BENJAMIN MILLEPIED

When I see the attention movie stars get, it doesn't make me want to be in that position at all.

'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.

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

I did grow up in France, and even though I didn't go to the school or dance with the Paris Opera Ballet, I absorbed similar ideas in my training. I understand the scale of a big company. I danced for one for almost 20 years.

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. I'm crazy about L.A. because at the farmers' market you find all kinds of wild mushrooms.

I'm interested in films, in directing.

I am passionate about ballet.

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

I was born in France. I grew up in Africa.

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

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

I am passionate about ballet.

I did grow up in France, and even though I didn't go to the school or dance with the Paris Opera Ballet, I absorbed similar ideas in my training. I understand the scale of a big company. I danced for one for almost 20 years.

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

I was born in France. I grew up in Africa.

'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.

I'm interested in films, in directing.

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.

When I see the attention movie stars get, it doesn't make me want to be in that position at all.

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