Unlike his three brothers, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre soloist Alejandro Diaz did not excel at sports. He found his calling at 9 when he started dance. Now in his eighth season with the company, and third as soloist, he has had starring roles in “Swan Lake,” “Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes,” “In the Upper Room” and “Don Quixote.”
Diaz lives in Morningside with a 2-year-old English bulldog, a breed he's always loved for its affectionate and loyal personality. He's not a big cook, although he loves to make steak — and sometimes salad. He recently added lifting weights for increasing muscle mass to his Pilates exercise routine at the ballet.
The dancer's reading took a more serious turn recently when he started exploring Buddhism, which he says helps him with the subjective world of his career. “Nothing is fact-based, and it helped me wrap my head around the concept that impermanence is a good thing.”
The star who would play me in the movie version of my life:
Adrian Grenier. He's apparently my celebrity doppelganger. He'd just need to put lifts in his shoes.
Childhood hero:
My dad; he was always there.
The superpower I wish I had in real life:
I would like to be able to turn anything into cooked bacon. I really love bacon.
Favorite season:
Fall. One of my favorite things to do here in Pittsburgh is walk my dog, Hamlet, through the paths in Schenley Park on a cool autumn day. The crisp air is so calming and peaceful.
Favorite ethnic food:
Thai food
I spend the most time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other:
Instagram. Pictures are worth a thousand words.
The song I want played at my funeral:
“Don't Kill My Vibe” by Kendrick Lamar. In life, we all have a mode, and I think we all probably have one in death. And in my opinion, Kendrick uses the symbolic visual of a baptism to signify the beginning of a new era. Death is the beginning to a new chapter.
Pick one: “Veep,” “House of Cards” or “Scandal”:
I'd have to go with “House of Cards.” Anything with Kevin Spacey.
Show I have or want to binge watch:
I binge watched “Breaking Bad.”
The dessert that matches my personality:
Not sure, but I love Key lime pie.
The Disney character most like me:
Captain Hook. He's a bit of all these (and so am I): Jealous, yearns for staying young, a believer, scared and cowardly, evil, a wonderful swordsman, clever, a wonderful captain, tight-handed, hot-headed.
My favorite TV or movie villain:
Hannibal Lecter. Although he is a killer, Lecter is still a very refined gentleman. He is meticulous in appearance, speaks very precisely, has an impeccable wit, astonishing intellect, and a gourmet palate. Plus, it's Anthony Hopkins!
Movie I could watch every time it appears on cable:
“Gladiator.” Russell Crowe is the man.
The movie that always makes me cry:
“Life Is Beautiful.” I challenge anyone to watch it without crying.
If I were auditioning for “American Idol,” my song would be:
“Dream On” by Aerosmith. I would absolutely butcher it but would love every second of it. All-time favorite song.
The first band I saw in concert:
The Decemberists. I saw them here in Pittsburgh at the Benedum Center in 2009 — great concert.
The best concert I've ever seen:
The Avett Brothers with my brother in D.C. It was at an amphitheater outside. I had the best time just jamming out with my brother.
Celebrity crush:
Jennifer Lawrence
Favorite guilty pleasure:
Reese's eggs — and bacon
Something I would do over if I could:
I would relearn how to tie my shoes without using the bunny-ears method. It's haunted me my entire life!
Favorite lunchtime spot:
Lili Cafe in Polish Hill
My favorite sandwich, plus fixings:
Thanksgiving in a sandwich with bacon
My most embarrassing junk food:
Gooski's Garlic Parm Chicken Wings
My favorite Pittsburgh pizza:
Pizza Taglio
Pick one: Cheetos, Cheez-It or Cheerios:
Cheez-It — extra toasty
The most dangerous thing I've ever done:
Flipped a car with my brothers. Not proud of this.
Best vacation ever:
A vacation I took with my family to Key West when I was 11 or 12. I just remember having the best time snorkeling and eating conch fritters.
Place I'd most like to visit:
Bora Bora. Anytime I've ever seen a photo of the huts over the crystal-blue waters, it just calls my name.
I wish I had more time to:
Eat bacon
My favorite thing about Pittsburgh:
The views from Polish Hill
Three people I'd love to have dinner with:
(Ballet dancer) Carlos Acosta, The Notorious B.I.G. and Jennifer Lawrence
One word my mother would use to describe me:
Disciplined. Mom always said I had a controlled and methodical work ethic. She could see it in me from a young age.
In high school, I was:
A toothpick with braces
If I could go back, I'd tell my teenage self:
Don't be a loser — eat more bacon.
My childhood nickname:
Doofy. Imagine being a gangly 6'1”, 165 lb. teen with braces. You'd be called Doofy, too!
My first job:
A position in Boston Ballet II
My worst job:
Labor worker for a rice-packaging company
I'm deathly afraid of:
Lizards
Favorite Pittsburgh-area landmark:
Mt. Washington
The person I'm most often mistaken for:
Adrian Grenier
Happiness is:
Bacon
My most treasured fashion accessory:
White T-shirts
My most memorable fashion mistake:
Cargo pleather pants, a Fat Albert shirt and (Nike) Air Force Ones
If I weren't a dancer, I'd be:
There is no other choice for me.
My favorite website:
If I could live my life as someone else, it would be:
Justin Timberlake — he is unstoppable. He can do it all!
My personal motto:
Nothing lasts, so don't hang on too tightly.
Overused phrase I hate most:
The air quotations with hands
People would be surprised to know that I:
Really love tattoos and have several myself. I've always felt that they represent a piece of myself at a specific point in my life. They mark moments in time I hope to never forget.
