Meet The First Black Star Of New York City Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ | TODAY

[@jennyelsie]

Not that it matters but she's SO PRETTY

[@silentnight3970]

Looks shouldn't matter, unfortunately they do in this world.

[@jennyelsie]

@@silentnight3970 😓

[@susansauls8902]

That is part of the requirement in ballet. It is first and foremost, an aesthetic. Yes, of course, she is a beautiful girl, but talented and accomplished in classical ballet as well for her age. Be honest, people will not pay $200 a seat for a ballet performance to see and experience anything less than an aesthetic that will take their breath away when that curtain opens, or a dancer enters stage. No one goes to the ballet to observe mediocrity in any way. Yes, it is a brutal fact.

[@bleh4299]

Silent Night what “looks” I believe everyone is beautiful

[@emmakate2376]

Bleh ! Not me 😀

[@eperke2933]

everyone talking about charlotte but i stan the girl in the rat costume, that takes real balls.

[@jupitertheplanet.]

true. dude.... getting cast as a rat for nutcracker sucks

[@user-iy8le1zw1s]

i was a rat this year... it was terrible 😂

[@kennedybrown1809]

I did it I high key loved it I was just happy to be apart of the show

[@kerysamara]

I saw, her on get out my room!

[@jupitertheplanet.]

When you audition hoping you’ll get snow.... But you get rat king

[@fruff30]

Why is she considered African American but not Asian American too? Let's not forget she does have an Asian father.

[@mulbahhh8315]

fruff30 cause there not speaking about race

[@lailonnib]

fruff30 stfu let us have something

[@H20fanatic20]

Lola Bee they always do that though, they never want the black part to have anything good at least , it always has to be the other part. She both, but the world will see her as black, and so this is what matters right now

[@sunflowerpresent4463]

Erasing a part of any individuals culture is ignorant and insensitive, regardless of what part. Makes you no better than the white people who have done that for years. As someone who’s actually blasian, I think it’s safe to say that I’ve seen even less people who look like me in media.

[@jamirec7731]

Maybe they already had an asian girl play her? Idk

[@MsRose00]

For the people saying “Who cares?! Let’s not make it about race. Just be happy for the child.” We are happy for the child! But representation matters and it’s easy for people who are white to sit around and say things like “Who cares?!” when you’re constantly represented. There are talented children of color who never thought things like this were possible for them. It matters!

[@Dolphin808Dreamer]

MsRose00, PREACH!

[@charlenejenkins5018]

Thank you 👏🏾👏🏾

[@kylief7516]

Randall 45 I agree with you. It’s like saying that White people should stop doing things out of their culture and feel represented. We don’t always get represented not everything is originally from Europe lol

[@sarahwashington00]

THANK YOU

[@YadaWhat]

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@SydneeCoggins]

Biracial is a better term, it neither disincludes or overshadows either race. ❤

[@msrenee7023]

she is not black.

[@mommamia4630]

ms renee what’s wrong with you? She is black.

[@pearlsrevealed]

@@lizapaza7046 We don't have to subscribe to white people standards just because they own the media. African Americans are waking up and acknowledging biracials and the need to protect the AA phenotype for economic, political and cultural reasons. Change is afoot. We are redrawing our boundary lines. The little dancer is precious her; Asian heritage should be acknowledged. Yes I know that Asians don't acknowledge half of nothing. As half black biracials continue to be more vocal they will create awareness and change the white media definition of who they are just as we are being vocal and redefining who we AAs are.

[@aliciapinkcotarot]

ms renee so what is she

[@temperature4984]

ms renee in Asia she would be considered a black Asian not black and Asian.

[@ericad5657]

Amazing! Congrats Charlotte! Only 11 yrs old and already so graceful and poised. You are an inspiration! And the cutest!!

[@etwrecipe]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jessicajamesspeaks]

Bravo Charlotte 👏🏽👏🏽🩰🩰

[@beautifulrose69]

She's so beautiful and talented.

[@justme-ew3ri]

It’s about representation, she is biracial and for the Filipino and black community she is doing big things. But someone else said and Asian people or and Asian person has played her character... which doesn’t take away from the fact that she is biracial but... they are highlighting the fact that she is black.

[@rakhil1830]

just me I totally hate the loading of black. as soon as I saw this pretty little girl I could tell she was mixed with an oriental ethnic back ground but could tell which one.

[@justme-ew3ri]

Rakhi L was “loading” the right word? No I knew she was mixed

[@lisangelblack9070]

@Candy Reign Black person...what does this mean?... shes dancing for herself and her fam. Get a life. Shes Black. Deal with it. She called herself Black.

