End of my 9th season at the Paris Opera Ballet

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Two days ago, at the première of Rudolf Nureyev’s Sleeping Beauty (second run of the year) at Opéra Bastille, I sprained my ankle during the finale — just a few minutes before the curtain fell. I was already feeling a bit tired after a demanding week of stage rehearsals, but reassured after a solid Générale the evening before, where I had danced the Bluebird pas de deux with my lovely partner Hortense.

My first thought was: “Sh*t!” Two upcoming shows of Bluebird, one in two days (Sunday — today), the next in four (Tuesday). I needed a few hours — sharp pain at rest, difficulty walking — to realise that entrechats and tours en l’air would be out of the question. And depending on what my doctor tells me tomorrow, this might have been my last performance of the season.

So I took a moment to reflect on the year.

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I thought this was my 10th season with the company — I joined in 2015 — but I realised it’s only my 9th. Still, it’s coming to an end in just two weeks. And without a doubt, this has been the best season I’ve ever had. One I never imagined possible. Here’s a glimpse:

• Rehearsed a demi-soloist role in Mayerling ;
• Danced the Donizetti pas de deux with Hortense ;
• Performed a solo role in Paquita‘s pas de trois, with Hortense and Clara ;
• Completed the international wealth management course at AUREP — and passed the exam ;
• Performed Béjart’s Boléro at Palais Garnier ;
• Organised and danced in my first gala with the Hong Kong Arts Festival with international ballet stars ;
• Overcame one of my biggest fears by dancing the Bluebird pas de deux at Bastille with my partner Elizabeth ;
• Completed the short film project with Harrison Garret ;
• Performed Wun Sze Chan’s solo Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune with Alexandre Tharaud in Lisbon ;
• Took on another solo role, the Faune in Manuel Legris’ Sylvia, with my partner Éléonore ;
• Brought my family to discover some of the best spots in Paris — and treated them to a Michelin-starred meal ;
• Achieved the best year so far with my firm PerformanceS by EMD — in just six months, we did more than 350% of what we used to do per year over the past three years.

Even writing this, I can hardly believe it myself.

And to think — it all started with a season full of doubt. I told myself: I don’t know how much longer I’ll be dancing, so let me live this season as if it were my last. Give it everything. Live it fully. I guess it worked.

I’ve learned a few things along the way:

• Habits are powerful — good or bad. They shape your days. The key is to make a choice, and stick with it through the first few tough days ;
• Trust your gut. Deep down, you usually know what’s right for you — and what you truly want ;
• Fear fades when you face it again and again ;
• Belief alone does 80% of the work ;
• Social media is, in most cases, your worst enemy.

I’m extremely grateful. I’ve felt surrounded by love this season — and the support and kindness of my colleagues meant the world to me. I was truly touched.

And now, I feel excited — and much more confident about the years to come.