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February 21, 2018

Rising Misty: Defying a Ballerina’s Race, Age and Perception

Et un et deux et trois” (and one, and two, and three), are the countless hymns that a typical ballet dancer hears from the rise of dawn to long after sunset. Their long hours in the studio, being constantly on their feet (known as releve), becomes their everyday regime, including exaggerated arm extensions and feet so numb that they do not even feel the blisters from their point shoes; these are examples of the sacrifices and commitments that young ballet dancers experience to make the top one percent that become professionals. An aspiring young African-American woman named Misty Copeland was born to break all barriers in the dance world and change the image of what a ballerina should look like. Misty grew up in a household of five siblings, to a mother of multiple marriages, and to a father who was nearly absent from her life for twenty years; she became American Ballet Theater’s first African-American ballet dancer.1 She is world renowned for her acclaimed performances and the statuesque perfection that has made her an elite dancer. Growing up, she never realized her potential, because of her constant fight for her mother’s attention among her other siblings. Copeland soon realized her passion for dance when she performed dance routines at home to a Mariah Carey chart topper. With no formal ballet or gymnastics experience, she tried out for her middle school drill team, following in her older sister’s footsteps; the elite dance team was recognized for winning countless statewide competitions.2

An 18 year old Misty Copeland when she joined the American Ballet Theater| Courtesy of Elle Magazine

Even though Misty’s frame was regarded as petite, at thirteen years old Misty was able to use her assertiveness that she gained at home to become captain of the drill team. She was praised for her natural grace and finesse on the dance floor, which later came to the attention of her classically trained coach, Elizabeth Cantine. Off the dance floor, Copeland struggled with the difficulties that her family was enduring. In the year 1994, after her mother’s various friends and boyfriends, her family moved into a small two bedroom Inn in Gardena, California. Along with her brothers and sisters, Misty slept on the floor with only blankets. She regards this memory as, “The hardest time in my childhood,” saying that she made up for the chaos at home by working doubly hard at school.3

Misty’s dance career began at a later age than that of most elite dancers; the average dancer begins training between the ages of four and eight, but her formal training did not begin until age thirteen. Copeland’s middle school drill team coach encouraged her to attend the Boys and Girls Club, where a ballet instructor, Cynthia Bradley, taught free ballet classes once a week. Misty originally declined the offer because her mother did not have a car, and was working twelve to fourteen hours a day, and her oldest sister Erica was working two jobs. But Instructor Bradley began picking Misty up from school. Copeland was able to demonstrate how others’ preconceptions can be disproved with raw talent, “You can start late, look different, be uncertain, and still succeed.”4 Within her brief three months of training with Bradley, Copeland had mastered the French technique of en pointe, which signifies standing on the tip of your toes in ballet shoes, something that takes most ballerinas years to master. As her training became more intensive, Misty began spending most of her hours at the studio, which angered her mother, who told her that she would have to give up ballet. However, Bradley saw a spark of passion in Misty, and offered to host her during her training, as many trainers do for professional athletes. Her mother concluded that it was the best option, considering that their home life was unstable. Copeland explained that the feel of slippers and leotards gave her a sense of confidence and empowerment; she felt like she finally fit in. She had a place to call home and a sport to idolize: “Ballet was so structured. I’d been craving something that could guide me.”5 In the year 1998, at the age of fifteen, she won first prize in the ballet category of the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards.6

First African American female to dance the lead role in a top company’s production of Swan Lake | Courtesy of CNN Style

However, that same year a custody battle ensued between the Bradleys and Copeland’s mother. Misty had to return home to her mother, and they had frequent arguments. Her mother had long resented the Bradleys’ influence of homeschooling, Christian religion, and far more personal attention with Misty, and ultimately she decided that Misty would have to cease her continuation with the Bradleys. Misty was distraught with the fear that she would not be able to continue her dance career. The Bradleys then helped Misty to emancipate herself, which was a procedure common among young performers for securing their financial and residential independence. After Misty’s mother received the emancipation documents, she hired famous feminist attorney Gloria Allred and applied a series of restraining orders, which included the Bradleys’ five-year-old son. The order was partly intended to preclude contact between the Bradleys and Misty, but it did not have proper legal basis, since there had been no stalking or harassment.7 The custody controversy was highly publicized in the press: “The attention was devastating,” she says. “I had been so private. It was scarring.”8 After Misty’s mother stated that she would make sure Copeland could dance, both emancipation papers and restraining orders were dropped.

Copeland then began attending San Pedro High School, and continued to study at Lauridsen Ballet Centre in Torrance, California. In 2000, Copeland won another full scholarship, this time to American Ballet Theater’s intensive summer program; and soon after, she became the only African-American woman in a group of eighty dancers. Though she was challenged by her difference, not only her skin color but also her body type, always more full figured than her peers, she nevertheless climbed the ranks by virtue of her exceptional skill.9 In 2007, she became the company’s first African-American female soloist in two decades, with notable performances in The Firebird (2012), in Le Corsaire (2013), and in Swan Lake (2014), to name a few. Copeland’s inspiring story made her a role model and pop icon. She is a New York Times Bestseller in Ballerina Body, a memoir Life in Motion, and Firebird, an inspiring children’s book that shows that through hard work and dedication any young dancer can become a Firebird.10 “I had moments of doubting myself, and wanting to quit, because I didn’t know that there would be a future for an African-American woman to make it to this level. At the same time, it made me so hungry to push through to carry the next generation. So it’s not me up here and I’m constantly saying that it’s everyone that came before me that got me to this position.”11