[@hmm6401]

@Candy Reign you know you have some white some Indian and some Asian in you? So you are not fully black. Your parents might be “black” even though they also have some other stuff in them, but no one is fully black, white, Asian, Indian etc. So you can say a Mostly black person here

[@purple00k]

Candy Reign I have to agree... black would be like miss universe with dark skin and kinky very curly hair... this girl is mixed... but whites like to label her like this to avoid ever making it obvious that a fully black person may not be given this role anytime soon

[@SuzieQ871]

She is an absolute doll!

[@stella8539]

She’s black AND Asian!! We love a mixed race princess and representation woohoo

[@amnedits4898]

Sagittarius why is it sad? Races uniting is beautiful.

[@jessicajamesspeaks]

My nieces Mackenzie and Madelyn are also blasian (Black and Korean) and I love them to death 🥰🥰

[@Honeyred628]

She looks like Amandla Stenberg (Rue from the hunger games)

[@planetshlorp]

ngl thought this was her at first (younger her) 💀

[@Honeyred628]

Its Heaven legittttt she looks so much like her!!!!

[@jazzinikki01]

I wasn’t the only one who thought of that.

[@JinjiSayson]

No, she looks nothing like her. Not all brown people look the same 🙄

[@friendusesthisaccountnocom9928]

Honey ALDC omg yesssssss like I thought it was young Rue.

[@koelael2660]

She’s mixed with Asian and African American, so she doesn’t represent the African American females, she represents the mixed kids. But still kudos to her.

[@bnwo]

she's black.

[@Summerbeeuty]

N.W.A. If she was white and Japanese what would you call her ? 🍿

[@greendro6410]

@@Summerbeeuty She still will be biracial

[@RunnyBabbits]

N.W.A. Lol you’re commenting everywhere that she’s black. Can’t you accept that she’s half black, half asian? Why are you so adamant that she’s just black?

[@Summerbeeuty]

Greendro A.K.A Emerali Tha King Exactly, notice that the other commenter that my question was directed to didn’t reply😂

[@jtaj6437]

Beautiful young lady, shame almost 2020 and America is still having the first black fill in the blank.

[@euroesc5013]

J Taj Well, the Clara/Marie is supposed to be white so...

[@euroesc5013]

ExtraSwirl Well, the story is not necessarily set in Russia but the characters are most likely european or american (they’re rich so even if they are american, they should be white). The dancers who play the arabian girl and the chinese should be of the same ethnic background as their characters though. It would be nice too if the russians and the spaniards were really russian and spanish too

[@priyanka-sk7fx]

Rita Vilar are you implying on white people are rich in america lmao

[@gcsugirl]

She’s biracial, not black, not letting biracials represent me.

[@KarlaLopez-qi9yd]

That’s because not so many black people want to do it.

[@LEAH-bu4bp]

I believe biracial is a better term. But I’m am happy for this girl 👏🏾👏🏾

[@hanacharyislost5047]

WickedLeah biracial wouldnt have made the point they needed as she might not be the first biracial person.

[@earlem9771]

The point is racist American sees no difference. Do your research. Black is what people perceive you to be upon seeing you. Biracial is a subcategory

[@cn3495]

U need help

[@Aquarian231990]

yes biracial

[@Aquarian231990]

@@earlem9771 well Black is the wrong term to call our people

[@drishtiiiii]

The fact that she is not WHITE and is in the starring role is a big deal. I’m happy for you! ❤️

[@chrissymullins1579]

Now why is it such a big deal? There are famous actors, well known athletes, and even A PRESIDENT whom are African American. Moronic.

[@bunnysenpaimon6742]

Chrissy Mullins Because despite all the progress, it’s still not quite “normal.” It’s a big deal in ballet, which is especially considered to be a “white” sport.

[@kayla-xl9rf]

Chrissy Mullins Kinda gross how you can’t be happy for a little girl. You should probably fix your attitude.

[@popeye-pi7ci]

@@bunnysenpaimon6742 when did ballet become a sport u fool.. that says it all?

[@chrissymullins1579]

@@nitabailey426 This was a moronic comment.

[@experiment0003]

They've sure redefined the meaning of black. If she's biracial, call her biracial. There are black kids who are still marginalized!

[@faflamingo2193]

Glad I brought the popcorn.

[@bnwo]

she's black. not a single person would even think of her as anything else. what's funny is that 99% of black people in america are biracial, but they still call themselves black, so why is this girl now all of a sudden biracial? biracial mean two races. if you're 99% black and 1% white, you're biracial.

