In 1954, Herko attended a staging of Giselle and became fascinated with the Russian lead Igor Youskevitch. Herko soon decided to pursue a career as a ballet dancer. When Herko told his parents of his decision, his “macho, working-class” father became enraged and beat him.
In 1954, Herko saw a performance of Giselle featuring the Russian lead Igor Youskevitch and was inspired to become a ballet dancer. When he told his parents about his decision, his father, who had a traditional view of masculinity, reacted violently by beating him.