Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a Sierra Leonean ballerina who graced the stage in “Dancing with the Stars” and Beyonce’s “Lemonade” music video album, passed away on Friday at the young age of 29, as confirmed by her family.
The tragic news was initially shared on DePrince’s personal Instagram page and later corroborated by her family in a joint statement on Facebook.The cause of her untimely death is not known.
“It is with profound sadness we announce the sudden passing of our beautiful sister, Michaela Mabinty DePrince. Michaela touched so many lives across the world, including ours. She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story,” her family said in its statement, according to news agency Reuters.
DePrince’s passing was mourned by many in the ballet community, including renowned American ballerina Misty Copeland, who shared a video of DePrince dancing on social media, accompanied by an excerpt about her from Copeland’s book, “Black Ballerinas”.
Born Mabinty Bangura on January 6, 1995, in Kenema, Sierra Leone, DePrince was brought to an orphanage at the age of three by her uncle amidst the civil war.
In her 2014 memoir, “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina,” she detailed her experiences of isolation from other children due to vitiligo, a skin pigmentation condition, and the struggles she faced with malnourishment.
In 1999, at the age of four, DePrince was adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince, a couple from New Jersey who recognized her potential and enrolled her in ballet classes. Her talent and dedication earned her a scholarship to study ballet at the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School when she was just 14 years old.
DePrince’s journey to stardom began with her appearance in the 2011 documentary “First Position.”
She went on to captivate audiences worldwide with her performances, joining the esteemed Boston Ballet as a second soloist. Alongside her dancing career, DePrince also served as an inspirational speaker, touching the lives of many with her remarkable story.
The tragic news was initially shared on DePrince’s personal Instagram page and later corroborated by her family in a joint statement on Facebook.The cause of her untimely death is not known.
“It is with profound sadness we announce the sudden passing of our beautiful sister, Michaela Mabinty DePrince. Michaela touched so many lives across the world, including ours. She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story,” her family said in its statement, according to news agency Reuters.
DePrince’s passing was mourned by many in the ballet community, including renowned American ballerina Misty Copeland, who shared a video of DePrince dancing on social media, accompanied by an excerpt about her from Copeland’s book, “Black Ballerinas”.
Born Mabinty Bangura on January 6, 1995, in Kenema, Sierra Leone, DePrince was brought to an orphanage at the age of three by her uncle amidst the civil war.
In her 2014 memoir, “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina,” she detailed her experiences of isolation from other children due to vitiligo, a skin pigmentation condition, and the struggles she faced with malnourishment.
In 1999, at the age of four, DePrince was adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince, a couple from New Jersey who recognized her potential and enrolled her in ballet classes. Her talent and dedication earned her a scholarship to study ballet at the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School when she was just 14 years old.
DePrince’s journey to stardom began with her appearance in the 2011 documentary “First Position.”
She went on to captivate audiences worldwide with her performances, joining the esteemed Boston Ballet as a second soloist. Alongside her dancing career, DePrince also served as an inspirational speaker, touching the lives of many with her remarkable story.