Francesca Hayward Quotes

In ballet, it doesn’t matter who you are. If you’re good, it’s such a rare thing, so unusual, that the talent will go wherever you want it to go.

I love all of the ballets that have a really strong story in them where I get to play a character. I don’t enjoy the ones that are more technical without a story line and it’s just me on stage dancing.

For people who know about dance, ‘Cats’ is a musical that really celebrates dance, and there are so many different styles of dance in this film, too. I was really looking forward to being part of that.

I believe that when we die, we die – but I believe people’s energy stays behind.

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 just want always to move people at every performance. If someone cries, that’s brilliant.

I always enjoy ballet when you can read the situation very precisely, when I could tell you exactly which sentence that person is saying to that person even when they’re not speaking and just moving their hand.

Even in the early stages of my career I’ve had to dance with principal dancers. I could have easily freaked out and got nervous, but I think that helped when it came to trying to forget I was doing a scene with Judi Dench.

I got the performance gene.

When I was younger, in my living room, I used to put ‘Cats’ the stage musical video on and I used to copy Victoria.

I learned after a while that you are the only one who can take care of yourself.

There was never really a moment that I decided that I wanted to be a ballet dancer. It’s always just felt like it’s what I was meant to do.

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 had to learn about how to use my voice as an instrument, like a muscle in my body when I dance. I had no idea how much you could do with your voice and how much you have to look after it.

I love to laugh as much as possible.

It took me a while to process myself as a cat – it’s not something you see every day.

I would love to be a fashion designer but that’s easier said than done.

Obviously I would never have agreed to be a part of something that would change the colour of my skin had I been playing a human. The bottom line is, I’m playing a cat. There is no more discussion. I am a cat that’s white, let’s not read into it.

I was a waitress at a local pub. I was really bad with money and it taught me the value of it as I was on minimum wage.

Manon’ still feels like it didn’t really happen, because it is such a mammoth ballet and I can’t believe I did that.

At aged eleven, you’re learning taking criticism every day and making it a positive thing – otherwise you will never make it in ballet.

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.

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!’

When I was a wee baby, if I heard any music, I would just get up in my buggy or my pram and start bobbing around.

It’s not a normal every day thing to see yourself with fur, but I loved it.

It’s just very surreal for someone who doesn’t sing in public to suddenly be singing with Jennifer Hudson.

When I was younger I used to dance to lots of ballet videos.

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.

I didn’t expect to be so tired sometimes on stage. There are moments when you’re so tired you could pretty much collapse.

You can’t live your life with regrets about not doing something. It’s so much better to just go for it.

With Juliet, if you read the Shake’speare there is quite a clear idea of how she should be, but with the ballet you can get your teeth into her even more because there are loads of moments when you realise she is growing up.

Everyone knows that I’m not very nice when I’m hungry.

I’d definitely like to do some more film acting.

My friends and family would not let me get big-headed – they make sure I stay grounded.

I’m rubbish at maths but I would like to have been a pilot.

I love fashion. It’s actually – after ballet – my favourite thing since I was little.

On stage I have to amplify some of my emotions with my back or make something a little bit more obvious because my audience might be very far away from me, or very high up and find it harder to read what I’m trying to express.

I already don’t read reviews, I don’t seek them out. Sometimes my family will tell me if there’s a nice one.

When I found out that I was going be Juliet, it felt much more real than ‘Manon,’ because ‘Manon’ is one of those ballets that you probably do after Juliet, so that never really sunk in to be honest.

I’m so happy that I ventured out beyond the Royal Ballet – which is my home, and I love it – but I would never have pushed myself outside of my comfort zone.

When I’m performing I just want to tell the audience something. I want every person watching to walk away feeling something.

Finding ways to unwind and switch off is just as important as working very hard.

I always critique myself but I’m realistic – I know I can do better but I’m never that hard on myself, either.

I’ve loved CATS since I was a child – particularly the role of Victoria, so when the opportunity to audition came about I was very interested.

Telling the story from start to finish, that adrenaline fuels me and keeps me going.

No one recognises me in the street.