:28,255 that I had to make it work. 524 00:33:28,256 --> 00:33:32,217 I knew that that night stood for something 525 00:33:32,218 --> 00:33:34,136 so much bigger than me 526 00:33:34,137 --> 00:33:37,556 and beyond what I can even imagine, 527 00:33:37,557 --> 00:33:39,558 so I knew that no matter what I did 528 00:33:39,559 --> 00:33:42,185 on the stage that night, 529 00:33:42,186 --> 00:33:45,147 it was going to be a historical evening. 530 00:33:46,649 --> 00:33:48,650 I think a dancer's pain tolerance 531 00:33:48,651 --> 00:33:51,445 is on another level that I... 532 00:33:51,446 --> 00:33:54,781 I have no idea if it can be compared 533 00:33:54,782 --> 00:33:56,783 to anyone or anything. 534 00:33:56,784 --> 00:33:59,828 When you're onstage and you're standing on one leg 535 00:33:59,829 --> 00:34:03,665 for, you know, five, ten minutes at a time 536 00:34:03,666 --> 00:34:05,584 and you're supposed to look like a beautiful swan 537 00:34:05,585 --> 00:34:06,960 and you have sweat dripping in your eye 538 00:34:06,961 --> 00:34:09,212 and your butt's cramping and your feet are cramping 539 00:34:09,213 --> 00:34:10,338 and then all of a sudden, 540 00:34:10,339 --> 00:34:14,426 you have to get up and start jumping and moving, 541 00:34:14,427 --> 00:34:17,054 that pain is something that every dancer deals with, 542 00:34:17,055 --> 00:34:18,930 and no one really talks about it. 543 00:34:22,060 --> 00:34:24,478 Pointe shoes are uncomfortable. 544 00:34:24,479 --> 00:34:25,937 They hurt. 545 00:34:25,938 --> 00:34:28,565 Your feet, when you first learn how to dance en point, 546 00:34:28,566 --> 00:34:31,401 are going to bleed, sometimes through your shoes. 547 00:34:31,402 --> 00:34:32,652 That's unusual. 548 00:34:33,654 --> 00:34:34,821 Why do we do that? 549 00:34:34,822 --> 00:34:38,075 As soon as dance becomes more athletic, 550 00:34:38,076 --> 00:34:42,871 which it has definitely become in the 21st century, 551 00:34:42,872 --> 00:34:47,918 the body is just beaten up way too much. 552 00:34:47,919 --> 00:34:50,587 Even a great dancer like Mikhail Baryshnikov, 553 00:34:50,588 --> 00:34:52,380 I mean, he blew his knees out from... 554 00:34:52,381 --> 00:34:55,634 like, if you jump high, you land hard. 555 00:34:55,635 --> 00:34:57,928 Here she is dealing with still pain, 556 00:34:57,929 --> 00:34:59,137 trying to figure out, 557 00:34:59,138 --> 00:35:00,430 "How am I going to deal with this? 558 00:35:00,431 --> 00:35:04,309 "But, oh, yeah, I'm 29 years old, 559 00:35:04,310 --> 00:35:06,144 and I'm dealing with the end of my career." 560 00:35:08,815 --> 00:35:14,611 She ended up going to a doctor who works with top athletes 561 00:35:14,612 --> 00:35:16,738 at the New York Hospital for Special Surgery. 562 00:35:16,739 --> 00:35:20,117 He was the only person who was confident that this... 563 00:35:20,118 --> 00:35:21,618 that you will dance again. 564 00:35:21,619 --> 00:35:25,038 Everyone else was telling her, "Your career is over." 565 00:35:41,472 --> 00:35:45,016 So your diagnosis is a mid-tibia stress fracture, 566 00:35:45,017 --> 00:35:47,561 which occurs very commonly in jumping athletes. 567 00:35:47,562 --> 00:35:49,646 So the tibia bone... which is, on her, 568 00:35:49,647 --> 00:35:52,941 the mid-shaft leg bone... it takes all the stress. 569 00:35:52,942 --> 00:35:57,279 Instead of breaking in half, it gets a tiny little break 570 00:35:57,280 --> 00:35:58,530 in the cortex surface, 571 00:35:58,531 --> 00:36:00,949 or the outer surface, of the bone. 572 00:36:00,950 --> 00:36:02,117 They're very slow healing, 573 00:36:02,118 --> 00:36:05,370 so she spent months trying to get this to heal beforehand, 574 00:36:05,371 --> 00:36:07,998 and then we made a decision about how to treat it. 575 00:36:07,999 --> 00:36:10,709 We... our one decision was take a... put a rod. 576 00:36:10,710 --> 00:36:12,711 One option was to take... go near her knee 577 00:36:12,712 --> 00:36:14,588 and put a rod from here all the way down 578 00:36:14,589 --> 00:36:17,591 the bone in her leg inside the bone. 579 00:36:17,592 --> 00:36:18,717 The nice thing about that 580 00:36:18,718 --> 00:36:20,427 is that it takes care of the whole thing. 581 00:36:20,428 --> 00:36:21,428 The disadvantage is, 582 00:36:21,429 --> 00:36:23,805 about 20% of people have some knee pain, 583 00:36:23,806 --> 00:36:25,724 and she's a jumper, so you try not 584 00:36:25,725 --> 00:36:27,934 to mess with her knee at all. 585 00:36:27,935 --> 00:36:29,936 We made an incision right here in the front, 586 00:36:29,937 --> 00:36:31,521 and in that incision, 587 00:36:31,522 --> 00:36:33,565 we found the little stress fractures, 588 00:36:33,566 --> 00:36:34,858 we drilled across them with a needle 589 00:36:34,859 --> 00:36:36,359 to stimulate some bleeding, 590 00:36:36,360 --> 00:36:37,986 we packed the bone marrow cells in there, 591 00:36:37,987 --> 00:36:39,154 and then we put the plate. 