Marie-Claude Pietragalla

Marie-Claude Georgette Yvonne Pietragalla, born on February 2, 1963, in Paris, is a celebrated French dancer and choreographer. Hailing from a Corsican father and a mother from Bordeaux, Pietragalla's journey in dance began at the young age of 16 when she joined the Ballet de l'Opéra National de Paris. She achieved the prestigious title of étoile on December 22, 1990, after her captivating performance as Kitri in "Don Quixote."

In 1998, she took the helm of the National Ballet of Marseille, where her tenure lasted five years until her resignation followed a conflict with the dancers. Her illustrious career includes memorable performances at the Opéra Bastille, notably in the productions of "Swan Lake" (1992) and "Les Variations d'Ulysse" (1995) under the direction of Jean-Claude Gallotta. She was honored with the Prix Benois de la Danse in 1998.

Pietragalla has also made significant contributions to choreography, creating a one-woman show titled "Don't Look Back" in 2000, and the dance-drama "Sade ou le théâtre des fous" in 2007, which premiered at the castle of Lacoste. In 2004, she established her own company, the Pietragalla Company, and has continued to innovate in dance.

Married to fellow dancer Julien Derouault, she currently serves as a judge on the French version of "Dancing with the Stars," "Danse avec les Stars," while also performing and creating new works.