# Unity Phelan

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{{short description|American ballet dancer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox dancer
| name          = Unity Phelan
| image         = File:Russell Janzen and Unity Phelan in Jewels, Diamonds (2).jpg
| alt	        = 
| caption       = Phelan (right) with [Russell Janzen](/source/Russell_Janzen) in ''[Jewels](/source/Jewels_(ballet))'', 2017
| birth_name    = Unity Sickles Phelan
| birth_date    = {{birth year and age|1995|02}}
| birth_place   = [Princeton, New Jersey](/source/Princeton%2C_New_Jersey), U.S.
| nationality   = 
| citizenship   = 
| education     = [School of American Ballet](/source/School_of_American_Ballet)<br/>[Fordham University](/source/Fordham_University)
| occupation    = Ballet dancer
| years_active  = 2012–present
| height        = 5 ft 8 in<ref name=Kourlas/>
| spouse        = {{marriage|Cameron Dieck|2022}}
| partner       = 
| children      = 
| website       = <!-- {{URL|website}} -->
| current_group = [New York City Ballet](/source/New_York_City_Ballet)
| former_groups = 
| dances        = 
| module        = 
}}
'''Unity Sickles Phelan''' (born February 1995)<ref name=laGorce>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/25/style/unity-phelan-cameron-dieck-wedding.html|title=A Slow Dance Toward a 'Beautifully Intoxicating' Romance|work=New York Times|last=La Gorce|first=Tammy|date=November 25, 2022}}</ref> is an American ballet dancer. She joined the [New York City Ballet](/source/New_York_City_Ballet) in 2013 and was promoted to principal dancer in 2021. Outside of the company, she had also danced in the films ''[John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum](/source/John_Wick%3A_Chapter_3_%E2%80%93_Parabellum)'' (2019) and ''[I'm Thinking of Ending Things](/source/I'm_Thinking_of_Ending_Things_(film))'' (2020).

==Early life and training==
Phelan was born in [Princeton, New Jersey](/source/Princeton%2C_New_Jersey).<ref name=corps/> Her father founded a health service company, where he was also the chief executive, and her mother is an international tax consultant and partner at a  national public accounting and business advisory firm. Phelan explained that her parents liked the idea of "unity", hence her unusual first name.<ref name=laGorce/>

Phelan started ballet at age four at Princeton Ballet School, following her older sister. At thirteen, she attended the summer program at the [School of American Ballet](/source/School_of_American_Ballet) in New York, and was invited to join the year-round program. Her parents thought she was too young, but allowed her to train there full-time the following year.<ref name=laGorce/> She trained at the school for three years.<ref name=corps>{{cite news|url=https://www.pointemagazine.com/issuesaugustseptember-20152015-stars-corps-2412823538.html|title=2015 Stars of the Corps: 10 Dancers Set to Ascend the Ranks|magazine=Pointe Magazine|date=August 3, 2015|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> During this time, she also completed high school at the [Professional Children's School](/source/Professional_Children's_School), and graduated in 2012.<ref name=laGorce/>

==Career==
Phelan became an apprentice with the [New York City Ballet](/source/New_York_City_Ballet) in 2012,<ref name=corps/> and joined the corps de ballet the following year.<ref name=soloist/> Roles she danced whilst in the corps de ballet include in Balanchine's "Stairway to Paradise" in ''[Who Cares?](/source/Who_Cares%3F_(ballet))'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/19/arts/dance/sugarplum-fairies-and-cavaliers-move-ahead-at-city-ballet.html|title=Sugarplum Fairies and Cavaliers Move Ahead at City Ballet|work=New York Times|last=Macaulay|first=Alastair|date=February 19, 2016|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> ''[Episodes](/source/Episodes_(ballet))'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/01/arts/dance/women-fill-new-york-city-ballets-season-with-splendor.html|title=Women Fill New York City Ballet's Season With Splendor|work=New York Times|last=Macaulay|first=Alastair|date=September 30, 2016|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> first pas de trois in ''[Agon](/source/Agon_(ballet))'' and a demi-soloist in ''[Symphony in Three Movements](/source/Symphony_in_Three_Movements_(ballet))''.<ref name=corps/>  In 2015, she made her debut as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Balanchine's ''[The Nutcracker](/source/The_Nutcracker_(Balanchine))''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/24/arts/dance/the-nutcracker-gives-young-dancers-a-spotlight-role.html|title='The Nutcracker' Gives Young Dancers a Spotlight Role|work=New York Times|last=Cooper|first=Michael|date=December 24, 2015|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> In 2016, she was chosen by choreographer [Christopher Wheeldon](/source/Christopher_Wheeldon) to create a lead role in ''American Rhapsody'',<ref name=watch>{{cite news|url=https://www.dancemagazine.com/25-to-watch-2017-2307053099.html|title=Our 25 to Watch for 2017|magazine=Dance Magazine|date=December 29, 2016|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> and by [Lauren Lovette](/source/Lauren_Lovette) in ''For Clara''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/22/arts/dance/review-new-york-city-ballet-fall-fashion-and-ballet-gala.html|title=Review: City Ballet's Gala Evening of Misses ... and a Lot of Skin|work=New York Times|last=Phelan|first=Unity|date=September 22, 2016|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> Later that year, she debuted as Dewdrop in ''The Nutcracker''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/29/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-george-balanchine-the-nutcracker.html|title=Fresh Dewdrops for New York City Ballet's 'Nutcracker'|work=New York Times|last=Macaulay|first=Alastair|date=December 29, 2016|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> The following year, she originated a role in [Pontus Lidberg](/source/Pontus_Karl_Johan_Lidberg)'s ''The Shimmering Asphalt''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-ballets-winter-season-review-1485978017|title=New York City Ballet's Winter Season Review|work=Wall Street Journal|last=Greskovic|first=Robert|date=February 1, 2017|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref>

