Sierra Leonean ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, known for her appearances on “Dancing with the Stars” and in Beyoncé’s “Lemonade,” passed away on Friday at the age of 29. Her family shared the news on her Instagram account, which was later confirmed through a statement on Facebook.
The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
In their statement, her family expressed deep sadness over her sudden passing, highlighting the impact she had on numerous lives globally. They described her as an unforgettable inspiration to all who knew her or were familiar with her story.
Members of the ballet community, including renowned American ballerina Misty Copeland, shared their grief. Copeland posted a video of DePrince dancing on social media, along with a passage from her own book, “Black Ballerinas,” honoring DePrince’s determination in the face of challenges.
Michaela DePrince, originally named Mabinty Bangura, was born in Kenema, Sierra Leone, on January 6, 1995. During the civil war, she was taken to an orphanage at the age of three by her uncle.
In her 2014 memoir “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina,” DePrince reflected on her experiences of isolation due to vitiligo and struggles with malnutrition. In 1999, she was adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince from New Jersey, who encouraged her passion for ballet by enrolling her in classes. At 14, she received a scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School to study ballet.
DePrince gained recognition after her appearance in the 2011 documentary “First Position” and had a successful career, performing worldwide and holding the position of second soloist with the Boston Ballet, while also serving as a motivational speaker.