In the depths of an impoverished orphanage nestled in Sierra Leone, Michaela DePrince, a young girl with a heart yearning for the grace of ballet, dared to dream amidst the ruins of war. Her improbable fantasy blossomed into reality when she was adopted by loving American parents, transforming her life into a tale as enchanting as the ballets that inspired her.
Sadly, on Tuesday, this remarkable ballerina, whose life story rivaled the fantastical narratives of fairy tales, passed away in New York City at the tender age of 29. Her siblings, Mia and Erik DePrince, confirmed the news, stating that the cause of her death was not immediately apparent and declined to divulge further details.
Michaela DePrince crammed a lifetime of achievements into the vibrant decade of the 2010s. Her journey began with captivating audiences in "First Position," a poignant documentary by Bess Kargman that chronicled the intense competition that catapults teenage dancers to the pinnacle of their profession. From there, she soared as a principal dancer with the esteemed Dance Theater of Harlem before being beckoned by the prestigious Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam, where she graced the stage with lead roles in classics like "The Nutcracker" and "Coppelia," and shone as a soloist in "Cinderella" and George Balanchine's "Tarantella."
Renowned for her athletic prowess and fiery spirit, DePrince was hailed by critics like Roslyn Sulcas of The New York Times for her "spitfire quickness," while Dance Spirit magazine hailed her as "Powerful" – a fitting adjective that encapsulated her every move.
Her star continued to rise as she jetted back to the United States from the Netherlands to make a cameo appearance in Beyoncé's music video for "Freedom," a track from her groundbreaking album "Lemonade." Nike, too, recognized her talent and grace, offering her their support. In discussions of prominent Black ballerinas, DePrince's name was often mentioned alongside that of Misty Copeland, who, in a 2018 article for The Times, described her as "one of today's most visible and brilliantly talented young artists."
But DePrince's story was more than just one of triumph on stage; it was a testament to resilience and the power of dreams. Born Mabinty Bangura on January 6, 1995, in a rural corner of Sierra Leone's Kenema District, her life was marked by hardship from the start. Born with vitiligo, a skin condition that left her skin speckled, she faced discrimination and abuse, even from her own family. When her father was murdered in the diamond mines, her mother struggled to protect her but eventually succumbed to malnutrition and fever, leaving Mabinty to fend for herself in an orphanage where she was branded as "No. 27" – the least favored among her peers.
Yet, amidst the despair, a gust of wind brought hope in the form of a Dance Magazine cover, featuring a ballerina en pointe, smiling and happy. Inspired, Mabinty began twirling and standing on her toes, clutching the magazine cover as a talisman of her dreams.
Thousands of miles away, in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Elaine and Charles DePrince, a retired special education teacher and a nutritional supplement company executive, were preparing to adopt a child from a war-torn country in Africa. Elaine, who had a lifelong passion for adoption, had already welcomed three boys with hemophilia into her heart and home, even as they faced the challenges of HIV and its tragic consequences. Their son Michael's dream of adopting a child from Africa lived on through the DePrinces, who eventually found Mabinty's smiling face in a photograph and set out to give her the life she deserved.
And so, Michaela DePrince's fairy tale came to life, a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the transformative power of love and opportunity.
Upon Elaine's arrival, she was met with the unexpected revelation of two Mabintys, a dilemma that she gracefully resolved by embracing both into her heart. Thus, No. 26 transformed into Mia Mabinty DePrince, and No. 27 blossomed into Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a name etched with love for Michael.
Leading her newfound daughters to her hotel suite, Elaine unveiled a treasure trove of toys, igniting a spark of joy in Mia's eyes as she dove into play. Yet, Michaela's search through Elaine's luggage betrayed a deeper yearning. Perplexed, Elaine watched as Michaela unearthed a cherished magazine cover, pirouetting with a purpose, her heart set on finding those elusive dancing shoes.
In the heart of New Jersey, Elaine weaved a promise around Michaela's dreams, vowing that ballet classes awaited her once the language barrier was breached. And indeed, talent shone through, driving Michaela's relentless pursuit of dance.
As the family's journey led them to Vermont, Michaela embarked on a dual path—boarding at her ballet academy and navigating an online high school. The bittersweet separation from her family saw tears streaming down her face as she yearned for Mia's embrace, yet she steadfastly explained her resolve: ballet was her calling.
"First Position" captured the triumphant moments as Michaela secured a scholarship to the hallowed halls of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theater. Soon after the film's release, her talent graced the pages of The Times, and by 2014, she soared as a soloist in "Swan Lake" amidst the glitz of Amsterdam. The Dutch National Ballet imposed a moratorium on interviews, ensuring Michaela's sole focus remained on her art.
Driven by an unwavering ambition, Michaela carried the weight of expectation on her shoulders. "I aspire to alter the perception of Black dancers," she confessed to The Guardian in 2012, her fear of disappointment palpable.
In 2017, a ruptured Achilles' tendon brought her dance dreams to a sudden halt, forcing her to confront the dark recesses of her childhood through recurring nightmares. She realized that the relentless cycle of endorsements, engagements, interviews, and recounting her story had inadvertently reopened her most painful memories.
"Had it not been for my injury, I might not have recognized the significance of my mental well-being," she confided to Pointe magazine in 2021. That pivotal year marked her departure from the Dutch National Ballet as a soloist, her stunning return to the United States as a second soloist with the Boston Ballet, a decision that shook the dance world to its core.
This year, Michaela's siblings, Mia and Erik, shared the sorrowful news of her departure. Her life had been a tapestry woven between New York and Boston, her heart entwined with the love of her adopted family—Adam DePrince, Amie, Jaye, Mariel, and Bee Green, all siblings brought from Africa's shores.
The passing of her adoptive father in 2020, after a valiant battle with Parkinson's disease, gently nudged Michaela towards her eventual return from the Netherlands. Tragically, her adoptive mother followed suit on Wednesday, a day's breath apart, her heart failing to withstand the weight of time. Her health had been steadily declining, yet she was spared the heartache of knowing her daughter's passing—a merciful act of grace, her family whispered, amidst the grief of losing three cherished sons.