592 00:36:39,155 --> 00:36:44,868 When I heard the words "black dreaded line fracture," 593 00:36:44,869 --> 00:36:47,495 that sounds like death to me. 594 00:36:47,496 --> 00:36:49,748 Like, hearing that word, it was like, 595 00:36:49,749 --> 00:36:52,167 "What does that mean?" 596 00:36:52,168 --> 00:36:53,543 It was scary. 597 00:36:53,544 --> 00:36:55,712 And then finding out that it meant 598 00:36:55,713 --> 00:36:58,465 almost a complete break through my bone... 599 00:36:58,466 --> 00:37:03,845 it's hard to fathom that that can happen from dancing, 600 00:37:03,846 --> 00:37:07,224 but it was just impact over and over and over again, 601 00:37:07,225 --> 00:37:08,558 probably through the course of a year, 602 00:37:08,559 --> 00:37:09,601 that caused it. 603 00:37:09,602 --> 00:37:12,729 Had I continued to dance for who knows how much longer, 604 00:37:12,730 --> 00:37:16,441 my bone could have completely snapped in half. 605 00:37:22,281 --> 00:37:23,698 The rest of the ballet world, 606 00:37:23,699 --> 00:37:25,742 including, I think, her company, 607 00:37:25,743 --> 00:37:28,995 once they realized, you know, the extent of her injuries, 608 00:37:28,996 --> 00:37:31,539 I don't think anyone truly expected her 609 00:37:31,540 --> 00:37:32,707 to be able to come back from that. 610 00:37:32,708 --> 00:37:33,875 You know, you combine 611 00:37:33,876 --> 00:37:37,254 the extent of the injury with her age, 612 00:37:37,255 --> 00:37:38,880 the amount of wear and tear on the body, 613 00:37:38,881 --> 00:37:40,298 I think that they just sort of said, 614 00:37:40,299 --> 00:37:41,841 "One plus one plus one equals three, 615 00:37:41,842 --> 00:37:43,301 "and you're not coming back, 616 00:37:43,302 --> 00:37:45,387 "and if you do come back, you won't be able to come back 617 00:37:45,388 --> 00:37:48,181 and be... you won't be able to pick up where you left off." 618 00:38:32,601 --> 00:38:37,522 In a company like ABT, the talent is endless. 619 00:38:37,523 --> 00:38:40,066 The second you step out for, you know, 620 00:38:40,067 --> 00:38:43,862 the length of time an injury may take to recover from, 621 00:38:43,863 --> 00:38:45,905 you lose that window of opportunity, 622 00:38:45,906 --> 00:38:48,033 and you may never be given the opportunity again. 623 00:38:49,577 --> 00:38:52,162 But there was a lot of time spent just, like, 624 00:38:52,163 --> 00:38:53,788 overanalyzing all of that. 625 00:38:53,789 --> 00:38:56,249 Like, "What am I gonna do?" 626 00:38:56,250 --> 00:39:00,211 I felt like I was gonna let down so many people 627 00:39:00,212 --> 00:39:01,546 who were, like, watching me. 628 00:39:01,547 --> 00:39:03,590 Like, you're creating this path, 629 00:39:03,591 --> 00:39:05,842 and then it was like, "Okay, that's the end of it." 630 00:41:05,296 --> 00:41:06,588 It's been, like, seven months 631 00:41:06,589 --> 00:41:09,466 since I've been working with Marjorie 632 00:41:09,467 --> 00:41:12,469 on floor barre. 633 00:41:12,470 --> 00:41:14,596 I still have a lot to learn. 634 00:41:25,191 --> 00:41:26,608 Want to try it on the other side? 635 00:41:26,609 --> 00:41:27,609 Sure. 636 00:41:27,610 --> 00:41:30,904 If you stand at the barre the way we always do 637 00:41:30,905 --> 00:41:34,616 and will continue to do, you can work your right side 638 00:41:34,617 --> 00:41:36,951 and your left side differently for a lifetime 639 00:41:36,952 --> 00:41:38,953 or until something breaks. 640 00:41:38,954 --> 00:41:39,954 That's true. 641 00:41:39,955 --> 00:41:41,623 That's the way it goes. 642 00:41:53,135 --> 00:41:54,969 Try not to sit in the standing hip. 643 00:41:54,970 --> 00:41:56,596 Good. 644 00:41:56,597 --> 00:41:59,015 As dancers, we know one leg goes up higher, 645 00:41:59,016 --> 00:42:01,059 one leg jumps better, 646 00:42:01,060 --> 00:42:02,310 and the other leg balances better. 647 00:42:02,311 --> 00:42:04,312 Whatever that is, 648 00:42:04,313 --> 00:42:07,315 we need to become as symmetrical as possible. 649 00:42:11,403 --> 00:42:13,238 Want to start again? 650 00:42:13,239 --> 00:42:15,448 Don't bring it up from your quad. 651 00:42:15,449 --> 00:42:17,867 Really lengthen through the inner thigh. 