Ballet star Michaela Mabinty DePrince has passed away at the age of 29, a spokesperson announced on her Instagram page on Friday, September 13, 2024. No cause of death has yet been reported, but the news has left her fans, family, and the dance world in shock.
DePrince’s life was one of extraordinary triumph over adversity. Born as Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone, she was orphaned at just three years old after her parents died during the country’s brutal civil war. Left in an orphanage where she faced severe neglect and mistreatment due to her vitiligo, a skin condition, DePrince was ranked as the least favored child in the facility, given little food or care. Her early life was marked by hardship, but it was also during these dark times that her love for ballet was born. A single picture of a ballerina, found in a magazine, sparked her passion and gave her hope.
At the age of four, DePrince was adopted by an American family, alongside her close friend Mia, who later became her sister. After arriving in the United States, her adoptive parents supported her dream of becoming a dancer. Despite encountering racism and skepticism within the ballet world, DePrince’s talent and determination pushed her to succeed. She began formal training in ballet at five and quickly showed immense potential, even as teachers and mentors doubted her prospects because of her race.
In a heartfelt statement following her death, DePrince’s sister Mia DePrince shared her sorrow. “From the very beginning of our story back in Africa, sleeping on a shared mat in the orphanage, Michaela and I used to make up our own ballets… She was an inspiration.”
DePrince’s rise to fame came after her appearance in the 2011 documentary First Position, which chronicled the journeys of several young dancers as they prepared for the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix. Her story of perseverance and success captured the hearts of many. She earned a scholarship to study at the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet and later became the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
In 2013, DePrince joined the Dutch National Ballet’s junior company, marking a major milestone in her professional career. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a soloist and gaining international acclaim for her performances. In 2021, she joined the Boston Ballet as a second soloist and starred in a filmed production of Coppélia, further solidifying her status as a top talent in the ballet world.
Even as she achieved great success on the stage, DePrince never forgot her roots. She was deeply committed to humanitarian work, particularly for children affected by war, like herself. She supported organizations like War Child and dreamed of opening a dance school in Sierra Leone to provide opportunities for underprivileged children.
Despite her success, DePrince faced many challenges throughout her career. In a 2021 interview, she spoke about the barriers faced by Black dancers in the ballet world, noting the scarcity of representation. She expressed gratitude for role models like Lauren Anderson and Misty Copeland, who paved the way for dancers like her, but acknowledged that more work needed to be done. “There are practically no Black people in ballet, so I need to speak out,” she said in an interview with The Guardian. Her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the arts was a crucial part of her legacy.
DePrince’s talent extended beyond traditional ballet audiences. In 2016, she appeared in Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade, performing in a striking scene that brought her further into the cultural spotlight. Her dancing in an old-fashioned tutu and headpiece was a powerful image of strength and beauty.
Her death has shocked those who followed her career and those who were inspired by her life story. Tributes have poured in from across the globe, with fans, fellow dancers, and celebrities expressing their grief and admiration for her remarkable journey. DePrince’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to War Child, an organization close to her heart.
Though her life was tragically cut short, Michaela DePrince’s impact on the world of ballet and beyond will not be forgotten. She was a trailblazer, breaking barriers in a field that often excluded people of color, and a beacon of hope for those facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of dancers and artists, proving that grace, beauty, and greatness can indeed rise from the darkest places.
