International
Trailblazing Ballerina Michaela DePrince Dies At 29
Her death was announced through a post on her personal Instagram page by a family spokesperson, while her loved ones issued a heartfelt statement, calling her “an unforgettable inspiration to all who knew her or were touched by her story.”
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The cause of her death has not yet been disclosed, though her family described it as “sudden.” Michaela’s life story is one of resilience and triumph, rising from the hardships of being an orphan in war-ravaged Sierra Leone to becoming a celebrated figure in the international dance community.
Her family expressed their grief, stating, “Michaela touched so many lives across the world, including ours.” Her sister, Mia Mabinty DePrince, shared her sorrow, saying she is “in a state of shock and deep sadness” at the loss of her “beautiful sister.”
Since the news of her passing, tributes have been pouring in, especially from within the ballet world, where Michaela’s impact and legacy are deeply felt.
“Despite being told the ‘world wasn’t ready for black ballerinas’ or that ‘black ballerinas weren’t worth investing in,’ she remained determined, focused, and began making big strides,” American ballerina Misty Copeland wrote on social media.
Born in Kenema, Sierra Leone, in 1995, DePrince was sent to an orphanage at the age of three after both of her parents died during the civil war.
She has spoken in the past about how she was seen as a “devil’s child” in the orphanage because she suffered from vitiligo, a condition in which patches of skin lose pigmentation.
But she was adopted aged four by an American couple and moved to New Jersey. Her adoptive mother quickly noticed her obsession with ballet and enrolled her in classes.
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She rose to fame after graduating from high school and made history as the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
DePrince has performed across the world, including in Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” music video album.
She joined the prestigious Boston Ballet as a second soloist in 2021 and starred in the TV show Dancing with the Stars when she was just 17.
A dedicated humanitarian, DePrince also advocated for children affected by conflict and violence.
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