652 00:42:19,912 --> 00:42:22,539 So I was working with Marjorie maybe two months 653 00:42:22,540 --> 00:42:24,290 before I decided to have the surgery. 654 00:42:24,291 --> 00:42:25,708 And then Marjorie was there with me, 655 00:42:25,709 --> 00:42:27,544 I think, two weeks after my surgery 656 00:42:27,545 --> 00:42:31,089 in my apartment, helping me, you know... 657 00:42:31,090 --> 00:42:33,049 I was not walking still, 658 00:42:33,050 --> 00:42:34,717 and we were laying on the floor, 659 00:42:34,718 --> 00:42:36,302 and she was working with me 660 00:42:36,303 --> 00:42:38,304 until I literally couldn't anymore. 661 00:42:38,305 --> 00:42:39,806 I was just, like, exhausted. 662 00:42:39,807 --> 00:42:42,016 She's kind of been there with me, 663 00:42:42,017 --> 00:42:43,935 literally retraining my body 664 00:42:43,936 --> 00:42:45,853 in the middle of my professional career. 665 00:43:45,539 --> 00:43:46,956 - Middy. - Michele! 666 00:43:46,957 --> 00:43:48,625 - Hey. - Oh, my God. 667 00:43:48,626 --> 00:43:50,293 I had no idea it started at 1:00. 668 00:43:50,294 --> 00:43:52,337 - I'm here. - Oh, my gosh, sorry. 669 00:43:52,338 --> 00:43:54,339 No, it's not your... honey, you have enough to worry about. 670 00:43:54,340 --> 00:43:55,506 Did I... I thought we said... 671 00:43:55,507 --> 00:43:58,134 You have a company to run and some roles to dance. 672 00:44:10,064 --> 00:44:11,105 - Hi. - How are you? 673 00:44:11,106 --> 00:44:12,231 I'm good. How are you doing? 674 00:44:12,232 --> 00:44:13,399 Yeah, me too. 675 00:44:13,400 --> 00:44:15,443 I remember being in class with Michele, 676 00:44:15,444 --> 00:44:17,737 like, sitting on the floor of Marjorie's apartment, 677 00:44:17,738 --> 00:44:20,281 and I was contemplating, like, 678 00:44:20,282 --> 00:44:21,824 when I was gonna go back to ABT. 679 00:44:21,825 --> 00:44:23,576 They were really, like, nudging me, like, 680 00:44:23,577 --> 00:44:24,827 "You need to come now," and I was like, 681 00:44:24,828 --> 00:44:26,663 "I'm not ready; I'm not ready." 682 00:44:26,664 --> 00:44:29,165 Michele Wiles started BalletNext 683 00:44:29,166 --> 00:44:30,792 with Charles Askegard, 684 00:44:30,793 --> 00:44:33,127 was a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, 685 00:44:33,128 --> 00:44:35,004 and she was a good friend of mine. 686 00:44:35,005 --> 00:44:36,005 And Michele said, 687 00:44:36,006 --> 00:44:39,842 "Why don't you do a performance with us first, 688 00:44:39,843 --> 00:44:42,387 and maybe you'll feel more comfortable and secure?" 689 00:44:42,388 --> 00:44:43,554 And I was like, "Oh, my gosh. 690 00:44:43,555 --> 00:44:44,722 I don't know." 691 00:44:44,723 --> 00:44:46,140 She's like, "Why don't you do something 692 00:44:46,141 --> 00:44:48,142 "that's more simple, you know, doesn't take a lot, 693 00:44:48,143 --> 00:44:49,185 there's no jumping," 694 00:44:49,186 --> 00:44:51,646 and, "Why don't you do 'The Dying Swan'?" 695 00:44:51,647 --> 00:44:53,356 And I was like, "That's brilliant, 696 00:44:53,357 --> 00:44:54,899 but I'm terrified." 697 00:46:32,623 --> 00:46:34,791 - There's the superstar. - Are you done here? 698 00:46:34,792 --> 00:46:35,875 - Merde, yes. - Okay. 699 00:46:35,876 --> 00:46:37,877 - Have fun, okay? - Thank you. 700 00:49:36,098 --> 00:49:38,099 Well, what did you think, Coach? 701 00:49:38,100 --> 00:49:40,101 It was okay. 702 00:49:40,102 --> 00:49:41,102 Um... 703 00:49:42,729 --> 00:49:43,729 I didn't fall. 704 00:49:45,732 --> 00:49:48,818 It just wasn't, like, what I'm used to. 705 00:49:48,819 --> 00:49:52,488 I didn't use the space like I should have, 706 00:49:52,489 --> 00:49:57,618 but no stumbling, so it was okay. 707 00:49:57,619 --> 00:49:58,869 People liked it. 708 00:49:58,870 --> 00:50:00,579 - It was beautiful. - Thank you. 709 00:50:00,580 --> 00:50:03,582 Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel better. 710 00:50:03,583 --> 00:50:05,835 That was rough. 711 00:50:05,836 --> 00:50:08,546 First time... first time in the game in a while. 712 00:50:08,547 --> 00:50:10,423 First time in a year. 713 00:50:14,094 --> 00:50:15,803 I'm glad that's over. 714 00:50:15,804 --> 00:50:17,805 Well... 715 00:50:17,806 --> 00:50:18,806 I am. 716 00:50:34,990 --> 00:50:36,532 I know... 717 00:50:36,533 --> 00:50:38,659 - I know you! - Hey. 718 00:50:38,660 --> 00:50:41,162 - I've been listening. - You hot, beautiful girl. 719 00:50:41,163 --> 00:50:42,246 Everyone gets confused 720 00:50:42,247 --> 00:50:43,456 and gets off on the second floor... 721 00:50:43,457 --> 00:50:44,874 - I did. - Because it's 29. 