Michaela DePrince, Orphan-Turned-Ballerina, Dies at 29

World-renowned ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, who overcame tremendous adversity to rise from an orphan in war-torn Sierra Leone to international stardom, passed away at the age of 29, her family confirmed.

Best known for her roles in Dancing with the Stars and Beyoncé's visual album Lemonade, DePrince's untimely death was shared via her Instagram and later confirmed by her family on Facebook. No cause of death was provided.

In a heartfelt statement, her family expressed their grief: “Michaela touched so many lives across the world, including ours. She was an unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story.”

Born Mabinty Bangura in 1995 during the Sierra Leonean civil war, DePrince faced numerous hardships, including malnutrition and discrimination due to her vitiligo. Adopted by an American family at age four, she pursued ballet, despite being told the world wasn’t ready for Black ballerinas. Her talent and determination took her to the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School and later, the global stage.

Members of the ballet world, including Misty Copeland, paid tribute to DePrince’s remarkable journey. “She remained determined and began making big strides,” Copeland wrote, celebrating her legacy.

DePrince rose to prominence after starring in the documentary First Position in 2011 and continued to inspire as a second soloist for Boston Ballet, while also using her voice as a motivational speaker worldwide.

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