Tragic loss: Trailblazing ballet star Michaela DePrince passes away at 29 | Entertainment & Arts Update

September 14, 2024 TruthUSA

A star ballerina who appeared in Beyonce’s Lemonade video and on Dancing With The Stars has passed away at 29.

Michaela DePrince’s death was confirmed by her family on Facebook and announced on her Instagram page, where they honored her as “an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story”.

No further details have been released about her “sudden” death.

DePrince, born as Mabinty Bangura in war-torn Sierra Leone, spent her early childhood in an orphanage before being adopted by a couple from New Jersey.

After starting ballet classes as a child, she rose to prominence in the dance world.

“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved sister, Michaela Mabinty DePrince,” her family’s statement read. “Michaela had a significant impact on countless lives worldwide, including ours.”

The post on DePrince’s Instagram page paid tribute to a dancer whose “artistry touched many hearts and inspired numerous individuals, leaving an enduring mark on the world of ballet and beyond”.

The tribute went on to say: “Her life exemplified grace, purpose, and strength. Her dedication to her art, her humanitarian work, and her bravery in overcoming immense challenges will forever be a source of inspiration for us.

“She was a beacon of hope for many, proving that beauty and greatness can emerge from the darkest of circumstances.

“Although her time with us was short, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were impacted by her story, for generations to come.”

‘Resilience, strength, grace and courage’

DePrince made history as the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem before joining the Dutch National Ballet in the Netherlands. She later returned to the US to dance with Boston Ballet.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem remembered her as a symbol of “resilience, strength, grace, and courage”.

DePrince wrote a memoir, Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, in 2014, followed by another book, Ballet Dreams.

In her tribute, Misty Copeland shared a video of DePrince and an excerpt from her own book, Black Ballerinas, describing her as a “unique dancer with an incredible journey”.

Copeland stated: “Despite facing obstacles like being told the world wasn’t ready for Black ballerinas or that Black ballerinas weren’t worth investing in, she remained determined and began making significant progress.”

DePrince’s impact will inspire future generations of dancers, but her absence will be deeply felt, Copeland added.

She continued: “The ballet community and all those touched by her will deeply miss her. She was a shining light, and her influence will never be forgotten.”

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