Celisa Diuana interviewed for "Cupcakes & conversation..."

Cupcakes & conversation with Celisa Diuana, Artist, The Royal Ballet


Photo : Bob Moore

What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
Everyday gives you new challenges. These challenges give me motivation to start the week every Monday morning.

Who would you most like to dance with ?
Among all male ballet stars, Carlos Acosta is definitely one that I’d love to dance with; he’s such an amazing dancer and person.

How do you prepare your pointe shoes ?
After sewing the ribbons and elastics I like to cut the satin off the end of my pointe shoes, then I shave with a Stanley knife and scratch the sole (on the outside of the shoe). It takes me half an hour. If I don’t have the time to do all that to my pointe shoes, I can still dance in them but it doesn’t feel as good!

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
At the moment I’m on holiday. But my daily routine at the Royal Opera House starts at 10.30 with a company class for one hour and 15 minutes. Then rehearsals starts at 12 and go on till 5.30 when I have a performance on that evening then the show starts at 7.30, or 6.30 when I don’t have a performance. So on my break I’d have something to eat at the Opera House canteen, it’s always nice to catch up with some friends that I work with or sometimes I like to go out to get some fresh air.

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite ?
Johnny Depp, Woody Allen, Lula (Brazilian president), George Balanchine (if he was alive) Sylvie Guillem and HRH Queen Elizabeth II.

What would surprise people about you ?
I love watching cartoons.


Photo : Ryoichi Hirano

Who inspired you to dance ?
I have had many people who have inspired me since very early until now. One of them was Lesley Collier dancing ‘La Fille Mal Gardèe’ on a video lent by a friend from my ballet class in Rio de Janeiro when I was about 11 years old.

How would someone else describe you ?
Well…people say that I’m generous, reserved, kind, fun and good company.

What is your best piece of advice ?
Always do something that you love or if you don’t love what you do try to find ways of loving it!

Which role has tested you the most & how ?
The 3rd shade solo in ‘La Bayadère’. It was the most scary experience that I ever had on stage because after a hard (technically and stamina wise) entrée, I had to do a technically very difficult solo and then the coda. I really enjoyed it after the first show. It was worth taking the challenge.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you ?
There are many funny things that have happened to me on stage. One of them was falling off a knee seat on stage during the waltz in Act One in last season’s Swan Lake. I was completely on the floor with legs in the air. I couldn’t stop laughing till the end of the dance.

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create ?
I love pretty costumes. I’d design something simple but pretty like a classical tutu with pearls and sparkles like diamonds and glitter. Also it needs to be flexible so that it wouldn't restrict my movement.

What are you most proud of ?
My father.

Who would play you in the film of your life ?
Audrey Hepburn.

What is your favourite quote ?
You make a better world by making yourself a better person.

Do you have a secret skill which no-one knows about ?
I bake a carrot cake as my specialty; I usually bake it for my friend’s birthdays.