Dancer

When I was a kid I always liked scratching myself - making shapes, making drawings, and I always thought I would have a tattoo.

The most amazing feeling in the world is destroying. It takes so much strength and patience and time to build, and destruction is fast, fast, fast. Explosive.

A footballer in three weeks earns what a dancer makes in a year.

A few months ago, I was sure that I was going to stop dancing to become a good actor. But then when I was by myself for a week, I asked myself, What are you doing? You have that talent. Use it to the fullest.

In England, ballet is kind of closed. They are opening up a little bit, but it was always something not for the general public. So you don't get fame, like a football star or a film star. And if you don't get fame, you can't do other stuff.

It's important not to forget what parents did for you, what friends are.

I always hoped I would be injured so I didn't have to dance any more.

I struggle to get the big companies to trust me, or be willing to work with me.

It's true that I got a bit lost. But that was because I had grown up in a system where I never made my own decisions.

It's not about being modern or classical or about being sexy: it's all about exchanging energies with the audience.

I would like to do more projects involving artists from film, fashion and music. That's the spark for me.

Well, that's why ballet is one of the hardest disciplines - you kind of stay childlike, because you never really experience childhood, so you try to stay in that.

Sometimes I don't eat all day, then have four meals between 8 P. M. and 4 A. M.

It is different in Russia. Here there is a television channel devoted to opera and dance.

I would love for dancers to be treated better and for dancers to have support, for dancers to have managers, agents. This is the only art form that does not have a proper support system.

As a dancer, you dance and you shut up. You don't open your mouth. I started using the media as psychiatrists, I guess, they were someone to talk to.

If I had the choice I'd be a boxer or a footballer.

It doesn't matter if you are gay or straight: the man should have strength to take care of families and take care of loved ones.

I got the same recognition in Russia in one week that I got in London after five years.

You live the life of a dancer. It is not your job, it is your life, and you have to love it so much to be able to take it every day for six days a week, sometimes seven.