Interview: Houston Ballet Promotes Jessica Collado to Principal: A True CINDERELLA Story

We all know the story of the beautiful Cinderella, a great tale that starts pretty grim for the story's protagonist, but ends with a royal marriage. Well, the story of the beautiful Jessica Collado doesn't have any fairy godmothers or glass slippers, but it has a happy ending all the same.

On March 10, 2017, just moments after Collado starred in the Houston Ballet's presentation of CINDERELLA at the Wortham Theater Center, Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM promoted her to principal dancer.

Collado started dancing when she was four years old. And when she was eighteen, the native Floridian made her move to Houston, where she found her love for tap, jazz and contemporary ballet. "I never felt inhibited by dancing," she says. "It just seemed very suitable for me."

And it has to be for someone who practices for almost two hours daily and lifts weights to stay in shape. Even though she says she loves her carbs (yes!), Collado says she has to stick to her yogurt, fruit, granola and protein diet to continue to function as a great dancer. She chuckles and says, "When I eat better, I feel better."

The English Setter-owner and soon-to-be-bride not only has a passion for ballet dancing, but she also loves theater. Though it's pretty evident from talking to her that ballet is her life, she would love to explore acting opportunities and costume and fashion design. And even though her thirteen seasons with the Houston Ballet have offered her an opportunity to practice dance, her love and craft, Collado says that she would be honored to lend her talents to coaching.

Collado's life experiences offer such hope and inspiration. She reminds us, just like Stanton Welch's CINDERELLA, that when you work hard and stay true to your love and passions in life, great rewards are bound to find you.