Digital Cover Star

Quickfire Questions With January/February 2026 Digital Cover Star India Bradley

January 12, 2026

To get to know India Bradley a little bit better, we asked her a series of quickfire questions. Read on to hear more about the New York City Ballet soloist’s pointe shoe specs, pre-performance routine, favorite snacks, and more.

What’s your favorite step or part of class?

Lately? Pirouettes—like normal, tombé–pas de bourrée–fourth pirouettes. I’ve really grown to love them. They’re so much fun to do now that my body is more together. Pirouettes aren’t so bad, people, once you’ve started Pilates!

And your least favorite?

Petit allégro. It hurts. Although if you’d asked me five years ago, I would’ve said it was my favorite.

India Bradley and Tyler Angle perform a pas de deux onstage as another male and female dancer stand in b plus behind them in the background. Bradley, wearing a black leotard, brown tights, and brown pointe shoes, does a piqué first arabesque towards stage right, her right arm lifted high. ANgle, in a white t-shirt, black tights, and white socks and ballet slippers, stands behind her in tendu and holds both of her hands. They perform in front of a blue backdrop.
Bradley and Tyler Angle, foreground, with Ava Sautter and Samuel Melnikov in George Balanchine’s Episodes. Photo by Erin Baiano, courtesy NYCB.

Do you have a favorite spot at the barre?

I don’t have one. I’m a casual girl. “Can I squeeze here?” That’s usually my line. 

What are your pointe shoe specifications?

I wear a size 5, heel pin, “D” maker, no-X—less than a no-X, because my feet are super-narrow. People are wondering why I have a hard time doing anything—it’s because I’ve barely got a box to be on!

Coffee or tea, and how do you take it?

Coffee, but only in the past year, because I’m getting old. With cream.

Do you have a go-to snack?

India Bradley, wearing a University of Michigan sweatshirt and blue tut, is shown from the thighs up. She clasps her hands together and tilts her head to her right and looks toward the camera with a smile. She poses in front of a gray backdrop.
India Bradley. Photo by Erin Baiano, courtesy NYCB.

Chips. I’m a chip-aholic. Any type, but usually the less healthy, the better.

What’s your pre-performance routine?

I take a nap before every show, for as long as I can. Usually about an hour, but if I have two hours open, I’ll sleep for two hours.

What are you listening to right now?

Rosalía’s new album, which is incredible. It’s the album of the decade.

What are the three words that best describe you?

“Social,” “intentional,” and “approachable.” I was going to say “kind,” but get me in the wrong moment on the subway and maybe not. [laughs]

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