[News Figures] Guillaume Diop, First Black Etoile of 350-Year-Old French Ballet Company

Announcement Immediately After Curtain Call of 'Giselle' Matinee at LG Arts Center Seoul
Unusual Etoile (Principal Dancer) Appointment Outside France

At the Paris Opera Ballet (POB), which has a history of over 350 years, the first Black 'Etoile' (principal dancer) has emerged. Etoile means "star" in French.

According to the performing arts industry on the 13th, after the POB's performance of "Giselle" at the LG Arts Center in Magok-dong, Seoul, which marked their first visit in 30 years on the 11th, an unannounced Etoile appointment was made. It is said to be extremely rare for an Etoile appointment to be made outside of France.

Guillaume Diop performing Albrecht in Paris Opera Ballet's "Giselle" Seoul performance. Photo by LG Arts Center

Jos? Martinez, POB's artistic director, took the stage after the performance and said, "There is a very special moment for POB dancers after the performance," adding, "It is the moment when the dream of being named Etoile comes true." He continued, "With the consent of Alexander Neef, the general director of the Paris National Opera, I appoint Guillaume Diop as Etoile."

POB is well known for its strict promotion system for its members. The ranks of POB dancers are divided into five levels: 'Quadrille' (corps de ballet), 'Coryph?e' (corps leader), 'Sujet' (soloist), 'Premier danseur / Premi?re danseuse' (first soloist), and 'Etoile' (principal dancer). Unlike other ranks, promotion to Etoile is made without an exam, based on the artistic director's recommendation and the appointment by the general director of the Paris National Opera.

At the Paris Opera Ballet's 'Giselle' performance in Korea, Guillaume Diop is performing with Doroth?e Gilbert in the role of Giselle on the 11th. After the performance, Diop was appointed as an ?toile (principal dancer). Photo by LG Arts Center

Diop (24), born to a French mother and Senegalese father, entered the Paris Opera Ballet School in 2012 at the age of 12 and joined POB in 2018.

He performed as a Coryph?e in corps roles and was cast in classical works of the Nureyev version and major works by choreographers such as William Forsythe. Diop reportedly grew by stepping in for other members who were absent due to injuries or COVID-19 infections, taking on roles such as Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet" and Basilio in "Don Quixote." On this tour, he also took over a role due to the sudden knee injury of Hugo Marchand (30), who was originally scheduled to perform as Albrecht.

Diop was appointed Etoile directly from the Sujet rank without passing through Premier danseur. Skipping two ranks is a rare promotion in POB's 354-year history, known to have happened only with Manuel Legris (59) in 1986 and Mathieu Ganio (39) in 2004.