Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a pioneering figure in the ballet community, has passed away at the age of 29, as confirmed by a spokesperson on her Instagram account. The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
The announcement described her life as one filled with “grace, purpose, and strength.” It highlighted her dedication to ballet, her philanthropic efforts, and her remarkable resilience in facing significant hardships. DePrince is remembered as a source of inspiration for many, demonstrating that beauty and achievement can emerge from the most dire circumstances.
Following the news of DePrince’s death, her sister, Mia DePrince, expressed her profound shock and sorrow in a statement. She reminisced about their early days in an orphanage in Africa, where they created their own theatrical performances and imagined ballets before being adopted by their parents, who supported their dreams.
Born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone, DePrince entered an orphanage at the age of three after losing her parents during the civil war. She recounted experiences of mistreatment and neglect during her time there, feeling marginalized due to her vitiligo.
After hearing of an impending bombing at the orphanage, DePrince recalled making a long, barefoot journey to a refugee camp. She was adopted at the age of four, along with her sisters, and moved to the United States.
DePrince’s love for ballet began when she saw a photo of a ballerina at a young age. Despite beginning her ballet training at five, she faced numerous obstacles, including racial discrimination that discouraged her pursuit of a career in dance. She eventually attended the prestigious Rock School for Dance Education and gained recognition for her talent.
At 17, she appeared in the documentary “First Position,” which followed young dancers preparing for a major competition. She later received a scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet and became the youngest principal dancer in the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s history.
Her professional career included performances in South Africa and later in the junior company of the Dutch National Ballet. DePrince gained wider recognition for her performance in Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” and subsequently joined the Boston Ballet.
During her time at the Boston Ballet, DePrince spoke about the importance of representation in ballet, crediting Black dancers who paved the way for her. She expressed a strong desire to increase diversity in the field and was committed to using her platform to advocate for inclusion.
Beyond her artistic achievements, DePrince harbored dreams of establishing a dance school in Sierra Leone, aiming to provide opportunities for children in her homeland. She believed in the transformative power of the arts and was dedicated to giving back.
In her family’s message following her passing, they encouraged those who wished to honor DePrince to support War Child, an organization she was passionate about, which assists children impacted by conflict. They stated that the contributions would significantly impact those in need, reflecting the values DePrince championed throughout her life.