Étoile hasn’t even premiered yet and we already need to draw a parallel. The series that will explore the world of dance already has a character that promises to be divisive and popular: Cheyenne, the star of the Paris Opéra, played by actress and ballerina Lou de Laâge. And – from the trailer – it is clearly suggested that Cheyenne is inspired by one of the most brilliant and legendary ballerinas of all time: the complex Sylvie Guillem.

Who is Lou de Laâge?

Lou de Laâge is a French actress and ballerina, with an artistic background that combines ballet and dramatic interpretation. Her career began in ballet, where she developed a strong technical base and artistic sensitivity, something that would later profoundly influence her approach as an actress. Lou has been involved in dance since she was young, but it was when she began her film career that she gained notoriety.

Her career in cinema began to stand out with her role in the acclaimed film Breathe (2014), directed by Mélanie Laurent, in which she played a young woman in an emotionally intense story about friendship and obsession. The film was a milestone in Lou’s career, highlighting her as a promising and talented actress. Her performance was applauded by critics, and Lou quickly established herself as one of the most interesting young actresses in contemporary French cinema.

In addition to Breathe, Lou de Laâge has appeared in the films Jappeloup (2013) and La Saison des Femmes (2016), where she has already indicated that she enjoys complex characters. Her experience as a classical ballerina will finally be revealed and explored in Étoile, which explores the world of ballet and the tensions and challenges of this environment.

Cheyenne is a superstar who will be “exchanged” to spend a year in New York, bringing with her – in addition to her talent and ability to sell tickets – a terrifying and difficult personality. As an actress and dancer, she has the perfect combination of technique and emotional sensitivity to bring to life a character that will likely challenge the conventions of classical ballet. For those who follow the dance world, Cheyenne looks a lot like Sylvie Guillem, now retired, but one of the greatest stars of classical ballet in the 20th century.

Cheyenne and Sylvie: a clear mirror

Just like Cheyenne in Étoile, Sylvie Guillem was a ballerina who always prioritized her search for artistic freedom and maintained an irreverent stance in the world of dance that made her a feared and adored artist at the same time. We can draw parallels between Guillem’s life and Cheyenne’s possible characteristics because from what we saw in the trailer, both share a strong and defiant personality, which questions the norms and conventions of classical ballet.

Sylvie Guillem was discovered as a teenager by none other than Rudolf Nureyev and, throughout her career, she did not hesitate to break away from the traditional dance system, moving away from the Paris Opera to follow a freer and more contemporary artistic path. This desire for creative freedom, which often led her to clash with figures in the artistic world, can be reflected in the character Cheyenne, who is probably also an artist ahead of her time, willing to explore new forms of expression and collaborate with innovative choreographers.

In addition, the search for technical perfection and innovation, trademarks of Sylvie Guillem, may also be a trait of Cheyenne. Guillem was admired for her impeccable technical skill and her boldness in pushing dance to new limits and exploring new languages ​​within ballet. It is possible that Cheyenne, like Guillem, will be portrayed as a ballerina who impresses not only with her refined technique but also with her willingness to challenge what is expected of a classical dance artist. This desire to break away from aesthetic and formal standards may be one of the main characteristics she shares with the French ballerina.

However, perhaps the most striking similarity between Cheyenne and Sylvie Guillem is their confrontation with the authority of the artistic world. Sylvie Guillem was no stranger to controversy, often being seen as an antagonistic figure due to her critical stance towards the physical and emotional demands placed on dancers. If the character Cheyenne follows this line, she may also be portrayed as an artist who refuses to submit to the rigid standards of the dance industry, thus generating tension with other professionals or even with the audiences of the series itself.

Therefore, although Cheyenne is a character with her own trajectory and story, it is not difficult to see that she may carry echoes of Sylvie Guillem, especially concerning her strong personality, her search for authenticity and innovation, and their conflicts with the traditional structure of dance. The Étoile series, by creating this character, can explore universal themes of artistic rebellion and the challenges that arise when trying to reconcile tradition with modernity, something that Guillem has done so impactfully throughout her career.

