The idea that ballet is a white art is absurd and shocking, and it’s gone on for too long. Nothing would make me happier than having a company that reflects society, to have dancers onstage that people can relate to.

Most dancers have no awareness of how they look; half of them think theyre fat. There is anorexia in the ballet world; there are those things.

In France, ballet is on TV ... It's on the eight-o'clock news. It's a cool thing to be a dancer.

Directing is very close to choreography; you deal with space, time, emotions, lighting, making beautiful images.

Nowadays I actually cook Italian-style food more than French heavy sauces. I make a good salad, some great roasted vegetables, grilled fish. Im crazy about L.A. because at the farmers market you find all kinds of wild mushrooms.

Swan Lake is the most difficult thing to portray for a female ballet dancer; it really requires such specific qualities of articulation, agility, strength, and the arm work is something that takes a lot of training.

The idea that ballet is a white art is absurd and shocking, and it’s gone on for too long. Nothing would make me happier than having a company that reflects society, to have dancers onstage that people can relate to.