Michaela DePrince: America's trailblazing ballerina dies at 29
Michaela DePrince: America's trailblazing ballerina dies at 29
A war orphan from Sierra Leone, DePrince moved to the US and ended up performing with Beyoncé.
Ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, who performed with Beyoncé and was seen by many as a trailblazer, has died at the age of 29.
A spokesperson announced her death on her personal Instagram page and in a statement her family said she was an "unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story".
The cause of death has not been given.
DePrince made a remarkable journey from suffering as an orphan in war-torn Sierra Leone to numerous accolades in the world of international dance.
Her family said her death had been "sudden", adding: "Michaela touched so many lives across the world, including ours."
Tributes have been pouring in, including from others in the ballet community.
That's just awful. Anyone who dies that young has a tragic death, but it's so much more tragic when you achieve the level of accomplishment she did.
Ballet does wreck your body though. I wonder if that contributed to whatever ended up causing her death.
DePrince made a remarkable journey from suffering as an orphan in war-torn Sierra Leone to numerous accolades in the world of international dance.
That probably wrecks a body, too.
Its so sad. She was a bright shining light.
The cause of death has not been given.
I think if she'd been in a car accident or something similar, they'd be forthcoming about it. I think this suggests a terrible illness. Sad news. Didn't know who she was, but it's a shame that someone who was truly gifted didn't get to continue achieving greatness.
The only cause of death that is not immediately revealed is suicide and drug overdose.
Really? I guess that would make sense.
Quite a few public deaths of late with no reason given. When someone like this, so young and accomplished, dies it is in the public interest that the reason be revealed. There could be systemic abuse etc... and I would like to know steps are being taken to prevent this sort of tragedy from recurring if possible.
It's actually not "in the public interest" for details about how she died to be made public. Thinking that you're owed that information is a symptom of our voyeuristic, celebrity-worshipping culture
This is the same shit anti-vaxxers were saying a few years ago. "So many mysterious deaths... could it be vaccines?!?"
Yes, what a contentious ask: If your death is newsworthy, then so are all its particulars. How dare we!
When someone like this, so young and accomplished, dies it is in the public interest that the reason be revealed.
Do we want to know? Yes.
Do we have a right to know? No.
Case closed.
29 you say? Well there's no time to waste! How old is she now? There's a ton of stuff to get done before 29 comes around!