As a dancer, I am either in something glamorous or I am rocking up to work in a leotard and my pyjamas. Dressing in between is quite difficult.
— Francesca Hayward
I've had to learn not be freaked out by big roles... and to take it all one step at a time, quite literally.
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 don't like wearing frilly, puffy skirts.
Sometimes I wonder if people really want my smelly old shoes, but some people seem quite thrilled by them. So I'm like, OK, well, this is something you can't buy, so there you go.
It's very British of me, but I'll always choose beer over anything else.
The force for change I represent is of course from being a mixed-race ballerina.
When I was younger I used to dance to lots of ballet videos.
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 learned after a while that you are the only one who can take care of yourself.
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.
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 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.
I love to laugh as much as possible.
Everyone knows that I'm not very nice when I'm hungry.
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 would love to be a fashion designer but that's easier said than done.
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!'
My friends and family would not let me get big-headed - they make sure I stay grounded.
I've always been distracted by shopping and when I'm not dancing, I'm probably shopping.
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'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.
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.
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.
When I was younger, in my living room, I used to put 'Cats' the stage musical video on and I used to copy Victoria.
No one recognises me in the street.
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.
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.
For a long time everyone had a stereotype of ballet that it was easy and that we were just prancing around. But thanks to the Internet, and being able to share live performances and broadcast them to the world so that everyone can experience the ballet, I think it's inspiring people we wouldn't normally be able to reach.
It's just very surreal for someone who doesn't sing in public to suddenly be singing with Jennifer Hudson.
Finding ways to unwind and switch off is just as important as working very hard.
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.
It took me a while to process myself as a cat - it's not something you see every day.
I recycle and try to reuse bags in shops but, like most people, I don't do as well as I could.
I'd definitely like to do some more film acting.
I feel like when you've got a good outfit on it makes your day, right?
I love fashion. It's actually - after ballet - my favourite thing since I was little.
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.
I got the performance gene.
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.
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.
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'm rubbish at maths but I would like to have been a pilot.
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.
Manon' still feels like it didn't really happen, because it is such a mammoth ballet and I can't believe I did that.
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've always just done ballet, and I feel like I'm sort of living the dream.
You can't live your life with regrets about not doing something. It's so much better to just go for it.
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.
I believe that when we die, we die - but I believe people's energy stays behind.
