Misty Copeland danced into a new chapter, her family by her side, as she bid farewell to her professional debut at American Ballet Theatre after more than two decades of gracing the stage. On October 22, she performed her final show in New York City, and in a heartwarming moment, her husband Olu Evans and their 3-year-old son Jackson joined her on stage for the final bow.
In a video shared on her Instagram on October 23, Misty shared clips of the different dances she performed during the gala. Afterwards, she stood next to her husband and son, who wore matching suits and delivered her beautiful bouquets of flowers, as confetti rained down around them and the crowd cheered. "Last night was a moment I'll carry with me forever," Misty captioned the footage. "After 25 years with American Ballet Theatre, I took my final bow surrounded by the company and community that have shaped my life and career."
The 43-year-old emphasized how important it was to be joined by her family for this milestone. As she noted, "Possibly most special of all, this was the first time my son, Jackson, saw me dance on stage."
While Misty may not be lacing up her pointe shoes for anymore shows, she isn't leaving ballet or the company completely behind. "I'm deeply honored to continue my connection to ABT as a member of the Board of Trustees," she shared, "supporting the next generation of dancers and storytellers who will lead this art form forward."
Misty joined the American Ballet Theatre in 2000 as a studio member before being promoted to the corps the following year. In 2015, she made history as the first Black woman to become a principal dancer at the company. Although her professional achievements are unparalleled, Misty—who has also authored nine books and performed on Broadway—previously shared how becoming a mom has changed her perspective on her career. "To step back and worry about this other little being has completely changed the way that I look at time," she explained on CBS Mornings in 2023. "Yes, there is time that I have to give to myself and focus but maybe not so much. It's been all about the balance."
