Guillaume Diop, more than just the first black star of Paris Opera

He is the first black person to achieve the exalted status of an "etoile" dancer at the Paris Opera, but that is only a small indication of what makes Guillaume Diop one of the most exciting ballet talents of his generation.

At 23, Diop bypassed the rank of "premier danseur" that precedes "etoile" (star) when he was promoted earlier this month, a rare move in the strictly hierarchical 354-year-old company.

"I have the feeling that I'm dreaming," Diop told AFP.

But those who have followed his short career and seen his explosive leaps and charismatic performances on-stage are not surprised.

Since 2021, he has taken over lead roles in "Romeo and Juliet," "Swan Lake" and "La Bayadere" when more senior dancers were injured.

For "La Bayadere," he had just three days to prepare for the lead alongside the "queen" of the company, Dorothee Gilbert.

"It wasn't easy. I had some crazy days. I had to prove that I was up to the task," he said.

He has no time for the inevitable online backlash claiming that he was only promoted due to "positive discrimination."
"If I was given these roles, it was because I deserved it," he said.

But nor does he mind being referred to "as the first black etoile." His promotion has been big news in France, where the Paris Opera still has precious few non-white or non-French dancers.

"It doesn't bother me because it's a fact," he said. "If there had been someone like me back when I started dance, it would have been much easier for my parents and I. It would have reassured them."

'Hard to believe'

Diop was raised in Paris by a Senegalese father and a French mother.

They couldn't believe the news when he received his recent accolade, as is...