Since the E.U. referendum I've been keen to know more and be a bit more active. It highlighted how important politics is to our lives.
— Francesca Hayward
I'm quite relaxed - I know it's important not to get too uptight about things as a dancer, but when it came to my voice I realised that everything you eat, everything you drink affects it.
I feel that while my body's able and I'm young, I'd have so many regrets if I didn't go for it now with the ballet, because that's everything I've always wanted to do.
I remember being asked for the first time about my race, and it really took me by surprise, just that it was a point that needed to be raised - and then I quickly realised that it was a point that everyone wanted to talk about!
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 feel in control when I'm on stage.
I already don't read reviews, I don't seek them out. Sometimes my family will tell me if there's a nice one.
Telling the story from start to finish, that adrenaline fuels me and keeps me going.
I love acting, but that's also kind of what I love about ballet - the acting. So, obviously, film is like an extension of that, which is amazing, but it's also something I can do a bit later on as well.
When I'm performing I just want to tell the audience something. I want every person watching to walk away feeling something.
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.
I just want always to move people at every performance. If someone cries, that's brilliant.
I always critique myself but I'm realistic - I know I can do better but I'm never that hard on myself, either.
It's not a normal every day thing to see yourself with fur, but I loved it.
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 sew my own shoes - I don't trust anyone else to sew the ribbons exactly how I like them.
I'd like to be remembered a little bit for my performances.
I didn't expect to be so tired sometimes on stage. There are moments when you're so tired you could pretty much collapse.