Phelan was promoted to soloist in 2017.<ref name=soloist>{{cite news|url=https://www.dancemagazine.com/unity-phelan-2356047939.html|title=The Epiphany That Made Unity Phelan An NYCB Soloist|magazine=Dance Magazine|last=Stamelman|first=Paul|date=April 11, 2017|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> Since then, she has danced featured roles, including in "Emerald" from ''[Jewels](/source/Jewels_(ballet))'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/19/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-jewels.html|title=New York City Ballet Is Back, and the Real Jewels Are the Dancers|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=September 19, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> ''[A Midsummer Night's Dream](/source/A_Midsummer_Night's_Dream_(ballet))'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/31/arts/dance/city-ballet-midsummer-nights-dream.html|title=Some Enchanted Ending: Debuts and Other Spectacular Feats at City Ballet|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=May 31, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> ''[Liebeslieder Walzer](/source/Liebeslieder_Walzer_(ballet))'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dancetabs.com/2019/03/new-york-city-ballet-prodigal-son-liebeslieder-walzer-new-york/|title=New York City Ballet – Prodigal Son, Liebeslieder Walzer – New York|work=DanceTabs|last=Harss|first=Marina|date=March 3, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> ''[Orpheus](/source/Orpheus_(ballet))'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwdance/article/Broadwayworld-Dance-Review-BalanchineStravinsky-at-New-York-City-Ballet-January-24-2019-20190126|title=Broadwayworld Dance Review: Balanchine/Stravinsky at New York City Ballet, January 24, 2019.|work=BroadwayWorld|last=Serchuk|first=Barnett|date=January 26, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> ''[Divertimento No. 15](/source/Divertimento_No._15_(ballet))'';<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-company-on-and-off-its-game-1517954334|title=A Company On and Off Its Game|work=Wall Street Journal|last=Greskovic|first=Robert|date=February 6, 2018|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> Robbins' ''[Dances at a Gathering](/source/Dances_at_a_Gathering)'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dancetabs.com/2019/10/new-york-city-ballet-dances-at-a-gathering-everywhere-we-go-new-york/|title=New York City Ballet – Dances at a Gathering, Everywhere We Go – New York|work=DanceTabs|last=Harss|first=Marina|date=October 6, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> ''[In G Major](/source/In_G_Major)''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dancetabs.com/2020/03/new-york-city-ballet-classic-nycb-ii-bill-with-new-peck-new-york/|title=New York City Ballet – Classic NYCB II bill with new Justin Peck – New York|work=DanceTabs|last=Harss|first=Marina|date=March 2, 2020|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> and ''[Antique Epigraphs](/source/Antique_Epigraphs)'';<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dancetabs.com/2018/05/new-york-city-ballet-all-robbins-no-4-bill-new-york/|title=New York City Ballet – All Robbins No. 4 bill – New York|work=DanceTabs|last=Harss|first=Marina|date=May 18, 2018|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> Wheeldon's ''[Polyphonia](/source/Polyphonia)''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://dancetabs.com/2017/10/new-york-city-ballet-liturgy-polyphonia-odessa-the-times-are-racing-new-york/|title=New York City Ballet – Liturgy, Polyphonia, Odessa, The Times are Racing – New York|work=danceTabs|last=Harss|first=Marina|date=October 8, 2017|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> and ''[DGV: Danse à Grande Vitesse](/source/DGV%3A_Danse_%C3%A0_Grande_Vitesse)'';<ref>{{cite news|url=https://bachtrack.com/review-balanchine-wheeldon-dgv-raymonda-porte-soupir-new-york-city-ballet-september-2019|title=Something for everyone: Balanchine + Wheeldon at New York City Ballet|work=Bachtrack|last=Escoda|first=Carla|date=September 20, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> and Forsythe's ''Herman Schmermen''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/25/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-21st-century-choreographers.html|title=City Ballet's 21st-Century Choreographers: Some Future Classics, Some Clunkers|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=April 25, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> She has also created roles in Peck's ''Easy'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://allarts.org/2018/05/paying-tribute-to-jerome-robbins/|title=Paying tribute to Jerome Robbins|work=All Arts|last=Stigler|first=Brett|date=May 10, 2018|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> Lovette's ''The Shaded Line''<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/27/arts/dance/review-new-york-city-ballet-fashion-gala.html|title=Review: At New York City Ballet, an Intriguing Glimpse of the Future|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=September 27, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> and Ratmansky's ''Voices''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/31/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-ratmansky-review.html|title=Review: Alexei Ratmansky Finds a New Voice at City Ballet|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=January 31, 2020|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref>

