Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer for American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and made history as the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in ABT’s 75-year history. Despite not starting ballet until the age 13, Misty was considered a prodigy in her field. She auditioned for several dance programs in 1999, and each made her an offer to enroll in its summer program, and she ended up performing with ABT as part of its 1999 and 2000 Summer Intensive programs. By the end of the first summer, she was offered a spot at ABT, but her mother insisted she finish high school first in California. In September 2000, she joined the ABT Studio Company, which is ABT’s second company, and became a member of its Corps de ballet in 2001. In 2007 she was appointed a soloist at ABT, one of the youngest ever. Then, on June 30, 2015, Copeland became the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal ballerina in ABT’s 75-year history. She is one of the top-ranked ballerinas in history.
In 2025, Misty announced her retirement from ABT. Click through the gallery for more photos of the talented dancer below.
Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer for American Ballet Theatre (ABT) and made history as the the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in ABT’s 75-year history. Despite not starting ballet until the age 13, Misty was considered a prodigy in her field. She auditioned for several dance programs in 1999, and each made her an offer to enroll in its summer program, and she ended up performing with ABT as part of its 1999 and 2000 Summer Intensive programs. By the end of the first summer, she was offered a spot at ABT, but her mother insisted she finish high school first in California. In September 2000, she joined the ABT Studio Company, which is ABT’s second company, and became a member of its Corps de ballet in 2001. In 2007 she was appointed a soloist at ABT, one of the youngest ever. Then, on June 30, 2015, Copeland became the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal ballerina in ABT’s 75-year history. She is one of the top-ranked ballerinas in history.
Click through the gallery for more pcis of Misty!
Misty Copeland As Ballerina Princess
Laurie Sparham/Walt Disney/Kobal
Misty Copeland performs as the Ballerina Princess in the movie, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. The film follows a young girl transported into a magical world of gingerbread soldiers and an army of mice.
Misty Copeland At The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards
Matt Sayles/Invision/AP/Shutters
Misty Copeland stunned in an emotional performance at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards, leading the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in a routine to “I Sing the Body Electric” from Fame, choreographed by original Fame cast member Allen.
Misty Copeland Performs At The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards
Rob Latour/Shutterstock
Misty Copeland’s 62nd Annual Grammy Awards performance was a tribute to longtime Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich. She lead a group of dancers from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.
Misty Copeland At A World Of Good
Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock
Misty Copeland attends ‘A World Of Good’ presented by In A Perfect World at the Four Season in Beverly Hills. The ballerina was all smiles in white pointed heals and a palm-printed dress.
Misty Copeland Poses For A Portrait in NYC
Matt Licari/Invision/AP/Shutters
Misty Copeland poses for a portrait in New York. No other ballet dancer has crossed over into mainstream popular culture like Misty Copeland. Now Copeland, the first black female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, is the latest celebrity to teach an online MasterClass.
April 20, 2020, 9:00AM
Misty Copeland & Her Husband, Olu Evans
Matt Licari/Invision/AP/Shutters
Misty Copeland was introduced to her husband, Olu Evans, by Evans’ cousin, Taye Diggs. They announced their engagement in Essence magazine in 2015 and were married in 2016. They currently live on the Upper West Side of NYC.
April 20, 2020, 9:00AM
Misty Copeland Poses At The 62nd Annual Grammy Awards Red Carpet
David Fisher/Shutterstock
Misty Copeland looked angelic at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards! She went on the perform one of the highlights of the evening, dancing to “I Sing the Body Electric” from Fame, choreographed by original Fame cast member Debby Allen.