722 00:50:44,875 --> 00:50:46,917 I know; every single one of my girlfriends do. 723 00:50:46,918 --> 00:50:49,128 Oh, I'm so glad I'm not the only dummy. 724 00:50:49,129 --> 00:50:50,463 No, it's not dumb at all. 725 00:50:50,464 --> 00:50:51,464 I'm Nelson. 726 00:50:51,465 --> 00:50:52,757 - I met you at the... - Yeah, I know. 727 00:50:52,758 --> 00:50:53,758 - I remember. - Good to see you again. 728 00:50:53,759 --> 00:50:54,759 Good to see you again. 729 00:50:54,760 --> 00:50:56,135 We were tooling around on the stage... 730 00:50:56,136 --> 00:50:57,136 Absolutely, absolutely. 731 00:50:57,137 --> 00:50:58,137 It was beautiful. 732 00:50:58,138 --> 00:50:59,847 Trying to find our way in and out. 733 00:50:59,848 --> 00:51:02,016 - Good. - Bless her heart. 734 00:51:02,017 --> 00:51:03,350 I'm worried about her, you know. 735 00:51:03,351 --> 00:51:05,102 She doesn't worry about anything. 736 00:51:05,103 --> 00:51:06,854 How... you were gonna do everything today. 737 00:51:06,855 --> 00:51:08,689 Look at you, how beautiful you look. 738 00:51:08,690 --> 00:51:10,775 I did the show last night, and then... 739 00:51:10,776 --> 00:51:11,776 - Oh, you did? - Yeah. 740 00:51:11,777 --> 00:51:13,360 'Cause I didn't know whether it was tonight. 741 00:51:13,361 --> 00:51:14,361 It's tonight as well. 742 00:51:14,362 --> 00:51:15,488 - Oh! - Yeah. 743 00:51:15,489 --> 00:51:17,698 And I thought to myself, "How's she doing?" 744 00:51:17,699 --> 00:51:18,699 Did you take class? 745 00:51:18,700 --> 00:51:19,784 Yeah, I already took class this morning. 746 00:51:19,785 --> 00:51:21,577 I knew that would be. 747 00:51:21,578 --> 00:51:22,703 I don't know how she does it. 748 00:51:23,705 --> 00:51:25,581 You know, in my... in my youth youth, 749 00:51:25,582 --> 00:51:27,583 I didn't have the energy she has. 750 00:51:27,584 --> 00:51:29,418 You're so sweet. 751 00:51:29,419 --> 00:51:31,045 Isn't this nice? Hello, ladies! 752 00:51:31,046 --> 00:51:33,422 This is Raven, everyone. 753 00:51:33,423 --> 00:51:35,257 I'm Raven. 754 00:51:35,258 --> 00:51:37,134 - How is everything? - I'll take your umbrella. 755 00:51:37,135 --> 00:51:38,969 Look at how... how was class? 756 00:51:38,970 --> 00:51:39,970 It was fine. 757 00:51:39,971 --> 00:51:41,931 - I took Dameon Howard. - Oh, you did? 758 00:51:41,932 --> 00:51:44,016 - Yeah, he's doing well. - But I mean, the other day. 759 00:51:44,017 --> 00:51:45,726 - Um... oh, with the company? - Yeah. 760 00:51:45,727 --> 00:51:47,353 It was fine. 761 00:51:47,354 --> 00:51:49,063 I'm gonna take company class again Saturday... 762 00:51:49,064 --> 00:51:50,231 - Yeah. - So we'll see. 763 00:51:50,232 --> 00:51:52,399 How... did you... could you get through it all, 764 00:51:52,400 --> 00:51:53,400 or you stopped a little? 765 00:51:53,401 --> 00:51:55,528 - Well, I'm not jumping. - Yeah. 766 00:51:55,529 --> 00:51:57,780 I'm not doing grand allegro, so I did part of it, 767 00:51:57,781 --> 00:51:59,907 but my meeting was, like, halfway through, 768 00:51:59,908 --> 00:52:00,950 so I had to leave early. 769 00:52:00,951 --> 00:52:03,577 Yeah, and how... oh, good, you had a good excuse. 770 00:52:03,578 --> 00:52:05,287 - I had a good excuse to be... - How was that? 771 00:52:05,288 --> 00:52:08,249 - It was fine. - I'll just put this here. 772 00:52:08,250 --> 00:52:09,875 It was kind of pointless to meet with them 773 00:52:09,876 --> 00:52:12,044 because I'll have more information 774 00:52:12,045 --> 00:52:14,672 after my doctor's appointment today. 775 00:52:14,673 --> 00:52:16,841 - That is so beautiful. - It's pretty swollen. 776 00:52:16,842 --> 00:52:19,802 I bumped into my bed, and mine looks worse than that. 777 00:52:21,012 --> 00:52:22,471 No, that's gorgeous. 778 00:52:22,472 --> 00:52:24,140 - But yeah, I mean... - What work did he do? 779 00:52:24,141 --> 00:52:26,976 'Cause you haven't seen me since the surgery, right? 780 00:52:26,977 --> 00:52:29,228 - No, no. - Yeah, so that... 781 00:52:29,229 --> 00:52:32,690 And I never saw anything before. 782 00:52:32,691 --> 00:52:34,859 I had no idea you had this problem. 783 00:52:34,860 --> 00:52:36,152 Well, you... you couldn't tell. 784 00:52:36,153 --> 00:52:39,572 No, she dances so beautifully. 785 00:52:39,573 --> 00:52:40,906 - It's doing very well. - Yeah. 786 00:52:40,907 --> 00:52:42,283 - The scar looks straight. - Lookit, she's so strong. 787 00:52:42,284 --> 00:52:43,909 Look at the ankles and the feet. 788 00:52:44,911 --> 00:52:46,162 I'm getting there. 