Sep
Michaela DePrince – Acclaimed Ballerina and Beyoncé Collaborator Dies at 29
Michaela DePrince, Acclaimed Ballerina and Beyoncé Collaborator, Dies at 29
Michaela DePrince, the groundbreaking ballerina known for her appearance on Dancing With the Stars and her role in Beyoncé’s Lemonade film, has passed away at the age of 29. The news was announced on her official Instagram page on Friday, with her family confirming her death via a spokesperson’s Facebook page. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Misty Copeland expressed profound sorrow over DePrince’s passing, stating, “Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of dancers, but her absence leaves a void that will be felt deeply.”
Born Mabinty Bangura in Kenema, Sierra Leone, in 1995, DePrince faced a challenging start in life. Raised in an orphanage where she was often mistreated and ridiculed for her vitiligo, she recalled in a 2012 BBC interview that she was labeled a “devil’s child” and was told she would never be adopted. In 1999, her life changed dramatically when Elaine and Charles DePrince adopted her and her orphanage friend, Mia.
Inspired by a magazine image of a ballerina, DePrince began her ballet training in Philadelphia. Her talent quickly became evident as she performed at the Youth America Grand Prix and was featured in the 2011 documentary First Position. She continued her training at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet in New York. That same year, she made a notable appearance on Dancing With the Stars and later joined the Dutch National Ballet’s junior company. DePrince also served as a second soloist with the Boston Ballet.
In addition to her ballet achievements, DePrince gained widespread recognition for her role in the “Freedom” segment of Beyoncé’s Lemonade film. She recounted her experience with Entertainment Tonight in 2016, saying, “The director gave me music to listen to, and about three minutes later, he had me dance to it.”
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