Trailblazing ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince dies at 29

Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a trailblazing ballerina originally from Sierra Leone, has passed away at the age of 29, her spokesperson announced via her Instagram page on Friday. No cause of death has been disclosed.

"Her life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength," read the statement. "Her unwavering dedication to her art, humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us. She stood as a beacon of hope for many, proving that beauty and greatness can emerge from the darkest places."

Born Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone, DePrince was orphaned at three during the country's civil war and sent to an orphanage, where she faced mistreatment due to her vitiligo. Recalling her experiences in a 2012 interview with the Associated Press, she shared how she was given the number 27, the least favored child, and was deprived of basic necessities. After narrowly escaping a bombing at the orphanage, she walked for miles barefoot to reach a refugee camp.

At age four, DePrince was adopted by an American family, who provided her with the support she needed to pursue her passion for ballet—a dream sparked by a photo of a ballerina she had seen as a child. Despite her early love for ballet, she faced racial prejudice throughout her journey. At eight, she was told the U.S. wasn't ready for a Black ballerina, and at nine, a teacher said it wasn’t worth investing in Black dancers.

Determined, DePrince attended the prestigious Rock School for Dance Education and at 17 was featured in the documentary First Position, which followed dancers preparing for the Youth America Grand Prix. She earned a scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School before joining the Dance Theatre of Harlem as its youngest-ever principal dancer. In 2013, she joined the Dutch National Ballet's junior company and later performed with Beyoncé in Lemonade. In 2021, she became a second soloist with the Boston Ballet and starred in a ballet film adaptation of Coppélia.

Throughout her career, DePrince advocated for the inclusion of Black dancers in ballet, drawing inspiration from trailblazers like Misty Copeland and Lauren Anderson. She expressed a desire to open a school for dance and the arts in Sierra Leone, believing in the transformative power of the arts.

Despite her successes, DePrince remained committed to humanitarian work and supported War Child, an organization assisting children affected by war. In lieu of flowers, her family has asked for donations to the cause she held dear.

Mia DePrince, Michaela's sister, paid tribute to her, recalling their shared childhood in an orphanage, where they would create their own ballets. "My beautiful sister is no longer here," Mia wrote. "She was an inspiration."

DePrince's life and legacy will continue to inspire future generations, not only in the world of ballet but beyond.