What does dance give you? The freedom to be who you are and do what you want to do.

Do you know what it took for Balanchine to put me, a black man, on stage with a white woman? This was 1957, before civil rights. He showed me how to take her [holding her delicately by the wrist]. He said, ‘put your hand on top.’ The skin colors were part of the choreography. He saw what was going to happen in the world and put it on stage.

Walk into a room, knowing you are somebody, somebody special. Don't ever let them smash that or pull you down.

What does dance give you? The freedom to be who you are and do what you want to do.

If you feel someone suspicious is following you, the best thing to do is to talk on your cell phone, Even if you just act as if someone is on the other end, it will make them think twice.

Guilt, remorse. It's what separates us from the animals.