A biography for Francesca Haywardhasn’t been written yet.
“I've always been distracted by shopping and when I'm not dancing, I'm probably shopping.”
“The force for change I represent is of course from being a mixed-race ballerina.”
“I already don't read reviews, I don't seek them out. Sometimes my family will tell me if there's a nice one.”
“Telling the story from start to finish, that adrenaline fuels me and keeps me going.”
“I remember being asked for the first time about my race, and it really took me by surprise, just that it was a point that needed to be raised - and then I quickly realised that it was a point that everyone wanted to talk about!”
“I'm quite relaxed - I know it's important not to get too uptight about things as a dancer, but when it came to my voice I realised that everything you eat, everything you drink affects it.”
“I have so many clothes, but really, I have the same variations of the same thing, usually black jeans, black jumpers, black double-breasted coats.”
“I always critique myself but I'm realistic - I know I can do better but I'm never that hard on myself, either.”
“I got the performance gene.”
“My dad was teaching in Kenya, and my grandparents came to visit me there. They brought me to England, and my dad continued to teach for a bit after, so I just continued to live with my grandparents, because that became home, really.”
“I'm very proud of the colour of my skin and that I'm inspiring people from all backgrounds, but I think it will be great for the next mixed-race or black female principal dancer if she doesn't have to be asked about that.”
“I sew my own shoes - I don't trust anyone else to sew the ribbons exactly how I like them.”
“It sounds a cliche but when I'm on stage I'm at my most relaxed, I feel most like myself. When I have the music and the costumes and everyone else around me, that's when I feel most free.”
“Dancewear is very different from sportswear. Sportswear doesn't quite suit what we need to do with our bodies, so I'm always fiddling with my clothes in the studio.”
“I definitely have been nervous, but often I get more nervous performing with the corps de ballet than doing a solo. There's so much pressure doing a group number because if you muck it up, you've ruined it for everyone.”
“At aged eleven, you're learning taking criticism every day and making it a positive thing - otherwise you will never make it in ballet.”
“My favorite leisurewear brands are Lululemon and Nike. They feel like a second skin, they never restrict my movements, and they keep me cool and warm.”
“It took me a while to process myself as a cat - it's not something you see every day.”
“I am embarrassed to say that I regularly wake up to a message from my Matchesfashion.com personal shopper, saying, 'Hey, it's Charlene, just letting you know about this handbag before everyone else!'”
“I don't like wearing frilly, puffy skirts.”