789 00:52:46,163 --> 00:52:47,997 - Well, he did a marvelous job. - He really did. 790 00:52:47,998 --> 00:52:52,001 You know, medicine and a good doctor is an artist. 791 00:52:52,002 --> 00:52:54,420 Yeah, that's true. 792 00:52:54,421 --> 00:52:56,338 He was most concerned with the scar 793 00:52:56,339 --> 00:52:57,798 more than anything else. 794 00:52:57,799 --> 00:52:59,341 I was concerned 'cause you can wear... 795 00:52:59,342 --> 00:53:00,426 - My high heels? - No one wants her... 796 00:53:00,427 --> 00:53:01,886 Oh, what were you gonna say? 797 00:53:01,887 --> 00:53:02,887 - No. - Oh, tights? 798 00:53:02,888 --> 00:53:04,388 - No, you can cover up. - Right. 799 00:53:04,389 --> 00:53:06,140 You know, I know you don't really want to, 800 00:53:06,141 --> 00:53:09,476 but I was much more concerned about what was going on inside. 801 00:53:09,477 --> 00:53:11,729 - So am I. - Yeah, but it's... 802 00:53:11,730 --> 00:53:13,689 - So we'll see. - Yeah, look at you, though. 803 00:53:13,690 --> 00:53:16,108 - Still a bit sensitive, though. - You're flexing here. 804 00:53:16,109 --> 00:53:18,694 I've been thinking about 805 00:53:18,695 --> 00:53:22,323 the very first time that I found out who you were, 806 00:53:22,324 --> 00:53:26,285 which to me is really crazy that it was 807 00:53:26,286 --> 00:53:30,915 far into my career as a professional already, 808 00:53:30,916 --> 00:53:32,875 and I saw the film "The Ballet Russe." 809 00:53:32,876 --> 00:53:34,501 - A lot of books... - There wasn't that much said... 810 00:53:34,502 --> 00:53:35,502 Right. 811 00:53:35,503 --> 00:53:37,630 Because when I came along, 812 00:53:37,631 --> 00:53:39,798 the less said was the better, you know? 813 00:53:39,799 --> 00:53:40,799 Yeah, yeah. 814 00:53:40,800 --> 00:53:44,470 I mean, I just went as I was and who I was, 815 00:53:44,471 --> 00:53:47,806 but people, they thought it wasn't nice 816 00:53:47,807 --> 00:53:50,559 to talk about race or I might be insulted. 817 00:53:50,560 --> 00:53:52,394 I mean, I... yeah, I think... 818 00:53:52,395 --> 00:53:56,649 So a lot of it wasn't like... now we have this time span, 819 00:53:56,650 --> 00:53:58,067 and now people are very interested, 820 00:53:58,068 --> 00:53:59,818 and people don't talk about it 821 00:53:59,819 --> 00:54:01,695 and especially younger people, you know. 822 00:54:01,696 --> 00:54:03,364 I mean, I think it's important 823 00:54:03,365 --> 00:54:07,326 to be able to discuss it, because then it forces people 824 00:54:07,327 --> 00:54:11,538 to kind of confront the issues. 825 00:54:11,539 --> 00:54:13,207 But yes, the first time I saw you 826 00:54:13,208 --> 00:54:17,086 was in "The Ballet Russe" film, and I cried my eyes out 827 00:54:17,087 --> 00:54:18,462 because I didn't even know 828 00:54:18,463 --> 00:54:22,132 that a black ballerina of your level existed, 829 00:54:22,133 --> 00:54:23,759 and so that was kind of the start 830 00:54:23,760 --> 00:54:26,011 of this mission I had, you know, 831 00:54:26,012 --> 00:54:28,847 to learn more about black ballerinas, 832 00:54:28,848 --> 00:54:33,143 to try and educate other people about who you are, 833 00:54:33,144 --> 00:54:37,606 who Janet Collins is, and so that's kind of 834 00:54:37,607 --> 00:54:39,942 how this all got started. 835 00:54:41,569 --> 00:54:43,279 You know... 836 00:54:43,280 --> 00:54:45,281 You know, when you start out looking. 837 00:54:45,282 --> 00:54:48,200 Yes, in the pose. 838 00:54:48,201 --> 00:54:49,201 Yeah. 839 00:54:49,202 --> 00:54:50,202 And that's your pose, 840 00:54:50,203 --> 00:54:53,289 and then we were doing the cygnets. 841 00:54:53,290 --> 00:54:54,748 - Oh, right. - Yes. 842 00:54:54,749 --> 00:54:58,085 We did the same... we did the same part, 843 00:54:58,086 --> 00:55:00,379 so it's hard for us to both... 844 00:55:00,380 --> 00:55:02,339 Well, I think I've done it in other positions. 845 00:55:02,340 --> 00:55:04,091 Yeah, you kind of... you just... 846 00:55:08,763 --> 00:55:13,225 You kind of have to be ready to jump into any of the slots. 847 00:55:13,226 --> 00:55:14,560 You... I had to go into it... 848 00:55:14,561 --> 00:55:16,395 But we both... and you're used to doing 849 00:55:16,396 --> 00:55:17,938 the quick... the quick head switching. 850 00:55:28,408 --> 00:55:30,034 Oh, yes, did you do that? 851 00:55:32,871 --> 00:55:34,246 And there's different versions. 852 00:55:34,247 --> 00:55:35,539 - Yeah. - And... 853 00:55:35,540 --> 00:55:37,124 Oh, my goodness. 854 00:55:37,125 --> 00:55:38,709 And then go. Then you take off like... 855 00:55:38,710 --> 00:55:39,918 Oh, wow. 856 00:55:39,919 --> 00:55:43,380 Yeah, and then the emboȊtés. 