Ballerina Misty Copeland has been a trailblazer in the world of dance, becoming the first Black Principal Dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. The stunning soloist who has had lead roles in shows like “The Nutcracker,” “Swan Lake” and “Don Quixote” knows how difficult it is for dancers of color to find doors open to them, which is why she has done her part to pay it forward through her non-profit, The Misty Copeland Foundation, which works to make dance more accessible and affordable.
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Now, the 43-year-old is preparing for her final curtain call at Lincoln Center on Oct. 22 with her last performance with the American Ballet Theatre. Although she is hanging up her toe shoes, she plans to continue to do her part to encourage and support the next generation of dancers.
“Although I’ll be saying farewell to the stage, I’ll always be committed to opening doors, creating space, and making ballet a place where everyone belongs,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
While she has giving us so many amazing moments during her time on stage, we’re taking a look at Misty Copeland’s career in pictures.
California Girl
Misty Copeland was born on Sept. 10, 1982 in Kansas City, Miss. and was raised with her five siblings in San Pedro, Calif. After a drill team coach noticed her talent in middle school, she was encouraged to study dance at her local Boys & Girls Club. As a teenager, Copeland went on to train at the prestigious San Francisco Ballet School.
Joining American Ballet Theatre
After winning a full scholarship to the American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive program, Copeland was invited to join ABT’s corps de ballet in April 2001 when she was 18 years old. By 2007, she made history becoming the company’s second Black female soloist.
Becoming a Principal Dancer
(Lillian Cunningham/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Misty Copeland’s star rose quickly, and by 2015, she was named a Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre, the first Black woman to have the role in the company’s history.
Prestigious Roles
Copeland has performed all over the world with ABT, gracing the stage in prominent roles, including Odette/Odile in “Swan Lake” and Juliet in ”Romeo & Juliet.”
Broadway Debut
Copeland made her Broadway debut in 2o15, when she joined the cast of “On the Town,” playing aspiring ballet dancer Ivy Smith.
The Root 100
The Root honored Misty for her artistry and her activism by naming her to the 2023 Root 100 list. She accepted her award at a star-studded gala held at the Apollo Theater, where in a speech, she acknowledged the significance of the historic Harlem venue.
“As someone who performs in theaters all around the world, it means so much to be in a place where we are seen and we are heard. This is our home and we see ourselves represented and reflected,” she said.
Spokesperson
A positive role model for young women and people of color, Misty has been the face of several marketing campaigns, including one for athletic brand Under Armour.
“She brings a modern athleticism to a very traditional art form and pushes the boundaries of the status quo definition of the word ‘athlete,’” said Leanne Fremar, Under Armour, SVP and Executive Creative Director, Under Armour Women’s in a statement about the campaign.
Giving Back
Misty Danielle Copeland, first African-American performer to be appointed a principal dancer at the ABT, was appointed US State Department Sports and Cultural Ambassador. (Photo credit ERNESTO MASTRASCUSA/AFP via Getty Images)
Misty Copeland has always had a passion for helping others, and has used her platform working with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and ABT’s Project Plié diversity program. In 2014, she was appointed by President Obama to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition
Fashion Forward
Even when she’s not dancing, Misty Copeland is stunning, gracing red carpets at Fashion Week events and premieres all over the world.
NYU PhD
In 2023, Copeland was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University for her trailblazing contributions to the field of dance in a ceremony held at Yankee Stadium.
Copeland posted about the event on Instagram, calling the honor, “beyond my wildest dreams.”
Family Life
In 2016, Copeland tied the knot with attorney Olu Evans in Laguna Beach, California. The pair were introduced by Evans’ cousin, actor Taye Diggs. Copeland, who says Evans was her first real relationship, credits her husband with helping her face her issues head on.
“He was my first boyfriend,” she told Elle in an interview. “He taught me to communicate in ways I’d never learned before, to not run away from problems, and sit down and think about things critically. And he made me feel like I really did have a bright future as a ballerina.”
The couple are parents to a son, Jackson, who was born in 2022.
Honoring Legends
While Copeland’s accomplishments have made her an inspiration for many, she has never forgotten those who paved the way for her, including Alvin Ailey TK Judith Jamison. Copeland had the honor of presenting Jamison with the Living Legend Award at the 2018 Black Girls Rock! event at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and posted a touching tribute after her passing in 2024.
“Her work as a dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of @alvinailey has left a lasting mark on our world. Her passion and influence have inspired generations and will continue to shape the future of dance,” Copeland wrote on Instagram.
Big Screen Debut
Copeland has also taken her talent to the big screen. In 2023, she produced and starred in the 28-minute film “Flower.” Copeland’s character, Rose, is a dance teacher and waitress, who is struggling to make ends meet and care for her mother with dementia in their gentrifying Oakland, California neighborhood. In an interview, she stressed the importance of using dance to tell more inclusive stories.
“This is the direction that dance and ballet should be moving in—telling these types of stories that will invite different communities and make them feel seen and heard,” she said.
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