We continue our traditional rubric “Woman who inspires”.
Today we want to share interesting facts from the life of the first black ballerina of the American Ballet Theater – Misty Copeland.
• Misty started ballet at the age of 13, 8 years later than most of her colleagues.
• In order to devote more time to training, she switched to home schooling and lived with her dance teacher for a while.
• In 2012, Misty suffered a stress fracture of the tibia, which jeopardized her career.
• In the process of becoming a ballerina, her enemies reminded her that she would never become a ballerina because she had “dark skin, a broad chest and overdeveloped muscles.”
• Despite all the difficulties, she continued to work hard on herself and her body, and at the age of 36 became a prima ballerina of the American Ballet Theater. Her victory was a decisive step for the entire industry: she was the first black woman to receive such an honor in the troupe’s 75-year history.
• Misty became the only ballerina to get a role in the Disney movie The Nutcracker and the Four Kingdoms.
• During his presidency, Barack Obama invited her to join the Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Advisory Board.
• The ballerina is currently starring in high-paying commercials, working on her own clothing line, collaborating with world celebrities, and has published a book of memoirs “Life in Motion”, where she talks about her path to fame.
• Misty Copeland advocates racial equality and in her projects conveys the ideal of the modern woman – confident, independent and self-loving.
“I stumble, I fall, I make mistakes, but they help me get better”
Misty Copeland