 

  1.  Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016, s.v. “Internet,” by Naomi Blumburg. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Misty-Copeland (accessed February 18, 2018).
  2. Kristen Mascia, “Misty Copeland on Love, Life, and Leaps of Faith,” Elle Magazine, May 29, 2014, 1.
  3. Kristen Mascia, “Misty Copeland on Love, Life, and Leaps of Faith,” Elle Magazine, May 29, 2014, 1.
  4. Misty Copeland, Life in Motion (New York: Scholastic Inc, 2017), 262.
  5. Kristen Mascia, “Misty Copeland on Love, Life, and Leaps of Faith,” Elle Magazine, May 29, 2014, 1.
  6.  Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016, s.v. “Internet,” by Naomi Blumburg. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Misty-Copeland (accessed February 18, 2018).
  7. Misty Copeland, Life in Motion (New York: Scholastic Inc, 2017), 263.
  8. Kristen Mascia, “Misty Copeland on Love, Life, and Leaps of Faith,” Elle Magazine, May 29, 2014, 1.
  9. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016, s.v. “Internet,” by Naomi Blumburg. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Misty-Copeland (accessed February 18, 2018).
  10. Macey Morales, Acclaimed Author, Ballerina Misty Copeland to serve as 2018 National Library Week Honorary Chair,” American Library Association. December 5, 2017, http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2017/12/acclaimed-author-ballerina-misty-copeland-serve-2018-national-library-week. (accessed February 18, 2018).
  11. The Biography.com website, Misty Copeland Biography, https://www.biography.com/people/misty-copeland (accessed February 18, 2018).

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Hanadi Sonouper

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87 comments

  • Ximena Mondragon

    I honestly love the last picture because it shows her unique talent, strength and determination . When we think of ballet dancers we think of white and rich because it is a dance form that is exclusive . However, I think Misty is a powerful women because despite her challenges in her persona life and the ones in the ballet world she is successful. Overall, this article is written very well and the pictures are just amazing.

  • Esperanza Mauricio

    I love how she was seeking more in her life. Misty knew she wanted something that was structured. Pressing through the challenges of starting late and exceeding her lateness. Misty become a role model for others to aspire to follow and I just love the message she stands for. This was a very inspiring article and one I was fond of.

  • Johnanthony Hernandez

    Great article, I hadn’t heard of Misty Copeland or of the impact that she had on ballet. She had a difficult childhood with the opposition that she faced from others and her mother, discouraging her to practice and trying to hold her back from her potential. But continued to practice against the opposition of her mother and that of stereotypes, prejudices and biases of others.

  • Saira Castellanos

    I am sure that Misty is one of those rare ballerinas that master this art so quickly. I have never heard of her but she is fascinating.It’s sad that we don’t learn much about incredible people like Misty I have seen many documentaries where the ballerinas have a troubled past, and dancing is their only outlet. I know that being a ballerina is brutal from the things I have seen, but they are able to do it so gracefully and effortless. I guess this is was Misty went through. Maybe the training wasn’t too brutal for her because it came so easily to her.

  • Regina De La Parra

    Great article! I really enjoy reading this article because it definitely shows great writing skills from the author, great research, and a topic I really love. I was a ballerina all the way through high school and I love Misty. I believe that she is a truly inspirational person who gave up everything to get to where she’s now. I wish I knew more about her childhood and how much she struggled. Great job Hanadi!

  • Tyler Sleeter

    Interesting article with lots of information. I have never heard of Misty Copeland before and really have no interest in ballet, but I found your article very informative. I was surprised to find that Misty was the first African-American dancer for the American Ballet Theater, it seems that is something that should have happened a long time ago. Misty Copeland seems like a real fighter. She knew what she wanted and she did not let stereotypes, prejudices, or biases stand in her way. She is a great role model for young aspiring ballet dances.

  • Hector Garcia

    I actually didn’t know that there were two articles on Misty Copeland. But now that I put it into perspective, she was a key icon for many ballerinas that seek an opportunity to get a shot at the spot. She seemed to have a rough child, especially with her mother discouraged from participating in ballet and denying her true potential. It is unimaginable to think of what would have happened to the world of ballet if Misty Copeland would have continued to practice ballet.

  • Hannah Wilson

    Misty’s story is inspiring because she overcame so many obstacles to get to be so successful. She paved a the way for future aspiring African American dancers. The article was really well-written, and kept me wanting to read more. The fact that her mom was one of the big obstacles in her way of dancing and the fact that she could overcome that is great. Good article.

  • Destiny Leonard

    Throughout many young girl’s lives there is always a somewhat common dream to become a Ballerina and dance in pretty tutu’s. Yet many people have this notion that because they make their dancing look effortless to be a dancer is an easy task. This article calls attention to the hard work and determination which is needed to be successful in this field. Misty’s story shows that if you really want something you have to put in the hard work to achieve your goals. Despite all the negative situations she was faced with in her life she was able to achieve her dreams and come out on top. Great article!

  • Natalia Flores

    This is the second time reading this article and its still moving to hear her story. Through it all, she continued on her path and pushed through even though her home life was chaotic. She was able to turn her misfortune to success. Talent shouldn’t have any size, color, age, or gender so it’s sad that an African American dancer is something to be considered as an image breaker. It really shouldn’t be. If she has talent she has talent.

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