[@msg360]

@@bnwo black woman love to live vicariously through Mixed woman... the girl in this video is probably only 25% black her mother looks mixed and her dad is asian.. this video doesn't hold the same weight if she was a full black or 90% black woman with dark skin and stereotypical west african features . If you accept white media making her seem like full black than these are the girls that will eventually replace full blown african woman in media if black woman accept and live vicariously through them... i see it all the time .. there would be a group of girls two dark skin and one mixed girl .... the dark skin girls hang with the mix girl becuase she gets all the attention and they live vicariously through her to try and piggy back off her , yall got to stop it and push for more full black girls in media.... and every black person in America is not really mixed... mixed is having two parents of different races... not becuase your great great great great grand dad was a white slave owner.... it doesn't deny the fact we have some white dna in us but that doesn't make us white.. I found out that i'm 7% white Russian and British but that's only 7% you can't call me white or even Mixed i'm black. the girl in this video is not just black she is Biracial but she is African American.... and you also say if people look at her they think nothing but black, actually there are millions of Dark skin Asian people from thailand and other southern asian countries. Even though I think some of the darker skin asian people have some african history

[@bnwo]

@@msg360 tl'dr.

[@msg360]

@@bnwo dont know what that means but ok

[@felipegambino6543]

Biracial and black are not synonymous.

[@monica3636]

Exactly !! I’m half Filipino, and I’m also proud that a fellow Filipino is doing great things, bc just like the african American community, Asians experience racial inequality too, so seeing her star in the nutcracker is amazing for our community just as much as it is for the African American community :)

[@hmm6401]

M A ain’t that the truth she is actually supporting both Asian and her black side :)

[@mayaoccomy8916]

M A thank you because there is yet to be one that looks like us..... 100 percent melanin. But I’m still happy for her

[@KristieBach]

Thank you

[@felipegambino6543]

Layla Petes you can say that you are “black and *****,” but I don’t think you should just cancel off one side.

[@Bravoyeet]

Stop one dropping everyone she is mixed race

[@mlleali9093]

C G thank u

[@sweets3445]

She still has black in her. Why are you upset about that? She even self identified as the first black girl

[@reinal7896]

sweets3445 Bc it erases blackness for one. For two, it denies her other half. We biracial people exist, stop avoiding it

[@Summerbeeuty]

sweets3445 If she was white and Asian you wouldn’t be one dropping her. We only do that when the person has a black parent, ask yourself why is that. It needs to stop 🛑

[@MercyAlwyz23]

Summerbeeuty exactly!

[@commonnobodylulublue790]

Can we leave the one drop rule in 2019 I’m so sick of seeing people who aren’t fully black labeled as black when they have a whole HALF of their race that is being neglected , she is both black and Asian not just black it’s so crazy bc the media would never label her as being the first “Asian American” so why is it acceptable for he to be the first “African American”

[@commonnobodylulublue790]

Playfulpanthress who is we?

[@commonnobodylulublue790]

Playfulpanthress I’m all for African American representation but this unfortunately is not it for me...she is a mixed girl and will forever be a mixed girl, me and her are not the same and this is coming from a person who is 100 percent black UNDOUBTABLY. My point is is why are mixed people always claimed by black people when u hardly ever here there other side claim them?

[@huntey8709]

The black genes are dominant. That’s why. Usually the BLACK genes dominate. Just like when someone is white and asian they’re asian because the ASIAN genes dominate

[@commonnobodylulublue790]

huntey that still doesn’t negate the FACT that they are not the other race IF YOU ARE BIRACIAL YOU ARE TWO RACES NO MATTER WHICH IS MORE DOMINANT OR WHAT BI MEANS 2 last time I checked a fraction isn’t a whole number being 1/2 black doesn’t make u all of a sudden a whole black person call biracial people what they are which is MIXED point blank period

[@commonnobodylulublue790]

Barbara Ann thank you although I don’t agree with the west African part, I do agree with the rest

[@じょじょ-n4b]

*mixed Everyone in this interview is acting like this girl is making bounds being the first black girl to *insert award/title* when it’s always mixed people to get this title.

[@bnwo]

lol she's black. stay mad.

[@じょじょ-n4b]

N.W.A. Well you can stay mad when little girls like her and women like me get elevated over actual black women 🤷🏽‍♀️. Would you consider her siblings black? They looked pretty Asian to me. Or are you a racist one drop kinda person?

[@tink6225]

the fact that she is the first with any drop of black is saying something tho. still happy for her, cant wait for the first fully black star

[@selee_nium]

She’s such a beautiful little girl🙌🏽💜

[@claudiawhite8529]

Awww she is soooo pretty

[@tonibenedict5751]

She is biracial. The title is misleading for one thing and maybe more

[@jessicaa9470]

A whole Asian parent and y’all are calling her just “black.” Disrespectful as if her father doesn’t even exist 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@earlem9771]

Asians have white skin normally. It wouldn’t be a big deal for them to play that role. This little girl will be treated as a black women in America, not an asian. She is black

[@gabbieowens7536]

In America she would be called black

[@ningsquaredddd]

кαуlα that wasn’t the point. The point is, even Asians won’t claim this girl as Asian, they would see her as just black because she has “black” features

[@kailamoore5331]

Victoria Adeyemi unless they bleach...what?

