Young, Black and Gifted: Diversity at the Paris Opera

Youcef Khemane
2024-04-06

As the first black Danseur Étoile, Guillaume Diop is thrust into becoming a role model and a national symbol for diversity.
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58 min

At age 20, Guillaume Diop risked his career to sign a manifesto against racism at the Paris Opera. But just three years later, he was named a Danseur Étoile — a star dancer — in the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the world’s most prestigious companies. As the first Black Danseur Étoile, Guillaume is thrust into becoming a role model and a national symbol for diversity. But, as YOUNG, BLACK AND GIFTED shows us, in intimate conversations with family and friends, he sometimes questions whether he is ready for this responsibility.