A Ballerina's Tale

Misty Copeland began her ballet journey at 13, which is considered a relatively late start for professional dancers. Despite this, she quickly demonstrated exceptional talent, earning the prestigious Spotlight Awards by age 15 and establishing herself as one of California's top ballet talents. Her late start actually made her journey more remarkable, as she had to work harder to catch up with dancers who began training at much younger ages.

As the only African American woman among 80 dancers in the American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland faced significant racial isolation and struggled with feeling like an outsider in a traditionally homogeneous art form. The ballet world has long favored pale skin and youthful physiques, leaving dancers of color marginalized. These challenges led her to seek comfort in food during difficult times, and she grappled with weight issues while navigating an industry that rarely represented people who looked like her.

The mentorship from Susan Fales-Hill would later help Misty transform this isolation into a platform for inspiring others.

Susan Fales-Hill became a pivotal mentor for Misty Copeland, connecting her with trailblazing women across various fields who served as role models. This mentorship was crucial because the ballet industry had long been criticized for its lack of diversity. Through these connections, Misty had a transformative epiphany recognizing that her success could transcend her individual dance career and inspire others aspiring to pursue ballet.

After her breakthrough performance in Firebird in 2012, Misty Copeland faced significant physical challenges including fractures in her shins, which required surgery on her left shin. Many doubted her ability to regain her previous momentum. Despite the pain and setbacks, she underwent rigorous rehabilitation with floor barre exercises and tested her leg's strength by performing the Dying Swan, ultimately making a triumphant return to the stage.

In 2013, Misty performed the lead in Igor Stravinsky's demanding Firebird at the Metropolitan Opera House, a remarkable achievement for a soloist. This performance was a major turning point because it showcased her talent to a wider audience, including many prominent African American women brought by her mentor to celebrate her success. It demonstrated her ability to handle lead roles and positioned her for future principal opportunities.

In summer 2014, Misty Copeland was cast in the lead role of Swan Lake, making history as the first Black woman to portray Odette/Odile in a prestigious international ballet company. This was significant because classical ballet has historically excluded dancers of color from these iconic white swan roles, which are considered the pinnacle of ballet achievement. Her casting represented a breakthrough moment for representation in the art form.

Raven Wilkinson was the first African American to perform in a major ballet company. She visited Misty Copeland at her apartment, and their conversation revealed a deep connection about the struggles they faced as dancers of color. Misty was moved to tears when she encountered Wilkinson's story in a film, and the two shared a humorous moment acting out a scene from Swan Lake that they both had performed.

On June 30, 2015, Misty Copeland was named principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, making her the first African American woman to hold this prestigious title in the company's history. This achievement represented the culmination of her journey from a late-starting teenager in California to the pinnacle of American ballet. It proved that dreams could come true despite the barriers of late start, racial isolation, and serious injury.

As Misty Copeland's fame grew and her audience expanded, she was featured in an Under Armour photo shoot that reflected her mission to diversify ballet and welcome individuals from all backgrounds. This partnership aligned with her broader goal of breaking barriers within the industry and using her platform to inspire underrepresented dancers to pursue ballet.

Through her journey, Misty Copeland learned that her success transcended her individual dance career. In an industry where aesthetic judgments often favored pale skin and specific body types, she recognized she could become a beacon of inspiration for others aspiring to pursue ballet. Her experiences with mentor Susan Fales-Hill and pioneer Raven Wilkinson helped her understand her broader role in changing the face of ballet.