[@colorfulcodes]

Facts.

[@peanutbutter4612]

Is anyone else confused that it’s Marie and not Clara?

[@joeg4753]

Peanut Butter Marie and Clara are the same character just different names, it depends on the company and variation!

[@peanutbutter4612]

Joe Gonzales ahhh

[@sofialancioni6241]

Thanks!!!!!! Plesase i thought that i was crazy.

[@thatlovelydancerIlao]

I know😚

[@laniijkv1030]

The original is Clara but the George Balanchine version is different in some ways and the girls’ name is Marie

[@NaksPizza]

Y'all really stretching to call this a black family @ 1:15

[@silentnight3970]

True! But you know how it is!

[@jessicaa9470]

😂😂😂

[@jessicaa9470]

It’s sad really!

[@notyouraveragejoe7003]

NaksPizza lol that’s what I’m thinking, grantees she’s a bit more tanned than her siblings, there’s a mixed family.

[@shannalese]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 the little girl is biracial. That's a blasian family.

[@bambihofilena]

Her dad is a filipino. :)

[@lizapaza7046]

bambam hof - And what’s the point of you comment ?

[@LatifahEden]

Liza Paza Because this interview completely ignores that part. They’re making out to be as if she’s completely black. She’s bi-racial. And her mom looks bi-racial too.

[@bambihofilena]

@@lizapaza7046 I am a Filipino, I am just happy that she has filipino blood. If people see this talented little girl as a black girl, it's perfectly alright. After all, it is her talent that counts the most. I am just happy that she is half filipino.

[@m4ureen]

bambam hof I’m half Filipino too!

[@aliciapinkcotarot]

He is still a man of color

[@AngelA-wf1sg]

How TALENTED and GORGEOUS is she💗💗💗 Wishing she has nothing but clear blue skies ahead of her🤗

[@tiathompson6674]

This is great, I hope the second black lead is a DARK skinned black person, just so I know they really aren't biased against blacks.

[@jennjoint6123]

She isn't Black she is biracial. So, they may very well be biased against Blacks.

[@tiathompson6674]

@@jennjoint6123 tell that to them.

[@tiathompson6674]

@@jennjoint6123 I was being a bit sarcastic. I hope they do a lot better with incorporating the melting pot that America really is. I am happy for this baby, and it is shameful that in 2019 she is the first black, who technically isnt really black, because the are using an antiquated one drop rule to classify her.

[@Lanhua.v]

She’s not just black, but BLASIAN TOO 😭 I literally thought to myself the other day “now that there are finally black ballerinas being represented, I wonder when blasians will too” and this video pops up in my recommended. Sure I’m much older than her but to finally see someone like me when there aren’t a lot of people like me in general just fills my heart completely. May she go far and become a successful lead/prima ballerina, work hard and good luck!! We’ll be rooting for you :)

[@oliviacb.8054]

Wow this just happened to pop up when you were thinking abt that? The government rlly do be listening tho 😳

[@chesneectp]

She's biracial but in most places she's just black..either way, I'm glad she's living her dream ❤💕

[@silentnight3970]

True.

[@Ascension1004]

Negative. We don't claim her.

[@lailonnib]

Ascension 2000 who don’t?

[@chesneectp]

@@Ascension1004 just shut up

[@girlbye8608]

@@Ascension1004 They said MOST counties, not all. Maybe not your country, but here in the U.S, Melanin/Complexion=Race identification.

[@SD-cn4ux]

I AM THE RAT.

[@bellemykenzie8837]

S D this deserves all the likes

[@rissarose781]

Really ???

[@Snow-ej5fm]

NO, I AM

[@SD-cn4ux]

Larissa rose I meant that I resonate with the rat, not I AM IN THE RAT COSTUME AHAHAHAH

[@rissarose781]

@@SD-cn4ux it would be cooler if you were the actual rat haaha

[@dwaltz123]

Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss America and now Marie. You go girl!

[@jennjoint6123]

Biracials and Blacks....

[@gersay0523]

If i may... Miss France too

[@AshAsh32]

The baby in that mouse costume is playing that character all the way 😂😂😂😂 so cute

[@user1250-k7m]

There is a show on Disney+ called “On Pointe it’s soooooo good she played the role of Marie btw

[@paulettebilly5941]

She is beautiful inside and out. Amazing!! Congrats, you deserve it!!

[@Vanessa-wu5yi]

Exactly! 🤗

[@niceone860]

First of all she is not the first “black star”.. she’s Asian too! Where is her dad for this interview? Her last name is “Nebres”...give me a break!

[@kactus1889]

nice one she’s still black

[@iprobablydislikeyou2735]

@@kactus1889 no❤

[@lanakat]

She’s not black shes biracial/mixed…😒

[@anaityketihw]

Kay TV She’s still black

[@kailamoore5331]

Ky Camp nah she’s biracial.

