and they may not be seen or recognized or have been given an opportunity to have a voice, but I’m here representing all of those dancers. / 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! / Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. / All you can do is be your best self. I’ve always felt that I had to be that much more aware of how I present myself.

Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. / All you can do is be your best self. I’ve always felt that I had to be that much more aware of how I present myself. I’m representing more than just me. I think every person should think that way. / To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold. / I think that the ideal physique and look of a ballerina is always changing with different eras. And it's continuing to change. / Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina. Be strong, be fearless, be beautiful. / All you can do is be your best self. I’ve always felt that I had to be that much more aware of how I present myself. I’m representing more than just me. I think every person should think that way. / To be empathetic to everyone around you, I think, is such a powerful thing to hold. / I think that the ideal physique and look of a ballerina is always changing with different eras. And it's continuing to change. / Perseverance has always just been something that was in me. And it was a tool that came in very handy as a ballerina. / I say over and over again that I am just standing on the shoulders of so many who have set this path for me, and they may not be seen or recognized or have been given an opportunity to have a voice, but I'm here representing all of those dancers.