857 00:55:43,381 --> 00:55:44,840 - Going back to the corner. - Yeah. 858 00:55:44,841 --> 00:55:46,925 - Did you do the emboȊtés? - Oh, right! 859 00:55:46,926 --> 00:55:47,926 That's it. 860 00:55:51,431 --> 00:55:53,849 And then the pas de chats, and you just... 861 00:55:53,850 --> 00:55:54,850 Right, and that... 862 00:55:54,851 --> 00:55:56,310 Did you look forward, or did you look over 863 00:55:56,311 --> 00:55:57,770 when you did the pas de chats? 864 00:55:57,771 --> 00:55:59,605 - No, I think we looked left. - Yes, over. 865 00:55:59,606 --> 00:56:00,606 - Yeah. - I mean your right. 866 00:56:00,607 --> 00:56:01,732 - Right. - When you're going right. 867 00:56:01,733 --> 00:56:02,816 Over the direction you're going. 868 00:56:02,817 --> 00:56:05,944 And then comes the pause and then a fouetté. 869 00:56:08,573 --> 00:56:11,283 Back. 870 00:56:11,284 --> 00:56:12,910 And then the passés at the end. 871 00:56:12,911 --> 00:56:13,911 Passé, passé, passé. 872 00:56:13,912 --> 00:56:14,912 Oh, God, yes. 873 00:56:14,913 --> 00:56:16,955 - Did you do the heads that way? - Yes, yup. 874 00:56:19,959 --> 00:56:21,502 - And then all of a sudden... - And then you let go. 875 00:56:21,503 --> 00:56:24,963 Barump, barump on the knee. 876 00:56:24,964 --> 00:56:26,757 Let's see, and how did the hands go? 877 00:56:26,758 --> 00:56:29,426 We went... we went this way and then this way to finish. 878 00:56:29,427 --> 00:56:31,053 - That's it, yeah. - Is that how you did it? 879 00:56:31,054 --> 00:56:33,055 Yup. 880 00:56:33,056 --> 00:56:36,475 - Same old, same old. - Never changes. 881 00:56:36,476 --> 00:56:38,477 No. 882 00:56:38,478 --> 00:56:39,561 Well, little things here and there. 883 00:56:39,562 --> 00:56:40,562 Those little swans, 884 00:56:40,563 --> 00:56:42,481 we don't want to lose them in the lake, so... 885 00:56:44,484 --> 00:56:46,193 But, oh, just... 886 00:56:46,194 --> 00:56:47,236 It's incredible that you still 887 00:56:47,237 --> 00:56:48,695 remember all those little details. 888 00:56:48,696 --> 00:56:49,822 Yeah, isn't it? 889 00:56:49,823 --> 00:56:52,533 And I mean, when you hear the music... 890 00:56:52,534 --> 00:56:53,951 It just comes back. 891 00:56:53,952 --> 00:56:55,953 - It's in your body. - Yeah. 892 00:57:01,584 --> 00:57:03,001 Do you have a needle? 893 00:57:03,002 --> 00:57:04,670 Oh, no, I got it. 894 00:57:04,671 --> 00:57:05,671 It was hiding. 895 00:57:05,672 --> 00:57:06,672 I got it. 896 00:57:13,179 --> 00:57:15,180 Thank you. 897 00:57:49,132 --> 00:57:51,467 90 degrees, fifth. 898 00:57:54,220 --> 00:57:55,804 Fifth. 899 00:57:55,805 --> 00:57:59,933 Ronde de jambe. 900 00:57:59,934 --> 00:58:04,146 And one, two, three. 901 00:58:04,147 --> 00:58:05,397 Okay. 902 00:58:52,028 --> 00:58:55,030 - How are you? - Just fine, and you? 903 00:58:55,031 --> 00:58:57,449 Eh. 904 00:58:57,450 --> 00:59:00,661 I think I... I could have pulled something, 905 00:59:00,662 --> 00:59:03,288 but I had a back spasm. 906 00:59:03,289 --> 00:59:05,415 - When, yesterday? - The first day in Rome. 907 00:59:05,416 --> 00:59:06,750 - First day in Rome. - First day? 908 00:59:06,751 --> 00:59:09,211 It started, yeah. I just... 909 00:59:09,212 --> 00:59:10,504 During the performance or the rehearsal? 910 00:59:10,505 --> 00:59:12,548 No, getting into the van. 911 00:59:12,549 --> 00:59:14,341 - Getting into the van? - Yeah. 912 00:59:14,342 --> 00:59:15,551 Oh, come on. 913 00:59:15,552 --> 00:59:17,344 That's when they happen. 914 00:59:34,904 --> 00:59:36,530 When did it happen? 915 00:59:36,531 --> 00:59:37,531 Two days ago. 916 00:59:37,532 --> 00:59:40,284 So last night was the worst. 917 00:59:40,285 --> 00:59:42,035 I couldn't breathe. 918 00:59:43,871 --> 00:59:46,665 It feels, also, like my sacrum or something is stuck. 919 00:59:56,426 --> 00:59:58,635 No, no. 920 00:59:58,636 --> 01:00:00,262 Yeah. 921 01:00:00,263 --> 01:00:02,472 Yes. 922 01:00:06,936 --> 01:00:07,936 No. 923 01:00:12,358 --> 01:00:13,358 Relax. 924 01:00:35,715 --> 01:00:37,341 Okay. 925 01:00:38,760 --> 01:00:41,261 Okay, now on your side and face the wall. 926 01:00:42,472 --> 01:00:45,474 Yeah, towards him on your right side. 927 01:00:59,697 --> 01:01:01,698 Do you have pain? 928 01:01:01,699 --> 01:01:03,325 - Yes. - Sì. 929 01:01:06,579 --> 01:01:08,497 Okay. 930 01:01:09,624 --> 01:01:10,624 It cracked. 931 01:01:16,506 --> 01:01:17,714 - Pain? - Yes. 932 01:01:17,715 --> 01:01:18,715 Sì. 933 01:01:24,138 --> 01:01:25,514 - Pain? - Yes, same place. 