Sylvie Guillem: the temperamental and brilliant superstar

Sylvie Guillem is one of the most renowned and controversial ballerinas in the history of classical dance. She began her artistic training at a very young age, joining the École National de Ballet in Paris at the age of 11. Her exceptional talent quickly led her to stand out, and at the age of 16, she was accepted as a prima ballerina in the ballet company of the Paris Opera, one of the most prestigious in the world.

Artistic career

Sylvie Guillem‘s career is marked by an impressive combination of impeccable technique and unique artistic expression. She became famous for her bold and innovative style within classical ballet, challenging conventions and breaking the boundaries of what was expected of a classical ballerina. Her ability to move between traditional and experimental roles made her a unique figure in the world of dance.

Guillem had a long career at the Paris Opera, but over time she began to distance herself from traditional productions. Her decision to leave the Paris Opera in 1989 caused great repercussions, but it also symbolized her desire to follow a freer artistic path, exploring new forms of expression. She was one of the first to collaborate with contemporary artists and to seek new languages ​​within dance, performing in works by innovative choreographers such as William Forsythe, Mats Ek, and Jiří Kylián. This constant search for innovation and breaking boundaries established her as one of the greatest stars of contemporary dance.

In 2006, Sylvie Guillem announced that she would be leaving the classical ballet stage, focusing on more modern and contemporary performances. This transition was seen as another bold step in her career, maintaining her reputation as an artist who did not adhere to formulas and who had a clear vision of her artistic path. She continued to present herself as one of the most talented ballerinas in the world, but now with a greater focus on contemporary dance.

Personality and controversies

Sylvie Guillem‘s personality is one of the most fascinating aspects of her career. Often described as a strong-willed person with an irreverent attitude, she stood out for both her talent and her attitude. Her “diva” persona, although a source of criticism, also became part of her unmistakable charm. Guillem has always been authentic and true to herself, not hesitating to express her opinions and often challenging social and artistic norms.

One of the biggest controversies involving Guillem occurred in 1997 when she was dismissed from the Paris Opera ballet company after refusing to perform in some productions. She defended her artistic freedom, refusing roles that did not correspond to her style or that did not align with her vision of the art of dance. Her attitude, considered by many to be arrogant or defiant, in fact, reflects her commitment to artistic quality and her desire not to conform to the expectations of the industry.

In an interview with Le Monde, Sylvie revealed that, throughout her career, she often felt like a “product” of the cultural industry, being pressured to follow a path that was not her own. She always expressed dissatisfaction with the traditional ballet system and how fame and the pressure to succeed interfered with her creative freedom. This point of view was widely criticized, but also admired by many who saw her as a true representative of the spirit of uncompromising art.

Furthermore, Guillem had conflicting relationships with some of the great figures of dance and with some of her colleagues, partly due to her tendency to impose herself and challenge established rules. She never hid her opinion on the negative aspects of the world of classical ballet, such as the pressure to meet physical and aesthetic standards, which she often criticized for being excessive and damaging to the health of dancers. This criticism of the elitist and rigid world of dance made some people see her as an antagonistic figure, while others admired her for her courage in speaking openly about such sensitive issues.

Legacy

Despite the controversies that marked her career, Sylvie Guillem built a legacy that transcends criticism. Her commitment to art, her constant search for innovation, and her willingness to explore new languages ​​and movements within dance make her one of the most influential figures in the art of dance in the 21st century. She remains one of the great references in dance, not only for her technical virtuosity but also for her artistic talent, but also for her courage in remaining true to her own artistic vision, and for her fight for a freer and more creative space for artists.

In the last years of her career, Guillem became an active advocate for contemporary dance and new forms of body expression, which solidified her position as one of the most visionary artists of her generation. Even after retiring from the stage, her mark on dance remains strong, and she is one of the great inspirations for young dancers who wish to follow a path outside of traditional conventions.

Sylvie Guillem is not just a dancer; she is a cultural icon who has challenged the norms and redefined what it means to be an artist in the contemporary era. And for this very reason, she is certainly the greatest inspiration for Étoile.

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