Dancing sensation Michaela Mabinty DePrince from Sierra Leone, prominent in Beyoncé's music video, passes away at 29 years old.
"Her life was one of grace, passion, and resilience, leaving an indelible mark on us with her dedication to her craft, charitable endeavors, and courage in conquering seemingly insurmountable hurdles." is how the post stated.
"She stood as a symbol of resurgence for numerous individuals, demonstrating that no matter the adversities, radiance and greatness can rise from the darkest of abysses."
No cause of death has been revealed. Her sister Mia expressed her shock and profound sadness.
DePrince made history as the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and proceeded to dance with the Dutch National Ballet and the Boston Ballet, where she held the position of second soloist.
Her talent gained broader recognition with a cameo in ‘Lemonade’, the video accompanying Beyoncé’s eponymous album. DePrince shared with the WSJ that she felt it was a prank when she heard Beyoncé wanted her for the video, who in turn told DePrince it was an 'honor' to have her star.
Born during Sierra Leone’s gruesome conflict and relocated to an orphanage after both of her biological parents passed away – her father was killed by rebels and her mother succumbed to starvation – DePrince's early life was marked by the atrocities of war.
At the orphanage, she was dubbed "the devil's child" and suffered maltreatment from orphanage caretakers due to her vitiligo – a skin condition that results in light patches. She witnessed one of her teachers being murdered by rebels and was injured by a young boy while attempting to protect herself.
“I have a scar from it and it was a blackout following that incident – I have no idea how I survived it, it was harrowing,” shared DePrince in a 2012 interview with CNN.
Called Mabinty Bangura during birth, DePrince first laid eyes on a ballerina on the cover of a magazine outside the orphanage when she was just three years old.
“I was simply captivated by this individual, by her ethereal beauty, and the resplendent costume she was wearing,” said DePrince. Though she had no concept of ballet, she kept the magazine cover and yearned to become as joyous as the dancer in the photo.
Shortly after, DePrince was adopted by a couple from New Jersey and embarked on a new life in the United States. Her family nurtured her love for ballet and enrolled her in classes.
“From our humble beginnings in Africa, sharing a mat in the orphanage, Michaela (Mabinty) and I used to act out our own musical theater plays and ballet performances,” wrote her sister Mia, who was also born in Sierra Leone and adopted by the same family, in a statement.
DePrince went on to secure a full scholarship to the American Ballet Theater’s summer intensive at the age of 13 and received another scholarship in the youth America Grand Prix, the world's biggest ballet competition.
It was not a voyage without prejudice. As a Black girl in the predominantly white realm of ballet, she considered giving up at the age of 10 when a teacher declared her talent unworthy of investment.
But her desire persisted. “I’m committed to altering people’s perception of Black dancers, that we can become delicate dancers, that we can be ballerinas,” she told CNN at the age of seventeen.
“Overcoming being told ‘the world isn’t ready for Black ballerinas’ or that ‘Black ballerinas aren’t worth investing in,’ she remained resolute, focused, and steadily making advances,” wrote dancer Misty Copeland in a tribute posted to social media. “Michaela had much more to offer,” she concluded.
In 2014, DePrince co-authored a memoir about her life with her adoptive mother called ‘Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina’ and assumed the position of ambassador for War Child Holland, advocating for the well-being and mental health of children in conflict zones.
“This work held a special place in her heart,” wrote her family in their statement, urging contributions to the organization in her memory.
Previously reported by CNN’s Nkepile Mabuse.
DePrince's impact extended beyond the world of dance, inspiring many with her story of resilience and triumph over adversity. Her memoir, 'Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina', served as a testament to her strength and determination.
The news of DePrince's passing has left a gaping void in the world of ballet, as well as in the hearts of her loved ones and admirers worldwide.
