40 Facts About Michaela Deprince

Early Life and Adoption

Michaela DePrince's journey began in a war-torn country, but her story is one of resilience and hope.

1. Michaela DePrince was born Mabinty Bangura in Kenema district, Sierra Leone, during the country's decade-long civil war.
2. Her father was killed by rebel forces when she was just three years old, and her mother died soon after from starvation.
3. In 1999, at the age of four, DePrince and another girl named Mia were adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince, a couple from Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
4. The DePrince family has a total of eleven children, with nine of them being adopted.

Discovering Ballet

Despite facing neglect and abuse in an orphanage, Michaela found her passion for ballet in the most unexpected way.

5. Before her adoption, DePrince spent her early years in an orphanage where she faced neglect and abuse due to her vitiligo, a skin condition that causes patches of skin to lose their color.
6. At the orphanage, DePrince discovered a glossy magazine cover featuring a ballerina, which inspired her to become a dancer despite having no knowledge of ballet.
7. After her adoption, DePrince began taking ballet lessons at the Rock School for Dance Education (RSDE) in Philadelphia at the age of five.
8. At age 13, DePrince resumed her training at RSDE as a boarder after the family moved to Vermont.

Rising Star in Ballet

Michaela's talent and determination led her to prestigious ballet schools and competitions.

9. In 2010, DePrince competed in the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) for the fourth time and won a full scholarship to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School (JKOS) at American Ballet Theatre (ABT).
10. While at JKOS, DePrince performed with the ABT Studio Company and toured with the Albany Berkshire Ballet.
11. DePrince was one of six youths profiled in the documentary "First Position" (2011), which followed young ballet dancers as they prepared to compete at the YAGP.
12. In 2012 and 2013, DePrince was a guest artist with Johannesburg’s South African Mzansi Ballet.
13. In 2012, she performed on the television program "Dancing with the Stars".

Professional Career

Michaela's professional career took her to some of the most renowned ballet companies in the world.

14. At age 17, DePrince joined New York City’s Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH), becoming the youngest dancer in the company’s history.
15. In 2013, she left DTH to join the Dutch National Ballet (DNB), where she was the only dancer of African origin among DNB’s 30 nationalities.
16. DePrince was promoted from the junior to the main company of DNB in 2014 and then to coryphée in 2015. She was further promoted to grand sujet in 2016 and became a soloist by the end of that year.
17. In 2016, she performed in the "Hope" sequence of Beyoncé’s Lemonade.

Memoir and Advocacy

Michaela's story reached a wider audience through her memoir and advocacy work.

18. DePrince authored the memoir "Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina" (2014), which was sold internationally under the title "Hope in a Ballet Shoe." MGM acquired the film rights to her book, and Madonna was announced to direct a biopic on DePrince’s life and career.
19. From 2016 to 2024, DePrince served as an ambassador for War Child Holland, visiting refugee settlements in Uganda (2017) and Lebanon (2018).
20. She appeared in Beyoncé’s music video for "Freedom" (2016).
21. DePrince starred in a live-action and animated film adaptation of the 19th-century comic ballet Coppelia, which debuted at the 2021 Cannes film festival.
22. In 2021, DePrince joined the Boston Ballet as a second soloist, drawn to the company’s diverse culture and repertoire.

Personal Life and Legacy

Michaela's personal experiences and relationships shaped her journey and left a lasting impact.

23. DePrince was passionate about increasing representation in ballet, often saying she wanted to "spread more poppies in a field of daffodils" to advocate for more Black and brown dancers.
24. While dancing with DTH, DePrince went on tour to Israel where she prayed at the Wailing Wall and wore a hamsa for protection while traveling to the Dome of the Rock and the Dead Sea.
25. In 2015, it was reported that DePrince was in a relationship with ballet dancer Skyler Maxey-Wert, whom she also talked about in her book.
26. Her adoptive father, Charles DePrince, died in June 2020, but Michaela was unable to travel from Amsterdam to Atlanta to say goodbye due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and unrest related to the George Floyd protests.
27. In September 2020, she took time off from her career to grieve and deal with her mental health through therapy.
28. DePrince leaves behind a legacy of resilience, grace, and humanitarian work, touching countless lives both on and off the stage.

Humanitarian Efforts

Michaela's commitment to helping others extended beyond the ballet stage.

29. She organized the "Dare to Dream" gala to promote mental health support for children living in conflict zones and raised over half a million dollars for War Child Holland.
30. DePrince’s remarkable story was featured in various media outlets, including the documentary "First Position" and her appearance in Beyoncé’s Lemonade.
31. Her exceptional talent earned her recognition globally, performing with prestigious ballet companies like the Dutch National Ballet and the Boston Ballet.
32. DePrince cited Lauren Anderson, one of the first Black American principal ballerinas, as her role model.
33. Despite facing numerous challenges, DePrince’s journey inspired many, including those who saw her documentary and read her memoir.

Final Years and Impact

Michaela's influence and contributions to ballet and beyond will be remembered for years to come.

34. The Boston Ballet community mourned her loss, highlighting her personal warmth and positive impact on those around her.
35. Her family released a heartfelt statement, saying she touched many lives across the world and was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story.
36. The cause of her death at the age of 29 was not disclosed, but it was announced via her Instagram page on September 13, 2024.
37. Throughout her life, DePrince demonstrated remarkable resilience and perseverance, overcoming significant obstacles to achieve her dreams.
38. As one of the few Black dancers in a predominantly white art form, DePrince’s career held significant cultural importance, paving the way for future generations of dancers.
39. DePrince’s educational background includes training at the Rock School for Dance Education and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre.
40. Michaela DePrince’s legacy in ballet extends beyond her performances; she has inspired countless young dancers and advocates for greater diversity in the arts, ensuring her impact will be felt for years to come.

Michaela DePrince's Lasting Legacy

Michaela DePrince's journey from war-torn Sierra Leone to the world’s top ballet stages is nothing short of extraordinary. Her resilience and determination broke barriers, making her a symbol of hope and inspiration. Despite facing immense challenges, including the loss of her parents and dealing with vitiligo, she never let adversity define her. Instead, she used it as fuel to achieve her dreams.

Her work with War Child Holland and her advocacy for diversity in ballet show her commitment to making the world a better place. Michaela's story, captured in her memoir and various documentaries, continues to inspire countless individuals. Her legacy in ballet and humanitarian efforts will be remembered for generations. Michaela DePrince proved that with passion and perseverance, one can overcome any obstacle and leave an indelible mark on the world.