1 week ago
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Ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, who performed with Beyoncé and was seen by galore arsenic a trailblazer, has died astatine the property of 29.
A spokesperson announced her decease connected her personal Instagram page and successful a connection her household said she was an "unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her oregon heard her story".
The origin of decease has not been given.
DePrince made a singular travel from suffering arsenic an orphan successful war-torn Sierra Leone to galore accolades successful the satellite of planetary dance.
Her household said her decease had been "sudden", adding: "Michaela touched truthful galore lives crossed the world, including ours."
Tributes person been pouring in, including from others successful the ballet community.
“Despite being told the 'world wasn’t acceptable for achromatic ballerinas' oregon that 'black ballerinas weren’t worthy investing in,' she remained determined, focused, and began making large strides,” American ballerina Misty Copeland wrote connected societal media.
Born successful Kenema, Sierra Leone, successful 1995, DePrince was sent to an orphanage astatine the property of 3 aft some of her parents died during the civilian war.
She has spoken successful the past astir however she was seen arsenic a "devil's child" successful the orphanage due to the fact that she suffered from vitiligo, a information successful which patches of tegument suffer pigmentation.
But she was adopted aged 4 by an American mates and moved to New Jersey. Her adoptive parent rapidly noticed her obsession with ballet and enrolled her successful classes.
She roseate to fame aft graduating from precocious schoolhouse and made past arsenic the youngest main dancer astatine the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
DePrince has performed crossed the world, including successful Beyoncé's "Lemonade" euphony video album.
She joined the prestigious Boston Ballet arsenic a 2nd soloist successful 2021 and starred successful the TV amusement Dancing with the Stars erstwhile she was conscionable 17.
A dedicated humanitarian, DePrince besides advocated for children affected by struggle and violence.
Her spokesperson wrote that her artistry "touched countless hearts" and her tone had "inspired many, leaving an indelible people connected the satellite of ballet, and beyond".
They added: "Her beingness was 1 defined by grace, purpose, and strength. Her unwavering committedness to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courageousness successful overcoming unimaginable challenges volition everlastingly animate us.
"She stood arsenic a beacon of anticipation for many, showing that nary substance the obstacles, quality and greatness tin emergence from the darkest of places."
English (US)