934 01:01:51,708 --> 01:01:53,291 Okay. 935 01:01:55,586 --> 01:01:57,421 Okay. 936 01:01:59,048 --> 01:02:00,048 Grazie. 937 01:02:03,052 --> 01:02:04,261 Uh... 938 01:02:04,262 --> 01:02:05,470 Tomorrow. 939 01:03:45,488 --> 01:03:46,822 Yes, yes. 940 01:03:46,823 --> 01:03:47,823 I think. 941 01:03:57,416 --> 01:03:59,042 So tightest. 942 01:04:01,838 --> 01:04:03,046 Tight. 943 01:07:11,861 --> 01:07:13,486 Except for these two ladies right here. 944 01:07:14,739 --> 01:07:16,740 - Thank you. - I know that's what he meant. 945 01:07:16,741 --> 01:07:18,241 Well, no, if she's with you, that's fine. 946 01:07:18,242 --> 01:07:19,284 I'm not worried about that. 947 01:07:24,248 --> 01:07:25,915 Oh, that was your daughter? No, you can stay here, then. 948 01:07:25,916 --> 01:07:26,916 I'm sorry. 949 01:07:26,917 --> 01:07:28,084 I didn't know that was your daughter. 950 01:07:28,085 --> 01:07:29,085 - Are they with you? - Yeah. 951 01:07:29,086 --> 01:07:30,545 Okay, no, if they're with you, that's fine. 952 01:07:30,546 --> 01:07:32,714 I didn't know it was your daughter. 953 01:07:37,428 --> 01:07:38,720 Misty, Misty, do me a favor. 954 01:07:38,721 --> 01:07:40,930 I'm gonna have them just move back. 955 01:07:40,931 --> 01:07:41,931 Just move back. 956 01:07:41,932 --> 01:07:43,058 Just move back a little bit. 957 01:07:43,059 --> 01:07:44,100 Thank you. 958 01:07:44,101 --> 01:07:46,144 - Hello. - Hi. 959 01:07:46,145 --> 01:07:48,730 - Brilliant performance. - Thank you. 960 01:07:50,983 --> 01:07:51,983 Thank you very much. 961 01:07:51,984 --> 01:07:53,359 This is for my daughter, Allison. 962 01:07:53,360 --> 01:07:55,862 She took a picture with you when she was four. 963 01:07:55,863 --> 01:07:58,073 - Oh, my God. - And that's on the other side. 964 01:07:58,074 --> 01:08:00,075 I have to see this. 965 01:08:00,076 --> 01:08:02,869 - That's you and her. - Oh, my God! 966 01:08:02,870 --> 01:08:04,454 14 years ago, 967 01:08:04,455 --> 01:08:05,872 and she's always wanted to meet you, 968 01:08:05,873 --> 01:08:06,956 and here she is right here. 969 01:08:06,957 --> 01:08:09,042 Oh, my God. 970 01:08:09,043 --> 01:08:10,043 How old am I? 971 01:08:10,044 --> 01:08:11,336 Can take a pic... 972 01:08:11,337 --> 01:08:14,339 I think you're 12, 14. 973 01:08:23,849 --> 01:08:27,811 I remember telling her not too long ago, 974 01:08:27,812 --> 01:08:29,354 with everything that's happening... 975 01:08:29,355 --> 01:08:31,523 the book deals, the Under Armour endorsement, 976 01:08:31,524 --> 01:08:34,234 you know, the Coach deal, 977 01:08:34,235 --> 01:08:35,735 just everything that's going on, 978 01:08:35,736 --> 01:08:39,739 the Diet Dr Pepper, the speaking engagements... 979 01:08:39,740 --> 01:08:42,700 you know, "I... I understand 980 01:08:42,701 --> 01:08:46,663 "that principal is what you're aiming for, 981 01:08:46,664 --> 01:08:48,998 "but what I think you've built... 982 01:08:48,999 --> 01:08:50,917 "what I think we've built... 983 01:08:50,918 --> 01:08:52,127 "is so much bigger than that, 984 01:08:52,128 --> 01:08:55,797 "that, you know, what we have is not something 985 01:08:55,798 --> 01:08:59,551 "that ABT or anyone else can take away from you. 986 01:08:59,552 --> 01:09:02,053 "And whereas before, you felt very alone, 987 01:09:02,054 --> 01:09:03,179 "you've got the world on your side, 988 01:09:03,180 --> 01:09:04,681 "so for all intents and purposes, 989 01:09:04,682 --> 01:09:05,807 "you've won. 990 01:09:05,808 --> 01:09:07,475 You've won, whether you become"... 991 01:09:07,476 --> 01:09:10,937 because in people's minds, she is a principal. 992 01:09:10,938 --> 01:09:12,438 She is the star. 993 01:09:12,439 --> 01:09:13,898 I cannot tell you 994 01:09:13,899 --> 01:09:17,735 how many black men I know who... 995 01:09:17,736 --> 01:09:20,738 I think they'd rather go to Iraq, 996 01:09:20,739 --> 01:09:23,658 have a relationship conversation, 997 01:09:23,659 --> 01:09:26,828 or have root canal than go see a ballet. 998 01:09:26,829 --> 01:09:29,247 But suddenly, they saw an interview with Misty, 999 01:09:29,248 --> 01:09:30,957 and they're like, "You know, aren't you 1000 01:09:30,958 --> 01:09:32,167 "involved with ABT? 1001 01:09:32,168 --> 01:09:33,793 Can I come see a performance?" 1002 01:09:33,794 --> 01:09:35,879 They're following her career. 1003 01:09:35,880 --> 01:09:38,882 They email me things about her. 1004 01:09:38,883 --> 01:09:40,925 That's sort of the hormonal contingent. 