Michaela DePrince death: Ballet star who danced for Beyoncé dies at 29

Michaela DePrince, a shining star in the ballet world, has passed away at the age of 29. Born in war-torn Sierra Leone, DePrince was orphaned as a child and moved to the U.S. as an infant, later performing with prestigious companies like the Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dutch National Ballet, and Boston Ballet. She first gained widespread recognition in the 2011 documentary First Position and was also known for her appearances in Beyoncé’s visual album Lemonade and on *Dancing with the Stars. Her death was confirmed via a statement on her official Instagram page: "With heavy hearts, we announce the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose extraordinary artistry and inspiring spirit left a lasting legacy in ballet and beyond. Her life embodied grace, strength, and purpose, and her determination to her craft and humanitarian work will continue to inspire. She was a symbol of hope, showing that beauty and greatness can emerge from even the darkest challenges. No cause of death has been disclosed.
Born Mabinty Bangura on January 6, 1995, in Kenema, Sierra Leone, DePrince lost her parents at a young age-her father was reportedly killed by the Revolutionary United Front, and her mother died of starvation. At four, she was adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince and moved to Cherry Hill, New Jersey. She pursued classical ballet in the U.S., gaining fame through *First Position*, which chronicled her journey as one of six young dancers competing for spots in elite ballet schools. DePrince made history as the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem and later performed with the Dutch National Ballet before returning to the U.S. to dance with Boston Ballet.
In 2012, she appeared on Dancing with the Stars and in 2016, choreographed her own movements for Beyoncé’s *Lemonade*, performing to the song "Freedom." Reflecting on the experience, DePrince once shared with *The Wall Street Journal*, "Beyoncé said
I looked like a creature from another planet. When she approached me, she said, ‘It’s such an honor to have you here,’ and I replied, ‘The honor is mine.’ I was over the moon.
Her memoir, *Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina*, co-written with her adoptive mother, was published in 12 countries, and in 2018, Madonna was announced as the director of a film adaptation of the book. Boston Ballet honored DePrince with a heartfelt tribute: “We send our deepest condolences to the family of Michaela Mabinty DePrince during this difficult time. She was a beautiful soul, an incredible dancer, and will be dearly missed by all of us.