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You've given so many memorable performances, "Swan Lake" and "Firebird" come to mind. What keeps you motivated to conquer new and challenging roles? There's just something that we have in us as dancers, that it's not necessarily about the audiences that are there. It's this need to prove to ourselves, to prove to our directors and our teachers that we're listening, we're learning and we're getting the feedback. I think it's just ingrained in us as dancers that we want to be as perfect as a human being can be. I think that's the driving force. When you get on stage a lot of that changes, and I think I'm definitely aware of the people in the audience that are maybe seeing ballet for the first time or that really feel a connection to me and what I represent. In the end, that's what performance is about. You have two books out now "Life in Motion" and "Firebird" but you also have a third entitled "Ballerina Body" which is due out in 2017 which focuses on inspiring women to reshape their bodies. Can you tell me a bit about what potential readers can expect? It's so exciting! A lot of people often ask me what I eat or how I take care of myself or how I stay energized or what cross training is involved. This is also the chance for me to represent dancers in a true way. I think it's amazing that we're in this time where ballet has really been in the forefront of what it means to be an athlete and how women want to look healthy and fit and strong. It's given me the opportunity to share with [readers] the techniques and rituals I use and how you can form an emotional, even meditation- like connection to exercise.. I'm sharing it in a very accessible way through different types of movement and sharing the foods that I cook and words that I live by that keep me motivated not just as a performer, but as a woman. It's super exciting to be able to give all these little tidbits of information to the public. You're also a New Yorker now. What do you love most about living in New York City? It's unpredictable. Growing up in the environments I did, I was very insecure and sheltered. Unpredictability was probably one of the most terrifying things for me, but New York has helped me grow. It's challenged me, it's taught me about being a 'grown up' and being responsible for myself, and the fun things like learning about food and fashion. There's just so much to offer. I feel like I can travel anywhere in the world now because I live in New York and I'm surviving. [Laughs]. As someone who has worked very hard to get to where you are today, what's your way of taking time for yourself— enjoying the luxuries of success? I would say, whenever I have an evening that isn't too late, I'm not someone that's going to spend that time out on the town. I like to be at home and I love cooking. That's when I can really relax and listen to music, but I love to travel and just escape in that way from the chaos of New York—as much as I love it. With all the pressures of my career, I think traveling, cooking and listening to music are my favorite things to do. What's your favorite destination to travel to? There's so many! In the beginning of my career, as a young adult, Asia was one of my favorite places to travel to and perform— specifically Tokyo. Now, I love Paris, I love Italy, I love Greece; all I need is some good shopping and maybe a beach and I'm good. [Laughs]. Who is your favorite artist of all time? Who's been the most influential to you? There's been so many dancers that have been a huge part of me finding my identity and motivating me. Gelsey Kirkland and Paloma Herrera were huge dancers in my life that inspired me. As funny as it may sound, Mariah Carey is definitely someone I felt that I connected with and related to with being biracial and succeeding. In the early '90s when she first came out, I was seven years old and still figuring out who I wanted to be. There was something about her that I was really drawn to and that helps me understand why other minority dancers are drawn to me. It's because they can see themselves through me and see themselves in that way. V U E N J . C O M 79 POINT OF VUE

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