1005 01:09:40,926 --> 01:09:43,303 When she gets people in the theater, 1006 01:09:43,304 --> 01:09:45,054 people are actually moved by the art form 1007 01:09:45,055 --> 01:09:47,849 and realize this isn't a bunch of boring people in tutus. 1008 01:09:47,850 --> 01:09:49,726 It's exciting. It's raw. 1009 01:09:49,727 --> 01:09:51,561 It's sexy. It's alive. 1010 01:09:51,562 --> 01:09:54,147 It's about the stuff of human life. 1011 01:10:33,145 --> 01:10:35,480 ♪ I need some time, please ♪ 1012 01:10:35,481 --> 01:10:36,940 ♪ My battery has died ♪ 1013 01:10:36,941 --> 01:10:39,484 ♪ I need to plug in ♪ 1014 01:10:39,485 --> 01:10:40,944 ♪ Just be electrified ♪ 1015 01:10:40,945 --> 01:10:43,238 ♪ I need to reboot ♪ 1016 01:10:43,239 --> 01:10:44,948 ♪ Or I am bound to crack ♪ 1017 01:10:44,949 --> 01:10:48,952 ♪ Don't know how long my backup disk would last ♪ 1018 01:10:48,953 --> 01:10:51,788 Her ultimate goal is to bring people 1019 01:10:51,789 --> 01:10:53,998 of all backgrounds to ballet, 1020 01:10:53,999 --> 01:10:56,251 people who never saw themselves 1021 01:10:56,252 --> 01:10:58,127 sitting inside the Metropolitan Opera House, 1022 01:10:58,128 --> 01:10:59,337 making them feel welcome. 1023 01:11:27,783 --> 01:11:30,201 - Hello. - She told me it's next Sunday. 1024 01:11:30,202 --> 01:11:31,703 It's good to see you. 1025 01:11:31,704 --> 01:11:32,704 Damn! 1026 01:11:37,418 --> 01:11:40,003 I got scared when I came around the corner. 1027 01:11:40,004 --> 01:11:41,212 - What? - Ah! 1028 01:11:41,213 --> 01:11:42,380 You really hadn't been? 1029 01:11:42,381 --> 01:11:43,548 No, I haven't been yet. 1030 01:11:43,549 --> 01:11:45,550 I've just seen photos. 1031 01:11:45,551 --> 01:11:47,969 Oh, my God. 1032 01:11:50,431 --> 01:11:51,889 And you can read your name from it too. 1033 01:11:51,890 --> 01:11:52,890 I was like this, "Ah!" 1034 01:11:55,102 --> 01:11:56,644 I thought I'd missed something drastic. 1035 01:11:56,645 --> 01:11:58,438 - How are you? - How are you? 1036 01:11:58,439 --> 01:12:00,189 Don't do anything crazy. 1037 01:12:00,190 --> 01:12:02,900 - Good to see you. - Hi! 1038 01:12:02,901 --> 01:12:05,486 Oh, my God. Are you ready for this? 1039 01:12:05,487 --> 01:12:06,612 This is amazing. 1040 01:12:06,613 --> 01:12:08,406 We were just talking about you too. 1041 01:12:08,407 --> 01:12:09,449 We were just like... 1042 01:12:09,450 --> 01:12:11,159 And I'm like, "Hold on." 1043 01:12:11,160 --> 01:12:12,452 And she's like, "Do I talk to her?" 1044 01:12:12,453 --> 01:12:13,661 I was like, "I literally see her 1045 01:12:13,662 --> 01:12:14,996 everywhere on Facebook." 1046 01:12:14,997 --> 01:12:16,956 Like, everyone is like, "Wow, look at this." 1047 01:12:19,960 --> 01:12:21,586 Just see 'em work, girl. 1048 01:12:21,587 --> 01:12:22,587 See 'em work. 1049 01:12:22,588 --> 01:12:24,255 - It was nice to meet you. - Thank you so much. 1050 01:12:24,256 --> 01:12:26,632 - Yeah, same here, same here. - Congratulations. 1051 01:12:26,633 --> 01:12:27,967 You're larger than life. 1052 01:12:27,968 --> 01:12:30,011 Now you literally are larger than life. 1053 01:12:30,012 --> 01:12:32,221 We're all so proud of you, and you will what you want. 1054 01:12:38,729 --> 01:12:40,229 - Cheers. - I will what I want. 1055 01:12:40,230 --> 01:12:41,522 Go, Misty. 1056 01:12:43,734 --> 01:12:45,360 Thank you guys for coming down. 1057 01:12:45,361 --> 01:12:46,611 Thank you. 1058 01:12:46,612 --> 01:12:48,613 Aw! 1059 01:12:48,614 --> 01:12:50,698 This is what athletes do. 1060 01:13:29,446 --> 01:13:31,447 I didn't change my shoes this time. 1061 01:13:33,367 --> 01:13:35,118 We will talk about... 1062 01:13:35,119 --> 01:13:37,787 I did exactly what you told me not to do. 1063 01:13:40,082 --> 01:13:41,499 - We will talk. - Okay. 1064 01:13:41,500 --> 01:13:44,085 You're doing very hard for yourself. 1065 01:13:44,086 --> 01:13:46,671 You do it like this and then try 1066 01:13:46,672 --> 01:13:48,464 to stay on the pointe and go there. 1067 01:13:48,465 --> 01:13:49,507 Yeah. 1068 01:13:49,508 --> 01:13:52,427 Don't finish over there, and then we will come. 1069 01:13:52,428 --> 01:13:54,178 It's a major coup, I think, 1070 01:13:54,179 --> 01:13:57,181 that ABT has recently cast Misty 1071 01:13:57,182 --> 01:14:00,184 to play Odette/Odile in "Swan Lake," 1072 01:14:00,185 --> 01:14:04,856 one of the most iconic ballets in the classical repertoire. 1073 01:14:04,857 --> 01:14:06,941 People think ballet, they think "Swan Lake," 1074 01:14:06,942 --> 01:14:09,610 but they don't usually think of a black white swan. 1074 01:14:10,305 --> 01:14:16,195 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from OpenSubtitles.org