Michaela Mabinty DePrince, a Sierra Leonean-American ballet dancer, died at 29 on September 10, 2024. Though the cause of death was not provided, her family said in a statement on her Instagram page, “Rest in Power: Ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince.
“With pain in our hearts, we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet, and beyond.
“Her life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us. She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places.
“Though her time with us was far too brief, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were touched by her story, for generations to come. Love and prayers go to her chosen family, friends, and those who loved her.”
Here are 5 things to know about the ballet prodigy:
They called her “devil’s child”
At the age of three, DePrince—who was born in Kenema, Sierra Leone in 1995—was placed in an orphanage following the deaths of her parents during the civil war. She had a horrific experience in the orphanage when she was labeled a “devil’s child” because she had vitiligo, a disorder in which patches of skin lose pigmentation, according to the BBC.
She became the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem
She relocated to New Jersey at the age of four after being adopted by an American couple. Her adoptive mother, Elaine, enrolled her in classes as soon as she showed signs of being obsessed with ballet.
According to the Telegraph, DePrince became the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem after completing her studies at the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.
She had been in a documentary and performed on “Dancing With the Stars” by the age of 17.
She continued her career as a dancer with the Dutch National Ballet before coming back to the U.S. and joining the Boston Ballet in 2021. DePrince performed all around the world, notably in Beyoncé’s film “Lemonade.”
She promoted the inclusion of Black dancers in ballet
She spent much of her career using her platform to speak out about the value of diversity in ballet. She also encouraged ballet companies to adopt inclusivity in their training and casting practices.
“There are practically no Black people in ballet, so I need to speak out,” she once told the Guardian.
She authored a memoir about her experience
DePrince garnered numerous awards for her services to ballet and advocacy work, including recognition as a role model for young dancers around the world.
She appeared in several shows and documentaries, such as the Netflix original film First Position, which tracks teenage ballet dancers as they train for an important competition.
Aside from dancing, she also authored a memoir called Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, which details her inspirational path and attempts to inspire others in the face of hardship.
She has appeared in a variety of media outlets, telling her experience and inspiring people to follow their aspirations despite difficulty.
She helped budding dancers
DePrince mentored budding dancers through outreach programs, focusing on individuals from deprived or underrepresented backgrounds. Her story encourages students to follow their aspirations in dance and other artistic endeavors.
Following her death, her family requested that instead of flowers, donations be made to War Child, an organization with which DePrince was involved as a War Child Ambassador, saying, “This work meant the world to her, and your donations will directly help other children who grew up in an armed conflict environment.”
In a later post, the family reported that they were also dealing with the death of Prince’s adopted mother, Elaine DePrince, who died during “a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery on September 11,” according to Jess Volinski, a spokeswoman for the DePrince family.