[@veemon]

Somehow, I'm unsurprised to come across such a comment here. Can you acknowledge her acheivement at least?

[@mitsy565]

Barack Obama is biracial but everyone considers him the first black president.

[@sarah-sandres]

Same thing Obama was the first black president and his mom was white most African Americans are mixed most Black people aren’t full African and many black celebs are mixed too. Tiger Woods for example.

[@tbori180]

She’s gorgeous an inspiration to many. My niece too is Asian mixed with Black and also Puerto Rican. She represents girls of color on a broader spectrum I think.

[@Majiwe24]

Ok but she is so well spoken too.

[@MyAkachi]

Why is that surprising?

[@Visitkarte]

MyAkachi in this case, hopefully because she is so very young, but I know what you mean.

[@briabree7683]

Had to dislike this comment

[@-loonatheworld]

i'd like to think that you say that because she's so young, but i see why people would dislike. maybe a little more context would do the trick?

[@earlem9771]

Nobody said they were surprised. Its an observation.

[@abbieprice3430]

Charlotte looks like she’s half black and half Asian to me!

[@meakahyatt4571]

Yep she does but just give her the praise she richly deserved.

[@sadeyvette2215]

She is. They showed a family picture and her Dad is Asian.

[@Glycam]

Her dad is not fully Asian

[@sadeyvette2215]

@@Glycam Not that it matters...but their family picture is at 1:17. He looks fully Asian to me.

[@raiderwarrior2725]

Sao O her dad is 100 percent Filipino

[@tawandathurman8354]

I pray that the day comes. When being black. Will not be a big deal for us as black folks. It will be. Business as usual.💯

[@asiaj4678]

It's a big deal becuz we are a big deal 💖💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

[@hmm6401]

Asia J no it’s because we have not been represented right but you should still be proud :D

[@getreal4real169]

Tawanda Thurman But she isn’t AA. She is biracial.

[@kloheguillen4194]

Truth Sayer THANK YOU !

[@Ajm833]

Tawanda Thurman SHE IS NOT AFRICAN-AMERICAN. Her mother is Afro- Trinidadian and her father is from the Philippines. Her mother is mixed heritage as well as both her parents are mixed race. I am quite sure that this girl is less than 40% African DNA. That doesn't equate black. There are black girls out here thinking that they should have hair like this " black girl". She does not look like black and she is NOT African- American. She is a mixed race Afro-Trinidadian and Filipino descendant.

[@zoebehler2425]

she’s absolutely gorgeous and a wonderful dancer! i’m so proud

[@xavierbanbury9368]

This makes me happy because I am the first black nutcracker in my city🙃🙃

[@susansauls8902]

Congratulations!

[@hmm6401]

xavier B wow that is so nice! Congrats again!

[@nickyme8407]

Well done!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@aslscott78]

xavier B bottom too I bet - can’t believe u can top

[@asens6241]

Representation is so beautiful!! I hope they get more “Marie’s” in all shades in the future.

[@babyboi3355]

She is a girl of COLOR! Preforming in a WHITE DOMINATED SPACE! You go girl✨🪐

[@EVZYL]

What about cultural appropriation?

[@YCGdiary]

​@@EVZYLhuh???

[@ellebelle5036]

Finally, NYCB!! Now let’s start filling the company with more than just 2 black dancers

[@cristinab6624]

Elle Belle it’s not their choice sometimes

[@snowangel7980]

Perhaps they can just put the best dancers in the company.

[@Marieq]

It's about talent, not the color of someone's skin.

[@ellebelle5036]

If you know anything about classical ballet, you would know it has plenty to do with skin color disguised as body type. Black girls are often told their bodies are “too athletic” to ever be a professional ballerina. NYCB is notorious for filling their ranks with white dancers. Their dancers are very thin, long necks, small heads...it is the “look” NYCB goes for. I’ve been a patron of NYCB for many, many years and I have only seen a couple black dancers BECAUSE the look they want is NOT black dancers. It’s a very common complaint among some patrons of the company.

[@ellebelle5036]

No one is saying they *have* to. But with so many new pieces NYCB is putting out with NEW and YOUNG choreographers, there is no reason a ballet company can’t reflect the diversity of the city in which it resides. You can’t sit there and tell me that with all the new ballets they are churning out, at NO point a black dancer wouldn’t be suited for the role? Many patrons of NYCB have been asking for increased diversity in their dancers for years, so save me your racist rhetoric.

[@Notactive2222]

Omg I feel so proud being blasian now❤️❤️❤️

[@maggieverschut8872]

Like you should your perfect the way you are💙

[@Notactive2222]

@@maggieverschut8872 thank you so much I appreciate ❤️😊

[@eviemaria]

same!

