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Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a trailblazing ballerina known for her exceptional
talent and advocacy, passed away at the age of 29. Her sudden death, confirmed
on September 13, 2024, left the ballet community and her global admirers in deep
shock. Born in Sierra Leone as Mabinty Bangura, DePrince overcame profound
adversity, rising from an orphanage in a war-torn country to become a celebrated
figure in the world of ballet ( Rolling Out) ( Sierraloaded ) .
DePrince's life was a remarkable journey of triumph over challenges. After losing
her parents during the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone, she faced further hardship
in an orphanage, where she was considered "unlucky" due to her vitiligo, a skin
condition that causes depigmentation. However, her fate changed when an
American couple, Elaine and Charles DePrince, adopted her at the age of four. A
pivotal moment in her early years occurred when she discovered a magazine
image of a ballerina, which sparked her dream of dancing ( Peoplemag ) ( TheGrio ) .
DePrince's passion for ballet led her to pursue rigorous training. She enrolled at the
prestigious American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and,
despite facing racial and physical discrimination throughout her career, she made
history. At 17, she became the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of
Harlem. DePrince later joined the Dutch National Ballet, where she gained further
acclaim before moving on to the Boston Ballet as a principal soloist ( Rolling Out) (
Peoplemag ) .
Throughout her career, DePrince's impact extended beyond her performances. She
broke barriers as one of the few Black ballerinas to achieve such high ranks in
classical ballet, a traditionally exclusive field. Her challenges in confronting racial
prejudice in the industry were well-documented, including her experiences of
being passed over for roles because of her skin color. DePrince once reflected on
the discrimination she faced, recalling teachers who doubted her potential solely
due to her race ( Rolling Out ) ( TheGrio ).
In addition to her artistry, DePrince was a humanitarian. She served as an
ambassador for War Child Holland, advocating for children affected by conflict,
and hosted the Dare to Dream gala, which focused on the mental health of war-
affected children. Her work as an advocate was deeply informed by her own
experiences of surviving war and displacement. Her 2014 memoir, Taking Flight:
From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, co-authored with her adoptive mother, became
an international bestseller, inspiring readers worldwide. She later published Ballet
Dreams, a children's book aimed at sharing her story with younger audiences (
Sierraloaded ) ( Peoplemag ).
DePrince's legacy extends beyond the stage. She became a symbol of resilience,
breaking the mold of traditional ballet and inspiring a new generation of dancers,
particularly Black and brown dancers, who often faced similar obstacles. In a
powerful testament to her influence, she was selected by Beyoncé to perform a
solo in the "Freedom" music video from the artist's Lemonade album in 2016(
Rolling Out )( TheGrio ). DePrince often spoke of her desire to see more diversity in
ballet and was committed to using her platform to pave the way for future
generations.
Her sudden passing has left a significant void in both the artistic and humanitarian
worlds. Tributes poured in from across the globe, with friends, family, and
colleagues mourning the loss of an extraordinary artist and advocate. The Boston
Ballet, where she performed her final roles, issued a heartfelt statement
celebrating DePrince as "a beautiful person and a wonderful dancer," whose
influence would be felt for years to come( Peoplemag ).
Though her life was tragically brief, Michaela DePrince's story remains a powerful
example of perseverance, talent, and the enduring human spirit. Her journey from
war orphan to international ballet star is one that continues to inspire and
challenge societal norms, ensuring that her legacy will live on.
