The ballet world is mourning the death of Dancing with the Stars’ Michaela Mabinty DePrince, an inspirational ballerina who beat staggering odds to become one of the world’s most famous dancers.
Michaela, an orphan from war-torn Sierra Leone, was a dancer with the Boston Ballet who gained widespread notoriety after starring in the 2011 documentary First Position. She died September 10 at only 29.
Adding to the family’s tragic loss, Michaela’s adoptive mom – who rescued Michaela from the filthy shelter where she was told she was “too ugly” to find a family – died only 24 hours later.
After her father was brutally killed in war-torn Sierra Leone and her mother died from fever, four-year-old Michaela Mabinty DePrince was abandoned by her uncle in a shelter where staff every day tried to break her spirit.
Known then as “Number 27” a young Michaela had little hope of finding a family as she had vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigmentation.
The young girl, called “the devil child” because of her patchy skin, was told repeatedly that she was too ugly to be picked.
“We were all ranked from the most favored to the least, and I was at the very bottom for being rebellious and having a skin condition called vitiligo, which produces white freckles on my neck and chest,” Michaela said, adding she slept on a grass sleeping mat with “Number 26.”
Aside from the vomit-stained nightgown she was wearing, all she had was a magazine, which according to Glamour had (literally) blown onto her face. And on the cover was a ballerina en pointe – a dancer supporting all her body weight on the tips of her toes.
“The dancer looked beautiful and happy, that’s what caught my eye,” Michaela tells Glamour. “I wanted to be happy.”
And the crumpled old photo of the ballerina was the first thing she handed Elaine DePrince, who took her to her new home in New Jersey.
“There was so much love right away,” said Michaela, who over the next two decades would be the prima ballerina on the cover of magazines. “I had never been surrounded by something like that.”
‘My life is proof’
Michaela’s passion for dancing was ignited at a young age, and she pursued her dreams with remarkable dedication.
In 2011, Michaela became one of the stars of First Position, a documentary that followed six gifted dancers leading up to the competition for a place in the prestigious American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet (JKO)
She not only earned a spot but was also awarded a scholarship to study at JKO.
The same year the award-winning documentary was released, Michaela also appeared on Dancing with the Stars.
“My life is proof that no matter what situation you’re in, as long as you have a supportive family, you can achieve anything,” Michaela said.
In 2012, the talented ballerina joined the renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she continued to shine as a rising star. Her exceptional talent and grace later led her to the Dutch National Ballet, where the War Child Ambassador further established herself as a formidable presence in the ballet world.
While she was living in Amsterdam and training for The Nutcracker, she received a call, inviting her to travel to New Orleans and dance in Beyonce’s hour-long video, Lemonade, which was released in 2016.
Speaking with the Wall Street Journal of meeting the pop sensation, Michaela said, “She walked up to me and said, ‘It’s such an honor to have you here.’ I was really cheesy and said, ‘The honor is mine.’ I was on cloud nine.”
‘Beacon of hope’
On September 10, her family released a heartbreaking message about the principal soloist with the Boston Ballet.
“Rest in Power,” the post starts about the dancer who died on September 10. “With pain in our hearts, we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet, and beyond.”
The Facebook post describes Michaela as an inspiration who “stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places.”
The cause of her death has not yet been released.
Mom ‘spared the pain’
Only 24 hours after Michaela’s sudden death, her doting adoptive mom Elaine DePrince died on September 11 “during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery.”
A family statement on Facebook explains that at the time of Elaine’s death, she was unaware that her daughter had died.
“As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated. The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child.” The message continues, “What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24-hour period is tragic and devastating. We continue to ask for privacy…”
Rest in peace Michaela and Elaine. Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can all send a lot of love to the family and friends of this mother-daughter duo.
The Unlikely Friendships Between Dogs and Other Animals
Although they’ve long been regarded as man’s best friend, did you know that dogs can become friends with other animals as well? You’ll grin when you see these endearing relationships between dogs and all kinds of wildlife. Let’s enjoy some of these precious moments that were caught on video.
Ducks and Dogs: An Ageless Bond
As evidenced by this cute picture of Rusty the cocker spaniel offering Donald the duck a ride on his back, our furry pals have been buddies with ducks since 1949. Ducks and dogs share a unique kinship that endures over time.
Dogs and Monkeys: Picking Up Tips from the Finest
A touching event occurred in the busy Bangladeshi capital of Dhaka when a monkey gave a firm hug to its adopted puppy buddy. This loving demonstration between two distinct animals illustrates the strength of friendship and love.
Piglets and French Bulldogs: An Unbreakable Bond
Baby, a French bulldog at the Lehnitz animal refuge in Germany, discovered that cuddling piglets was his true calling. Six little piglets and Baby struck up a conversation right away. These endearing exchanges serve as a reminder that friendship has no bounds.
Ducks and Dogs: Lifelong Playmates
This adorable picture shows the amazing friendship between Barclay the dog and Rudy the duck. When the two are together, they frolic and leap, demonstrating the unadulterated happiness that may result from strange friendships.
French Bulldogs and Tigers: Cuddling Together
A French bulldog named Bella provided a two-week-old young tiger cub with loving care in Japan. When the cub’s mother rejected it, Bella intervened to make sure the little tiger didn’t feel abandoned. This touching demonstration of interspecies empathy highlights the generosity present in the animal realm.
Dogs and Elephants: A True Friendship’s Tail
At the Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary, most interactions between humans are restricted, but Bella the dog discovered a unique opening. She developed a close relationship with Tarra the elephant, and the two would frequently follow one another about and even share a bed. This endearing bond serves as a reminder that love is unconditional and unaffected by size or species.
These are Only the First Steps…
There are countless touching stories of dogs and other animals becoming buddies. These strange relationships—such as dogs and cats cuddling up to mice or a kind, enormous bear carrying its devoted dog companion—serve as a powerful reminder of the strength of friendship and love. Animals are incredibly good at finding friends in the most unlikely places.
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