[@graced2867]

im sorry but the RAT is literally me

[@Grannymodu]

I love how they got all the kids names at the end to include everyone

[@Kuralai95]

Omg, she’s so pretty. Like she’s a kid but she has a face structure of a supermodel 😍

[@devynclay4659]

4:31 the mouse is a whole mood😂

[@gladysespinoza5074]

💀💀 honestly 😩

[@emmy4030]

What a beautiful AMERICAN girl. I hope many young black (edit:and white) American children are inspired by her hard work.

[@grp2009able]

She is not black,her father is asian,and her mother is form trinidad,how is she identify as black ,so nowadays everyone with dArk skin,and achiever arw now identify as black.

[@welcometotheinternet4215]

American children from what country and edited to add (White) so sad.... So you only “HOPE” for black and white childhood ha? No hope for the brown and yellow children?

[@viniciuss9607]

@@grp2009able your dumb

[@Appleboo222]

Jemaine Clement exactly especially considering she is half Asian! This is exactly why they should make it known she’s half Filipino!

[@justme-ew3ri]

Anyone can and should be inspired by her work but the white kids already have several people to look up too.

[@GwendolyndeAshboroughLady]

Beautiful Little Girl. May she Blossom to be her best!!

[@carson_grace22]

so cool that this specific nutcracker is now displayed as a docuseries on disney plus! if you have not watched it, please do. it is truly amazing.

[@April-dk9ui]

Regardless of anything she’s gorgeous and congrats to her!

[@karencurtis2697]

Exactly.. bravo 👏

[@nailah9265]

Lmfaoo I love how when she said “I was dancing since I was in my mom’s tummy” the woman started laughing and she was very serious 😂

[@justsomegirl7274]

she's also the first asian too for that matter but sure, forget us mixed people

[@A__Mina]

They need to change the title or omit her race. So disrespectful.

[@user-pu2xu2iq9o]

A Jesus Christ shut UP

[@user-pu2xu2iq9o]

A Jesus Christ shut UP

[@MrCoontwo]

@@user-pu2xu2iq9o I feel sad for you. Do you know what the word hypocrisy means? Jesus christ would ask a person to be quiet, or silent. By using his name while telling a person to shut xxxxxx, is disrespect, blasphemy even, bad manners, poor ettique. You are misrepresenting the lord. The more I read the more refined I get, so I speak differently even when I'm frustrated

[@user-pu2xu2iq9o]

randy Pall Really wrote a whole paragraph huh. Not particularly a fan of Jesus but I’ll use his name since I’m an atheist

[@SableEllen]

As someone who is black and adopted by a Filipino family this truly warms my heart. While this can be about representation for us who never saw little girls/women on stage or TV who looked like us (Biracial or not). Let's celebrate her win and shatter those glass ceilings! so so happy for her.

[@kamrynann2847]

Rachel a real one...

[@wuhduhhuh]

She looks Filipino to me. But regardless it’s just nice to see a minority have such a great opportunity!

[@itsbritt9155]

She looks like her dad is black n Asian and moms black, judging from the family photos .

[@arriere100]

april hanako Yes she is not black she is a Filipino

[@jamsho9134]

@@arriere100 Mom = Black, Dad = Asian. How does that make her filipina? You do not even know what ethnicity her father is.

[@kevinsupreme2514]

@@arriere100 Nope, try again, she's black and Asian.

[@CozyAsha]

She is biracial. She isn’t black.

[@viviandarden3304]

Congratulations, Charlotte! We are so proud of you!

[@mjpomperada7829]

The Sacramento Ballet has done this YEARS ago.

[@reginapompey6486]

I was one of those black girls from the projects that took ballet classes. God bless her.

[@diamondamongrocks]

Beautiful little black girl. Deserving of all the prosperity and happiness in the world. I was the lead in the nutcracker when I was in 6th grade. First black girl to do it at my school. Representation means everything.

[@Blessedlife247]

She's so mature and humble.

[@jaydebivens426]

I can't the rat is dancing too

[@hmm6401]

GrilledGacha lol

[@raea3588]

Doesn't it get warm in that costume? Have to give credit for the talent!

[@SxyChicDisney]

I’m watching the documentary on disney plus about this particular year’s nutcracker, and the other Marie that year was also POC!

[@milktea3311]

Yea. I’m pretty sure she’s also half Asian too.

[@msmalubaby]

Aww, this makes me want to cry ❤️❤️❤️ Wow her last statement is everything!!!

[@kellykirby9365]

I loved this year - both Marie's were terrific and I loved the On Pointe documentary they made about that season and Nutcracker. Marie should have absolutely no barriers - race, height, even weight. In a perfect world Marie is just like any little girl - not a perfectly shaped, beautiful, talented dancer but one who may be tall, heavy set, short hair, thin hair, imperfect skin, any race....just a precious child who has a magical Christmas

[@anonymousperson1327]

She's not just black, please do not dishonor the seed of her father! She's biracial!

