Quotes

(On what it takes to be a professional ballerina): "It doesn't hurt to be pretty."

If these (ballet) critics were to make a list of 10 world choreographers, they would never include me. I'm simply not considered a choreographer to them.

(On retiring from dancing early to take the helm at the New York City Ballet): "I haven't regretted it for one moment."

There are a hundered dancers who need attention, help and coaching. They come and ask you when they need help, not when you have the time to listen.

[on George Balanchine as a teacher]: He told me that I was stubborn and I didn't want to listen to him. He said that if I listened to him, I would have a future with the company - but if I didn't I might as well as go to American Ballet Theatre [A.B.T.] and be a classical dancer.

[Why he left Denmark and The Royal Ballet of Denmark for America and The New York City Ballet]: The Danes are wonderful people, but too insular. I needed to expand.

Balanchine had this habit of calling up at 7 in the morning and not saying who he was. Of course you recognized him. And he said, 'Meet me for breakfast.' So of course you jumped. And we sat down and he said to me, 'You have to take this company. You have to take it when I'm gone.'

I was the only male around who knew his Balanchine's 'Apollo.' I thought I was wonderful. Afterward this old man [Balanchine] showed me how it should have been danced.

There were 12-hour days when I was tempted to say to hell with this, but I've made my peace with fame and glamor. I'm a dancer, not a prince.

[on the publicized angry assault of his wife]: It's one of those freak things that happen in people's lives sometimes. I do not consider myself a violent man in any way. It's never going to happen again.

Choreography is like poison. Once bitten, it's in your system. I find myself thinking of it constantly. When the day comes that I quit dancing, I may actually enjoy it.

Mr. B [George Balanchine] has taught me so much. He made me really look at choreography.

Ballet is pure and demands that you serve something larger than yourself, whether it be beauty or art, or a combination of both. It requires discipline, taking care of yourself, taking care of your own body first. Then it allows you to give of that beauty, the beauty that you acquire by sculpting your own body all your life.

It requires discipline, taking care of yourself, taking care of your own body first.