In 1996, at the age of 18, Abbagnato graduated and joined the corps de ballet of the Opera, where she made a rapid ascent: Coryphée in 1999, Sujet in 2000, Premiere Danseuse in 2001 and Étoile in March 2013. In 2007, Abbagnato debuted as an actress in the film ''
Il 7 e l'8 with Ficarra e Picone. On 18 February 2009, she joined Paolo Bonolis in hosting the second night of the Sanremo Music Festival. The same year, she released her autobiography Un angelo sulle punte
(An Angel on her toes''). In 2012, she was the subject of a photographic exhibition with pictures by that was held in
Milan,
Los Angeles,
London and
Miami. In 2015, Abbagnato was appointed director of the
corps de ballet of the
Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. Abbagnato was first set to retire from Paris Opera Ballet after a performance of
Le Parc in 2019. However, due to the dancers' strike, her farewell had to be delayed. She then chose to have special performance that features works she danced over the course of her career. The show was scheduled on 18 May 2020. However, due to the
COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the performing arts, the performance was cancelled. She eventually bade her farewell to the stage on 12 June 2021 performing a
Hommage a Roland Petit. ==Personal life==