Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a renowned Sierra Leonean ballerina who featured in “Dancing with the Stars” and Beyonce’s “Lemonade” music video album, passed away on Friday at the age of 29, as confirmed by her family. Her death was first announced on her Instagram and later on Facebook in a statement by her family.
“It is with profound sadness we announce the sudden passing of our beautiful sister, Michaela Mabinty DePrince, She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story,” her family expressed.
The ballet community, including American ballerina Misty Copeland, paid tribute to DePrince. Copeland shared a video of DePrince dancing and referenced her in her book “Black Ballerinas.”
Copeland wrote about how DePrince, despite being told that the world wasn’t ready for Black ballerinas, remained determined and made significant strides in the ballet world.
Born Mabinty Bangura in Kenema, Sierra Leone, on January 6, 1995, Michaela DePrince was placed in an orphanage by her uncle during the civil war when she was just three.
In her 2014 memoir, “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina,” she detailed her isolation due to vitiligo and her struggles with malnutrition.
Adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince from New Jersey in 1999, she began ballet classes at four. At 14, DePrince received a scholarship to study ballet at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.
Michaela DePrince gained prominence with her appearance in the 2011 documentary *First Position*.
She performed internationally and joined the prestigious Boston Ballet as a second soloist while also serving as a motivational speaker.
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