[@TRONwuzhere82]

Agreed! Thank you!!!!

And trust me, her mothers ethnicity is also more than just African. So not even "bi-ethnic".

[@courtr1588]

@ "She doesnt belong to a race at all. But she is multi-ethnic. " You're mixing ethnicity and race.

[@peteradaniel]

She’s biracial when she triumphs but she’s black when she fails.

[@princesschilumba3889]

Alex Daniel right

[@zahara5472]

This made me smile so wide I’m so happy to see this! I hope she gains more and more amazing opportunities❤️

[@breepark8635]

Shes so pretty she looks like a fairy princess wow

[@anahelenamouffron1424]

She expresses herself so beutifully! I had 2 things crossing my mind when I started watching, and she translated the feelings in these 2 statements: "I was kind of shocked that even in these recent times it hasn't happened yet." "I just wanna make sure that: yes, I am the first black Marie. And I also want to make sure that I'm not the last." Girl, wish you all the best in your life, keep on doing great as you are, you're already a role model for me and lots of people. You're not only the first black Marie, you're inspiration for better times to come.

[@raea3588]

What a sweetheart and so beautiful inside and out

[@autumnbluerose5809]

This little girl is not black, but biracial.

[@bnwo]

she's black. and if she's not, then no one in america is black.

[@monicajade3704]

@@bnwo so you saying her asian dad does not exist? The average black american have some non black genes that is coming from slavery (great great grandparents ago). However, having one non black parent is biracial. How many black people you know with those feature.... she looks asian and that wavy hair not a black feature. If her skin was as light as her dad's nobody would think she is mixed because of her facial features.

[@bnwo]

@@monicajade3704 lol so if you're black or not is about your features? funny, since black women are quick to tell you they can have blonde hair.

[@RizzoDaManiac]

She is whatever she wants to be, obviously. Stop being negative.

[@Summerbeeuty]

BuzzKillington Huh? Do you understand what you’re saying so folks with a drop of black can say they’re black 🤦🏽‍♀️. This is why Rachel Dolazol exists

[@DeshaEvansBacardi]

Beautiful story and beautiful young lady but she is not black she's bi-racial.

[@Daleylife]

I thought the young girl in the nutcracker was called Clara?

[@gabbydavis6349]

Daleylife that’s what I thought too

[@BAMCarter12]

Yes! I thought so!

[@BAMCarter12]

Mandela effect!

[@sunflowervol.6414]

It’s Marie in the original story by E. T. A. Hoffman. Clara is actually Maries dolll.

[@isaiahewing1412]

Daleylife it’s Clara and Marie there are two names

[@aznSeddie]

This talented little homegirl is Blasian and I am here for it! 💕

[@nobody__cares]

HER FACIAL FEATURES ARE PERFECT SHES SO BEAUTIFUL

[@TheNailEatery]

Whew chile that one drop rule something terrible

[@bittersweet6927]

She isn't 1 drop though ?

[@Jessicaro]

@@bittersweet6927 exactly she is half.

[@Jessicaro]

people need to stop to refer as mixed people as black. let a real black person play the role. stop pushing them to the side and act as if half mixed people are black people they are not. the moment you have futures that obviously are not your but came down from your grandmother or one side of your parent your are not black. i have never seen a black person like her in Africa EVER

[@bittersweet6927]

@@Jessicaro , You do know that Black people are mixed right ? White , African, Native American and for some Asian.

[@Jessicaro]

@@bittersweet6927 yes but that is exactly what i am saying unless they are mixed a pure black person in Africa does not look like her at all. even in Africa unless they are mixed they do not look like her

[@itsmeharperjacksons6633]

She's adorable 😍

[@jdutka13]

I thought it was Clara, the name was Clara for my ballet academy lol

[@sunflowervol.6414]

Marie is the name in E.T.A. Hoffmanns Story, in the original story Clara is the name of Maries doll.

[@hberri7772]

I thought so too

[@jdutka13]

@@sunflowervol.6414 Thats weird

[@helenlundy1468]

I thought so too

[@zoefyd1972]

@ Jennifer Dutka I was looking for this comment😂

[@aislinnhess]

wow shes going to be GORGEOUS when shes older because shes already so beautiful now

[@julesindigoblue4441]

Oh Gosh! This made me cry! Such a beautiful, talented young lady. Magical.

[@thehoneyeffect]

She looks like a little Asian girl, this one drop rule is going a little crazy now. Welldone done to the girl though

[@sesayida]

I have never seen an asian girl look like her she looks mixed period

[@ymn5201]

The one drop rule is toxic

[@leiahdavis1908]

thehoneyeffect The one drop rule has been gone for about a decade. What are you talking about?

