Michaela DePrince, a remarkable ballet dancer and humanitarian who overcame a challenging childhood, has passed away at the age of 29, as announced by a spokesperson on her Instagram account on Friday.
Born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone, DePrince faced a tragic early life as an orphan. While living in an orphanage, she discovered a magazine photo of an American ballet dancer that sparked her dreams. “All I remember is she looked really, really happy,” DePrince recalled in a 2012 interview. From that moment, she aspired to become like the dancer in the picture.
During her time in the orphanage, DePrince endured mistreatment and malnutrition, coupled with the skin condition vitiligo. She shared her story of being treated poorly due to her condition, ranking as the least favorite among the children, which meant she received minimal food and clothing.
In a desperate bid for safety, DePrince walked barefoot for miles to reach a refugee camp after learning her orphanage was under threat of bombing. She was later adopted by a couple from Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and relocated to the United States at the age of four. Her adoptive mother recalled receiving a traumatized child in poor health.
Despite her difficult past, DePrince found solace in dance. She began training and later attended the prestigious Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia. Throughout her career, however, she faced racial discrimination, with hurtful remarks made by teachers about her potential as a black ballerina.
Undeterred, DePrince made significant strides in the ballet world. By 17, she was featured in a documentary and appeared on “Dancing With the Stars.” She graduated from high school and the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and made history as the youngest principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Her professional journey included a notable performance in South Africa in 2012, and she joined the Dutch National Ballet junior company in 2013, later advancing to the main company in 2014. DePrince inspired countless Black and brown girls through her achievements.
Her fame soared further when she danced in Beyoncé’s 2016 film “Lemonade.” In 2018, Madonna considered directing a biopic based on DePrince’s life story. In 2021, she joined the Boston Ballet as a second soloist, performing in the lead role in the ballet film “Coppelia.”
Beyond her dance career, DePrince dedicated herself to humanitarian efforts, advocating for children affected by war and violence. She served as an ambassador for War Child Holland, an organization focused on providing support and education for children in conflict zones.
Details regarding the cause of her death and memorial services have not yet been disclosed by her family and friends. A spokesperson expressed the profound impact DePrince had on those around her, highlighting her grace, strong purpose, and ability to inspire others through her art and resilience in the face of adversity.