Ballet Star Michaela DePrince Passes Away at 29

Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a shining star in the world of ballet, has passed away at the age of 29. The news of her death was shared on Instagram by her spokesperson on Friday, though the cause of her passing has not yet been disclosed. DePrince was known for her remarkable achievements in ballet and her inspiring life story.

DePrince was born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone. At just three years old, she was sent to an orphanage after the death of her parents in the country's civil war. The conditions in the orphanage were harsh. DePrince faced mistreatment and malnutrition, partly because she had vitiligo, a skin condition that caused lighter patches on her skin. Despite these challenges, she showed incredible resilience.

Her journey took a turn for the better when her adoptive mother found her and her siblings in Ghana in 1999. Adopted into a loving family, DePrince moved to the United States at the age of four. Her new family supported her dreams, helping her to grow into the graceful and strong ballerina many came to admire.

DePrince's passion for ballet started when she was very young. Inspired by a picture of a ballerina, she began training in ballet at the age of five. However, her path was not always smooth. At eight, she was told that the ballet world in the US was not ready for a Black ballerina, despite being cast as Marie in The Nutcracker. Even worse, when she was nine, a teacher informed her mother that investing in Black girls was not worthwhile.

Despite these setbacks, DePrince’s talent shone through. She attended the Rock School for Dance Education, a prestigious ballet school, and later earned a scholarship to study at the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet. By 17, she was featured in First Position, a documentary about young dancers preparing for the Youth America Grand Prix.

Her career took off from there. After high school, she became the youngest principal dancer in the history of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. In 2012, she performed in her first full ballet in South Africa, and the following year, she joined the Dutch National Ballet’s junior company.

DePrince's talent was not limited to traditional ballet stages. She also appeared in Beyoncé's Lemonade music video, where she danced in an old-fashioned tutu. In 2021, she joined the Boston Ballet as a second soloist and starred in the ballet film Coppelia. Her performance in this film showcased her remarkable skills and solidified her reputation in the ballet world.

Throughout her career, DePrince was an outspoken advocate for increasing diversity in ballet. She admired pioneers like Lauren Anderson and Misty Copeland and sought to inspire a new generation of Black and brown dancers. She often spoke about her desire to see more diversity in the ballet field, using her platform to highlight the need for more inclusivity.

Even with her success, DePrince remained deeply connected to her roots. She had always dreamed of giving back to Sierra Leone, the country where she had faced so many hardships. She planned to use the proceeds from her memoir, Hope in a Ballet Shoe, to open a dance school in Sierra Leone. Her vision was to offer children in her homeland the same opportunities she had, believing that the arts could profoundly impact their lives.

DePrince’s death is a profound loss to the ballet world and beyond. Her story of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness despite numerous obstacles has inspired countless individuals. As a trailblazer, she showed that beauty and talent can emerge from the darkest places, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

Her sister Mia DePrince shared a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on their early life together and the incredible journey that led Michaela to become a celebrated ballerina. Mia’s words highlighted the deep bond between them and the significant impact Michaela had on those around her.

Michaela DePrince’s life was a testament to the power of resilience and determination. Her contributions to ballet, her advocacy for diversity, and her humanitarian efforts will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her or were inspired by her story.