In 2017, she performed a [pas de deux](/source/pas_de_deux) in Balanchine's ''Agon'' with then-[American Ballet Theatre](/source/American_Ballet_Theatre) soloist [Calvin Royal III](/source/Calvin_Royal_III), with [Arthur Mitchell](/source/Arthur_Mitchell_(dancer)), who originated Royal's role, in the audience. Following the performance, Mitchell commented the ballet was "in good hands."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pointemagazine.com/arthur-mitchell-agon-discrimination-ballet-2492509312.html|title=Arthur Mitchell on "Agon": "My Skin Color Against Hers, It Became Part of the Choreography"|magazine=Pointe Magazine|last=Brandt|first=Amy|date=October 5, 2017|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> The following year, after Mitchell's death, Royal and Phelan reprised the ''Agon'' pas de deux at his memorial.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dancemagazine.com/arthur-mitchell-2622587525.html|title=Arthur Mitchell's Memorial Was Both A Homegoing & A Homecoming|magazine=Dance Magazine|last=Howard|first=Theresa Ruth|date=December 7, 2018|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> The same year, following the collaboration between New York City Ballet and [Puma](/source/Puma_(brand)), she took part in the latter's promotional tour in Asia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pointemagazine.com/unity-phelan-asia-tour-puma-2558995190.html|title=The Perks of Being a PUMA Brand Ambassador: NYCB's Unity Phelan's Whirlwind Tour to Asia|work=Pointe Magazine|last=Lansky|first=Chava Pearl|date=April 11, 2018|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref>

Phelan appeared in the 2019 film, ''[John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum](/source/John_Wick%3A_Chapter_3_%E2%80%93_Parabellum)'', as a ballerina who is also training to be an assassin, with the dance sequences choreographed by [Tiler Peck](/source/Tiler_Peck).<ref name=Escoyne>{{cite news|url=https://www.dancemagazine.com/unity-phelan-john-wick-2637316297.html|title=Who is That Ballerina in the New John Wick Movie?|magazine=Dance Magazine|last=Escoyne|first=Courtney|date=May 16, 2019|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> She then appeared in a [dream ballet](/source/dream_ballet) sequence in the 2020 film, ''[I'm Thinking of Ending Things](/source/I'm_Thinking_of_Ending_Things_(film))'', choreographed by [Peter Walker](/source/Peter_Walker_(dancer)).<ref name=Schrock>{{cite news|url=https://www.dancemagazine.com/im-thinking-of-ending-things-peter-walker-2647424428.html|title=Inside Peter Walker's Dance Scene in I'm Thinking of Ending Things|magazine=Dance Magazine|last=Schrock|first=Madeline|date=September 5, 2020|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> In 2020, she was featured in a campaign for [Gabriela Hearst](/source/Gabriela_Hearst).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/a33497577/gabriela-hearst-pre-fall-2020-ballet/|title=Top Ballerinas Model Gabriela Hearst's Pre-Fall Collection|magazine=Harper's Bazaar|last=Cohn|first=Alison C.|date=August 3, 2020|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref> Later that year, she danced in Andrea Miller's short film, ''New Song'', which was made for the New York City Ballet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/02/arts/dance/new-works-festival-new-york-city-ballet.html|title=Dancing on Grass and Concrete at New York City Ballet|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=November 2, 2020|accessdate=March 21, 2021}}</ref>

