Born in Sierra Leone, Michaela Mabinty DePrince carved an impressive mark in the world of classical ballet. From her remarkable journey of overcoming the trauma of war in her native land, to gaining global recognition as a prima ballerina, and even starring in a Beyonce video, DePrince strove to inspire many with her strength and resilience. Following the recent announcement of her untimely passing at the tender age of 29, the world mourns the loss of a vibrant, talented, and relentless spirit.
Born as Mabinty Bangura in the midst of Sierra Leone’s Civil War, DePrince’s life was far from ordinary. Orphaned at the age of three, she was abandoned by her uncle at an orphanage. This raw, challenging start to her life could have sent her life spiraling into despair, but fate had a different story to write. Amidst the rubble and grief, a magazine cover featuring a ballerina became DePrince’s beacon of hope. Clutching onto the belief that she could escape war-ravaged Sierra Leone by becoming a ballet dancer, she held onto her dream with undiluted determination.
When she was adopted by an American couple, Elaine and Charles DePrince, and relocated to the U.S., her chance to convert this dream into reality presented itself. The DePrinces nurtured her talent and nurtured her passion, demonstrating an unquestionable belief in her ability. With their support, she soon started to learn ballet and garnered recognition for her talent.
Against the backdrop of historically Eurocentric views in classical ballet, she was an exception, a flagbearer for black women everywhere. Her luminous talent and unwavering determination carried her from the dance studios of Philadelphia to the world stage. Progressing through numerous competitions and performances, she danced her way onto the prestigious stages of the American Ballet Theatre and the Dutch National Ballet, becoming one of the few black ballerinas to achieve such global acclaim.
However, Michaela didn’t limit herself to the stage. Her inspiring journey translated perfectly onto paper, leading to the creation of her memoir Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina. The book narrates her brutal yet inspiring journey, divulging her unrelenting spirit and the power of dream, serving as an inspiring tapestry of hope for many worldwide.
In addition to her ballet career, DePrince was internationally recognized for her appearance in pop culture. In 2016, DePrince was cast in Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade, where she masterfully exhibited her ballet skills, gracing the project with artistic integrity and grace, further solidifying her widespread recognition.
The resonance of DePrince’s journey is extensive. Emerging from the ruins of a violent civil war, her narrative asserts the power of agency, determination, and resilience in the face of adversity. Her inspirational life serves as proof that talent and ambition can overcome seemingly unsurpassable hurdles.
The passing of Michaela Mabinty DePrince at the tender age of 29 is a tremendous loss for the arts community and the world. She lived a full life filled with exquisite dance, powerful messages, and inspired millions with her invincible spirit. And though walks across world stages have been stilled, her indomitable spirit, radiant talent, and groundbreaking contributions to ballet will continue to inspire countless dancers worldwide and echo in the annals of ballet history.