[@A__Mina]

@@leiahdavis1908 apparently not since they are calling her African American/Black

[@knowdaqueen177]

Leiah Davis people still subscribe to it though. This girl is biracial but they’re calling her the first black lead. Why aren’t they calling her Asian when she’s the same amount of Asian as she is black? As long as you have the tiniest bit of black in you and maybe have black features people consider you black.

[@sharnya8332]

CORRECTION: *"Meet The First Blasian Star Of New York City Ballet’s ‘Nutcracker’ | TODAY"* It's about time the "One Drop Rule" is diminished.

[@bnwo]

So if you don't want the one drop rule, why are you calling beyonce and rihanna black when they're biracial too?

[@reinal7896]

N.W.A. They aren’t biracial . They have white heritage but they are majority black. Stop acting stupid in every comment section about blackness. This little girl is like 30% black at most.

[@LatifahEden]

She is not African American what is wrong with Americans 😒 She is Bi Racial and her moms side of the family looks mixed as well. Not that any thing is wrong with being African American but we mixed people should be acknowledged for what we are MIXED. Sheesh 🙄 she’s gorgeous by the way ❤️

[@JulietRobin]

Latifah Eden thank you love for clarifying. You are right. I was guilty of thinking of her as African American. However I hope they see your post because they are media and reporters etc. so they need to be accurate. I in turn know better now so when similar statements are made about others I will know how to correct them.

[@binamai6638]

She might identify as African American

[@chevon1920]

IKR, I’m black and I’m sick of biracial people identifying as black, be what you are and stop trying to be classified as something you’re not. It’s her mothers fault most likely, telling her she’s black.

[@chevon1920]

Sabina T that doesn’t mean she is though.

[@binamai6638]

chevon1920 she’s biracial she can identify as either or

[@cindyharper8989]

what a beautiful, talented and dedicated little girl. good luck to u sweetie u have the rest of ur life to do great things

[@ellie-sh2gz]

she’s sooo gorgeous i can’t even get it through my brain she’s so beautiful agh

[@supagb4884]

She's a blasian girl, not a black one.

[@arp5546]

The first mixed race star. She is not black. Get it right.

[@monohina1997]

Agreed

[@reinal7896]

Ar P as a biracial person , thank you

[@askiavance3281]

She's still black. It's all up to how she identies as at the end of the day

[@arp5546]

Askia Vance you don’t see white people saying mullatos (black n white mixed race people) are white. 🙄. This actually irritates me.

[@lovelylady5135]

You could be Kerry Washington sister.

[@photogirlx88]

She is beautiful!

[@lianet777]

She’s so much more mature and eloquent than I am😂♥️God bless this beautiful princess 👑

[@gklfffdkphkhhkfcki4859]

i have an obsession with her eyes! also she’s so well spoken and just adorable overall

[@Secretkeeper2914]

Congrats to Charlotte Nebres. To the people in the comments who are having a hard time understanding this moment and any other moment where African Americans are put first into roles like this, it is the 1st time an African American girl has starred in the ballet as Marie. This does not happen often and is not the norm in our society. We all know that because we can all see that. So when we get the chance to praise one another no matter what race, we should do so with positivity and grace. She is a child, let her have her moment in history.

[@kv5995]

InspiredByEbonyLove she’s black but okay

[@Marieq]

This is cast as the most talented dancers. There are about 1000 little girls who get choosen, she is not the only Marie her and 3 other girls switch every performance.

[@mishabear703]

@MsRose00 your right.... we should be happy for her... but we also should CARe.... this is progress for the ballet world and for society... its only been a few decades in America were racially we are equal.. we still need to improve... but this is Progress and we should celebrate her beautiful talent and that today, presently she has an opportunity to show it not be held back because she is of color.... remember it wasnt always legal to marry for love outside of your race, be accepted of your community if you happened to be mixed or of a different religion... this is beautiful and this is progress. we should care and this is important, this matters... God bless x

[@missshannonsunshine]

SHE IS NOT BLACK. We haven’t had a black one yet. She is gorgeous and talented though. Black people with sense don’t claim her

[@Ajm833]

SHE IS NOT AFRICAN-AMERICAN. Her mother is Afro- Trinidadian and her father is from the Philippines. Her mother is mixed heritage as well as both her parents are mixed race. I am quite sure that this girl is less than 40% African DNA. That doesn't equate black. There are black girls out here thinking that they should have hair like this " black girl". She does not look like black and she is NOT African- American. She is a mixed race Afro-Trinidadian and Filipino descendant. Shannon Sunshine

[@erpollock]

A lovely program, lovely child playing Marie. I often saw NYC Ballet's Nutcracker in New York and there is every reason in the world to choose the best young dancers who just happen to be black.

[@hannahvollrath4302]

This is so big, I'm soo happy for her. Shes such a beautiful young girl and has a big future in front if her.