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Misty Copeland’s story is one of breakthrough, resilience and transformation in the world of classical ballet. In 2015, she became the first Black female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in its 75-year history, a landmark moment in an art form long critiqued for its lack of diversity.
Her rise from a late start (beginning ballet at age 13) to the highest ranks of one of the world’s leading ballet companies made her a cultural icon. Not only did she master roles such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and Juliet in Romeo & Juliet, but she also expanded the idea of who could see themselves reflected in ballet.
Copeland’s impact extended far beyond her virtuosity on stage. She actively challenged long-held conventions: the default “look” of ballerinas, the narrow racial and cultural representation in elite ballet companies, and the barriers that prevented many young dancers from seeing ballet as “for them.”
“Misty didn’t just perform ballet… she changed it. She redefined who belongs, who gets to be seen, and who gets to lead.” — Oprah Winfrey at Copeland’s retirement gala.
Her advocacy, via her foundation, her writing (including the Bunheads series), and her outreach to young people of color, helped widen ballet’s audience and challenged companies to diversify their casts.
On the evening of October 22, 2025, Copeland returned to the stage of Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater for a special retirement performance with ABT, concluding a 25-year tenure with the company.
The event, part of ABT’s Fall Gala and its 85th anniversary celebration, was a star-studded affair with tributes from peers and icons alike. Among those honoring her: Oprah Winfrey and director/choreographer Debbie Allen.
Copeland returned to perform several major works, including a pas de deux from Romeo & Juliet with Calvin Royal III, and Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Suite with Herman Cornejo. Her son, Jackson, wearing a tiny tuxedo, joined her on stage during the curtain calls, a tender image of her legacy passing on.
Though this marks her final performance with ABT, Copeland makes clear this isn’t an end to movement or influence:
It’s time for me to move to the next stage.
She plans to deepen her mentorship, continue writing, expand her foundation and explore new creative mediums. In interviews, she has emphasized that representation must keep growing, recognizing the concern that when she departs the company, no Black female principal dancer currently replaces her.
Legacy and Lasting Impact
Misty Copeland’s legacy will endure in many ways:
- As a role model who shattered a glass ceiling, proving that excellence in ballet transcends race and background.
- As an advocate for access, visibility and change in a traditionally exclusive art form.
- As an artist whose final bow was not just a farewell to a company, but a celebration of what ballet can become.
Her departure invites reflection on the state of ballet: how far it has come and how much further it still needs to go. For young dancers of color, Copeland’s picture on a poster or on a stage says: You belong.
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,” she reflected.
English (US) ·