“Some people even think that I'm still just not right for it [ballet]. And I think it's shocking because they hear those words from critics saying I'm too bulky, I'm too busty. And then they meet me in person and they're like, you look like a ballerina. And I think it's just something maybe that I will never escape from, those people who are narrow-minded. But my mission, my voice, my story, my message, is not for them. And I think it's more important to think of the people that I am influencing and helping to see a broader picture of what beauty is.” PeopleThinkingLooksPersonsStillsImportantHelpingStoriesVoiceInfluenceLike YouMessagesCriticsMissionsBalletShockingBallerinaNarrow-minded Author:Misty Copeland
“I never knew I wanted to become a ballerina. I was discovered at the age of 13. I had a love for movement even though I had no exposure to dance other than what I saw in music videos, like hip-hop music videos. But I knew that I loved moving.” AgeWantedMovingSawsMovementHip HopVideoHipsHopsExposureBallerinaHip Hop Music Author:Misty Copeland
“A lot of people think, "Oh I'm going to eat whatever I want and then go to the gym." And I've definitely been one of those people and it just doesn't give me the results that I need to have the physique of a ballerina.” PeopleThinkingWantNeedsGivingResultsGive MeGymBallerinaPhysique Author:Misty Copeland
“I haven’t come from the typical path or background of someone who would make it to this level as a ballerina. When it came to my childhood-growing up in a single-parent home, often struggling financially-my mother definitely instilled in me and my siblings this strength, this will, to just continue to survive and succeed.” HomeMotherParentLevelsStruggleGrowing UpPathGrowingChildhoodHavensSucceedBackgroundsTypicalSiblingBallerinaSingle ParentMy SiblingsParents Home Author:Misty Copeland
“Maybe I'm seeing myself in a different way than the people in the audience see me, 'cause to me, I think I look like a ballerina and I feel like a ballerina. But maybe I'm not seeing what other people are seeing.” PeopleThinkingWayFeelsLooksDifferentCausesAudienceSeeingDifferent WaysBallerina Author:Misty Copeland
“I do think Under Armour is setting a new example for what a ballerina is, and that you can be feminine and an athlete and represent what a woman is at the same time.” ThinkingExampleAthleteSettingSettingsFeminineBallerinaArmourUnder Armour Author:Misty Copeland
“How difficult it is to exist, that we are athlete and artist. We have injuries. People don't see the hard side of being a ballerina. They just see this beautiful and effortless thing, and they assume it's easy and cute. I hate when people say it's cute!” PeopleBeautifulArtistHateEasyDifficultI HateAssumingAthleteCuteInjuryBallerina Author:Misty Copeland
“I know there are a lot of eyes on me now from young girls, and it makes me so proud. The only Black woman examples aren't Rihanna and Beyoncé. It makes me proud that I am a classical ballerina and they can look at me and see another way to succeed. That is setting a new standard.” EyeGirlBlackProudSucceedLook At MeBlack WomenBallerina Author:Misty Copeland
“My body is very different from most of the dancers I dance with. My hair is different than most I dance with. But I didn't let that stop me. Black girls rock and can be ballerinas.” DifferentBodyGirlBlackRocksHairEmpoweringDancerEmpowering WomenBallerinaBlack Girl Author:Misty Copeland
