The celebrated dancer reflects on transformation, legacy, and resilience
Renowned ballerina Misty Copeland, who made history in classical dance, is embracing a period of personal and artistic renewal following her farewell from the American Ballet Theatre (ABT). After years away from the stage and becoming a mother, Copeland describes this phase of her life as a rebirth.
“It’s a beautiful thing to see your body change, to acknowledge that it’s different, and to value movement in a new way,” she shared while reflecting on her return to training after giving birth in 2022. “It feels as if I’ve been reborn, with a new body to explore ballet through.”
A path defined by determination and representation
In 2015, Copeland became the first Black woman to be promoted to principal dancer at the ABT — a landmark achievement in the company’s history. Her journey began not in a traditional ballet school but in a Boys & Girls Club gym in Los Angeles, where she discovered the expressive power of movement.
She recalls the stage as the first place where she ever felt safe. Yet, the physical strain of ballet eventually led her to step away in 2020 to reassess her goals and well-being.
Social commitment and artistic gratitude
In 2022, she launched The Misty Copeland Foundation, an initiative designed to create opportunities for children from underrepresented backgrounds to see themselves reflected in ballet. That same year, she became a mother, an experience she compares to the intense mental preparation required for demanding performances.
Her recent farewell performance with the ABT served as both a personal and collective tribute. “What I represented was something far bigger than me, and I’ve always known that,” Copeland stated, expressing gratitude to the dance and Black communities who have supported her throughout her career.
