Ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, who performed with Beyoncé and was considered by many to be a pioneer, has died at the age of 29.
The spokesperson announced her death. personal Instagram page and in a statement, her family said she was “an unforgettable inspiration to all who knew her or heard her story”.
The cause of death has not yet been released.
DePrince has had a remarkable journey from the suffering of an orphan in war-torn Sierra Leone to countless awards in the international dance world.
Her family said Her death came “suddenly”, adding: “Michaela touched so many lives around the world, including ours.”
Tributes have poured in, including from the ballet community.
“Despite being told ‘the world isn’t ready for black ballerinas’ or ‘black ballerinas aren’t worth investing in,’ she remained steadfast, focused, and began to make great strides,” American ballerina Misty Copeland wrote on social media.
Born in Kenema, Sierra Leone, in 1995, DePrince was sent to an orphanage at the age of three after both her parents died in the civil war.
She said in the past about being labeled a “devil’s child” at the orphanage because she suffered from vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose their pigment.
But she was adopted by an American couple at the age of four and moved to New Jersey. Her adoptive mother quickly noticed her obsession with ballet and enrolled her in classes.
She rose to fame after graduating from high school and made history as the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
DePrince has performed around the world, including on Beyoncé’s music video album “Lemonade”.
She joined the prestigious Boston Ballet as second soloist in 2021 and competed on the television show Dancing with the Stars at the age of 17.
A dedicated humanitarian, DePrince also fights for children affected by conflict and violence.
Her spokesman wrote that her art “touched countless hearts” and her spirit “inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet and beyond”.
They added: “Her life was defined by grace, purpose and strength. Her unwavering dedication to the arts, her humanitarian efforts and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us.
“She was a beacon of hope to many, proving that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can still rise from the darkest places.”
