5 Things To Know About Michaela Mabinty DePrince

On Sept. 14, family members announced the “sudden” passing of 29-year-old ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince who many regarded as a trailblazer in the dance world. A cause of death has not yet been revealed.

Michaela’s family wrote that her “life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength” as her steadfast dedication to ballet, coupled with her humanitarian efforts and bravery in facing unimaginable challenges, inspired many to fight for their dreams. 

“She has been a beacon of hope, demonstrating that beauty and greatness can emerge even from the darkest of circumstances,” the family added.

From performing with Beyoncé to breaking barriers in the world of ballet, here are five things you should know about Michaela Mabinty DePrince.

1. She overcame adversity living in Sierra Leone.

Michaela’s early life was marked by significant hardship. Born in Sierra Leone during the civil war, she lost her parents due to the conflict in the country at a young age and was sent to an orphanage where she faced extreme poverty and challenges. 

“I got out of a terrible place,” the ballet icon told BBC News during a 2012 interview. “I had no idea I would be here – I’m living my dream every single day.” 

During her time in the orphanage, Michaela was an outcast due to her battle with vitiligo, a condition in which patches of skin lose pigmentation. The “Aunties” running the orphanage saw this as a sign of an evil spirit in the 3-year-old and treated her with intense hostility, a memory that was forever ingrained in her head. She was given the number 27, which meant she was “least favorite” among the orphans.

Michaela DePrince performs ‘Giselle’ with the English National ballet at the Coliseum on January 13, 2017 in London, England. Source: Ian Gavan / Getty

“They thought of me as a devil’s child. They told me every day how I wasn’t going to get adopted, because nobody would want a devil’s child,” she said. 

Little did Michaela know that hope and transformation were just around the corner. After the heart-wrenching loss of her beloved teacher at the orphanage, she came across a discarded magazine that would profoundly influence her future. On the cover of the magazine was a ballerina, and that moment sparked a dream that would eventually propel her to a distinguished career in ballet.

“There was a lady on it, she was on her tippy-toes, in this pink, beautiful tutu. I had never seen anything like this – a costume that stuck out with glitter on it, with just so much beauty. I could just see the beauty in that person and the hope and the love and just everything that I didn’t have. And I just thought: ‘Wow! This is what I want to be,'” Michaela recalled.

2. She made a triumphant move to the U.S.

At the age of 4, Michaela and her adoptive sister, Mia, who had also been in the orphanage, were taken in by Elaine DePrince and her husband. They moved to New Jersey, where they were provided with a nurturing and supportive environment. Michaela’s adoptive parents quickly recognized her passion for ballet and enrolled her in dance classes to help develop her skills. The stable and encouraging setting allowed her to pursue ballet professionally.

According to her website, the iconic dancer studied at the Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theatre, where she became a protege of ballet icon Misty Copeland.

Michaela worked tirelessly to hone and refine her skills so she could overcome the multitude of stereotypes tied to conventional beauty and racial barriers in the predominately white world of ballet. While reflecting on the young dancer’s short yet incredible impact in an Instagram post published Sept. 14, Copeland said “colorism” was an issue that Michaela faced several times throughout her career. 

“She was a prodigious talent and the first darker-skinned dancer I witnessed come through the program. Colorism is without a doubt an issue in the professional ballet world, and her vitiligo differentiated her aesthetic even further,” Copeland penned. “As the audition season ended, I was shocked that she didn’t receive a company contract, as she was the brightest star to come out of the school.”

Despite facing adversity, Michaela went on to become the youngest principal dancer to attend the prestigious Dance Theatre of Harlem, thanks to a recommendation from Copeland.

“After her year at DTH and a tour abroad, her trajectory outside the ballet world began to skyrocket,” Copeland said of the Sierra Leone native.

3. She made an impact.

Michaela DePrince attends the Tommy Hilfiger presentation in Milan during the Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020 on September 16, 2019 in Milan, Italy. Source: Pietro D’Aprano / Getty

Michaela made notable strides in and beyond the ballet world. She joined the prestigious Boston Ballet as a second soloist in 2021 and starred in Dancing with the Stars at just 17. The legendary ballerina also appeared in Beyoncé’s acclaimed Lemonade visual album and was a prominent spokesperson for several major brands, including J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Microsoft. She has also collaborated with fashion giants like Jockey and Tommy Hilfiger and has been featured in top magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Numéro and Vogue.

In addition to her entertainment achievements, Michaela delivered a popular TedTalk and spoke alongside Barack Obama at the Forward Leadership Event. Most recently, she starred in the family film Coppélia, which combines live-action dance with animation. The film premiered at the Annecy Festival in France to critical acclaim and is set to appear at other film festivals before its cinematic release later this fall.

4. She was an author and advocate.

Ballerina Michaela DePrince teaches a ballet class at the Jockey “Show’Em What’s Underneath, Show’Em Your Jockey” Event in NYC at One World Observatory on April 26, 2017 in New York City. Source: Jason Kempin / Getty

In addition to her dancing career, Michaela was a passionate advocate for humanitarian causes. She co-authored a memoir, Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, which details her inspiring journey and the challenges she overcame living in war-torn Sierra Leone. Through her memoir and public speaking engagements, she raised awareness about issues such as child exploitation and the plight of orphans.

Michaela’s advocacy work extends beyond the stage, as she actively supported various charitable organizations and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of children in need. She served as an ambassador for War Child Holland and hosted her “Dare to Dream” gala internationally. The special event was dedicated to advancing the well-being and mental health of children living in conflict zones around the world. 

Following Michaela’s passing, her family urged fans to keep supporting and donating to her philanthropic efforts, emphasizing that her work with the organization was deeply meaningful and “meant the world to her.”

5. She had a close relationship with her sister Mia.

Michaela and her sister Mia were exceptionally close. Mia, identified as number 26 in the orphanage due to being left-handed, formed a deep bond with Michaela, united by their unique differences. Despite being discouraged from interacting with the other girls in the orphanage, the two shared a sleeping mat together. At night, when Michaela had troubling dreams, Mia, her “mat-mate,” would comfort her with soothing words and stories, BBC News noted.

In a poignant Facebook post shared on Sept. 14, Mia reflected on the profound loss of her sister, expressing her “shock” and grief. She reminisced about Michaela’s early dreams of becoming a ballet dancer and cherished the beautiful memories they created together.

“I used to make up our own musical theater plays and act them out. We created our own ballets. She would choreograph, and I was the composer and conductor. When we got adopted, our parents quickly poured into our dreams and arose the beautiful, gracefully strong ballerina that so many of you knew her as today. She was an inspiration,” Mia penned. “Whether she was leaping across the stage or getting on a plane and flying to third-world countries to provide orphans and children with dance classes, she was determined to conquer all her dreams in the arts and dance. Michaela has left her footprints in the sand and on so many stages across the world. She will be truly missed.”

Michaela’s journey from a war-torn orphanage in Sierra Leone to the spotlight of international ballet stages is nothing short of extraordinary. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and triumph that will continue to inspire millions around the world.

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