Michaela DePrince, a barrier-breaking ballerina who appeared onDancing With the Starsand inBeyonce’sLemonadefilm, has died at age 29.
A cause of death was not revealed.
“They thought of me as a devil’s child.
Michaela DePrince in 2022.Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for American Ballet Theatre
“I improvised, choreographing the dance on the spot.
I needed three takes.
When I saw the finalLemonadevideo, it was fun to see my name on the credits for choreography.”
Michaela DePrince performs with the English National Ballet in 2017.Ian Gavan/Getty
She also starred in the 2021 ballet filmCoppelia.
The dancer also wrote a children’s book titledBallerina Dreams.
DePrince’s sister Mia also paid tribute to the late dancer.
Michaela DePrince in Beyoncé’s ‘Lemonade’.Beyonce/YouTube
“I am truly in a state of shock and deep sadness.
My beautiful sister is no longer here,“she wrote.
We created our own ballets.
Michaela DePrince performs in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2012.Herman Verwey/City Press/Gallo Images/Getty
She would choreograph, and I was the composer and conductor.
She continued, “She was an inspiration.
Michaela (Mabinty) has left her footprints in the sand and on so many stages across the world.
She will be truly missed.”
Herman Verwey/City Press/Gallo Images/Getty
Fellow ballerina Misty Copeland alsoposted a tributeto DePrince.
The ballet world, and all those whose lives she touched, will miss her profoundly.
She was a bright light, and her impact will never be forgotten.”
