Carlos Acosta

Carlos Acosta was born as the eleventh child into an impoverished Cuban household. His father enrolled him in a state-funded dance school to keep him out of trouble because he was a very active child. He began his career as a principal dancer with the English National Ballet, the National Ballet of Cuba, and the Houston Ballet. He joined the Royal Ballet in 1998 and was named director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet in January 2020.

Throughout Carlos Acosta's ballet career, he gained many award-winning works, including "Tocororo" and "Carlos Acosta and Friends of the Royal Ballet". He also choreographed the Royal Ballet's Don Quixote and Carmen, as well as the West End's latest Guys and Dolls performance. Carlos Acosta is also the author of two books: Pig's Foot, a work of fiction, and No Way Home, an honest and passionate autobiography.

Born: June 2, 1973 (age 48)

Nationality: Cuban - British