In 2021, Phelan was promoted to principal dancer. Her promotion came soon after the company return to performing after the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as multiple principal dancers' retirements.<ref name=Jacobs>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/07/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-promotions.html|title=City Ballet Promotes Dancers Amid Veteran Departures|work=New York Times|last=Jacobs|first=Julia|date=October 7, 2021}}</ref> Ballets she performed since her promotion include Balanchine's ''Agon'', ''[Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux](/source/Tschaikovsky_Pas_de_Deux)'',{{efn|name=composer|At the New York City Ballet, the composer's last name is spelled "Tschaikovsky" rather than "Tchaikovsky" as he used the former spelling during a visit to New York in 1891.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-performs-tchaikovsky-balanchine-works.html|title=A Four-Work Leap Into the Forefront of Classical Ballet|work=New York Times|last=Macaulay|first=Alastair|date=September 25, 2014|access-date=March 3, 2022|archive-date=January 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119233821/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/26/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-performs-tchaikovsky-balanchine-works.html|url-status=live}}</ref>}} ''[Apollo](/source/Apollo_(ballet))'' (as Terpsichore), ''[Symphony in C](/source/Symphony_in_C_(ballet))'', ''[Stravinsky Violin Concerto](/source/Stravinsky_Violin_Concerto_(ballet))'', ''[Vienna Waltzes](/source/Vienna_Waltzes)'', ''[La Sonnambula](/source/La_Sonnambula_(ballet))'' (as the Sleepwalker), ''[A Midsummer Night's Dream](/source/A_Midsummer_Night's_Dream_(ballet))'' (as Titania), ''[Swan Lake](/source/Swan_Lake_(Balanchine))'', and Robbins' ''[Piano Pieces](/source/Piano_Pieces)''.<ref name=Kourlas>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/14/arts/dance/unity-phelan-new-york-city-ballet.html|title=What Is the Power of Unity Phelan's Dancing? 'I'm Clay.'|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=October 14, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-winter-season.html|title=Winter Season at City Ballet: 'Now Is the Time for a New Generation'|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=March 2, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/31/arts/dance/new-york-city-ballet-spring-season.html|title=A Farewell and the Promise of a New Future at City Ballet|work=New York Times|last=Kourlas|first=Gia|date=May 31, 2022}}</ref> In 2022, she originated a role in Roberts' ''Emanon — in Two Movements''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/27/arts/dance/jamar-roberts-new-york-city-ballet.html|title=At City Ballet, Jamar Roberts and Dancers Find a Common Language|work=New York Times|last=Harss|first=Marina|date=January 27, 2022}}</ref> She stars as a ballerina in a fictional New York City ballet company in ''[Étoile](/source/%C3%89toile_(TV_series))'', a 2025 television series created by [Amy Sherman-Palladino](/source/Amy_Sherman-Palladino) and [Daniel Palladino](/source/Daniel_Palladino).<ref name="Phillips-2025">{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Zoe G. |date=April 28, 2025 |title=Meet the A-List Ballet Dancers at the Heart of ‘Étoile’ — and the Choreographer Who Hired Them |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/etoile-real-ballet-dancers-choreographer-interview-1236202467/ |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Stauffer-2025">{{Cite web |last=Stauffer |first=Rainesford |date=April 24, 2025 |title=What to Know About the Real Life Dancers in 'Étoile' |url=https://time.com/7280035/etoile-ballet-dancers-true-story/ |access-date=May 8, 2025 |website=Time |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
While dancing full-time, Phelan also studied at [Fordham University](/source/Fordham_University). She graduated in 2020, with a bachelor's degree in economics and organizational leadership.<ref name=laGorce/><ref name=Jacobs/>

In 2022, Phelan married Cameron Dieck, a former New York City Ballet dancer.<ref name=laGorce/> They welcomed their first child, a son, in January 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=@unityphelan |date=4 February 2026 |title=2 Becomes 3 🐣 (+🐶) |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DUWKUMekRTD/?img_index=1&igsh=MTR0bDB6eTNjeXRmdA== |access-date=8 April 2026 |website=Instagram}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Ref
|-
| 2019
| ''[John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum](/source/John_Wick%3A_Chapter_3_%E2%80%93_Parabellum)''
| Rooney / The Ballerina
| <ref name=Escoyne/>
|-
| 2020
| ''[I'm Thinking of Ending Things](/source/I'm_Thinking_of_Ending_Things)''
| Dancing Young Woman
| <ref name=Schrock/>
|-
|2025
|''[Étoile](/source/%C3%89toile_(TV_series))''
|Julie
|<ref name="Phillips-2025" /><ref name="Stauffer-2025" />
|-
|}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|nm7473729}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Phelan, Unity}}
Category:1995 births
Category:Living people
Category:People from Princeton, New Jersey
Category:American ballerinas
Category:New York City Ballet principal dancers
Category:School of American Ballet alumni
Category:Fordham University alumni
Category:Dancers from New Jersey
Category:21st-century American ballet dancers
Category:21st-century American women
Category:American film actresses

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Unity Phelan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_Phelan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unity_Phelan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.