Osiel Gouneo, a 35-year-old renowned ballet dancer and principal with the Bavarian State Ballet, recently made waves with his performance of Ravel's Bolero. Known for his physicality, jumps, and spins, Gouneo has toured worldwide, performing in cities like Moscow, Paris, and London. Currently in New York for a guest performance, he reflects on the financial aspects of a dancer's career. Despite his success, he underscores the precarious nature of financial security in the arts, especially for dancers like himself who often face uncertain futures. In a candid phone interview, Gouneo touches on various challenges faced by dancers, including the lack of long-term financial security and the necessity of addressing such practical aspects as retirement planning. He shares personal anecdotes that highlight both his struggles and resilience, such as his experience of carrying a toilet down the street to sell, illustrating the lengths he had to go to make ends meet. His story sheds light on the broader issue of financial vulnerability in the artistic community and the systemic issues that make planning for the future difficult. Moreover, Gouneo discusses his identity as a black man in Germany, particularly the challenges he faces in securing housing in Munich. This racial aspect adds another layer to his narrative, emphasizing the intersectionality of race and economic struggle within the realm of dance. His insights contribute to an essential conversation about the financial realities of performing artists and the need for systemic changes to better support them.