Misty Copeland, who made history as the first Black woman to become a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater since its founding in 1949. Copeland returned after a five-year hiatus and took her final bow at the age of 43.
Copeland became a principal dancer for ABT at 32 and has spent her career being an advocate for making ballet a more inclusive and accessible space for Black performers and fans. In an interview with The New York Times, the ballerina shared the impact her career has had on the dance world.
“My whole career is proof that when you have diversity, people come together and want to understand each other and want to be a community together,” said Copeland. “So many young Black and brown people didn’t even know Lincoln Center was a place they could step foot in,” she continued. “When they see my poster on the front, they feel like it opens their minds up to a whole new world.”
Copeland’s final performance took place on Oct. 22 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. The event was co-chaired by Caroline Kennedy and Oprah Winfrey, and was a part of ABT’s “Fall Gala.” The performance included performances by Copeland and video montages of her 25-year tenure with the company.
Her performances at the event included a pas de deux from “Romeo and Juliet” along with two dances set to the songs “That’s Life” and “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. Copeland was then surprised by her husband and son during her final curtain call.
Before the performance, Copeland shared with PEOPLE some advice for young dancers. She said, “Try to find the joy. It’s one of the hardest things in the world to do, but you have to remember the joy and why you do it.”
Misty Copeland’s legacy and impact on the ballet world will not be forgotten, and the dancer opened a door to diversity in the space and an inclusive future for dancers.
