Misty Copeland reflects on her remarkable journey as the first Black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre and her efforts to transform the perception of ballet.
To excel as a ballet dancer, one must embody the roles of a dancer, athlete, and performer simultaneously. This field is fiercely competitive, with countless dancers striving for recognition while only a select few reach the upper echelons. Historically, this elite group has remained homogenous for over a century, highlighting a significant lack of diversity in the ballet community. Copeland has bravely challenged these stereotypes.
When Copeland broke barriers as American Ballet Theatre’s first Black principal dancer, she redefined the narrative of who could succeed in ballet. Beyond her dance career, she’s a New York Times bestselling author, director of the short film FLOWER, and co-founder of the athletic apparel brand Greatness Wins, which she established with Derek Jeter and Wayne Gretzky.
In her early ballet days, Copeland faced instability at home and struggled to connect with her school experience. She explains, “I lacked consistency and structure in my life until I discovered ballet. I was eager to learn and looked forward to each day in the studio, asking myself, ‘What will I learn next?’”
After nearly two decades of dedication and performance, Copeland achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Black woman promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Having spent 15 years with the company, her promotion was remarkable, as she notes, “Typically, if you haven’t advanced within the first five to seven years, it likely won’t happen.” She attributes her success to her mentor, Raven Wilkinson, the inspiration for her book “Wind At My Back,” who helped her focus on her goals and advocate for her rightful roles.
Now a new mother, Copeland is exploring pursuits beyond ballet, such as her collaboration with Greatness Wins, her production company, and her philanthropic efforts through the Misty Copeland Foundation. She aims to broaden ballet’s audience, increase diversity, and foster essential discussions to advance the art form. “This period allows me to pause and reflect on not just my career, but also my journey as a mother,” she shares.
Catch the episode to learn more about the challenges Copeland has faced, her immediate connection with Prince, and her vision for making ballet accessible to everyone. Don’t miss this insightful conversation!
