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 17-member group went on stage and presented a song that impressed the jury
The excitement and passion surrounding Britain’s Got Talent are not just transient phenomena; rather, they are long-lasting evidence of the program’s capacity to enthrall viewers year after year. Every season, it unearths hidden treasures, exhibiting extraordinary skill that makes an impression on the judges and spectators alike. But in this captivating field, brilliance is not a guarantee of a place in the spotlight. What really distinguishes candidates are their painstaking choices of the ideal tune, their faultless performance on stage, and their natural ability to hold the interest of the judges and the audience. Presenting “Angelicus Celtis,” a group of seventeen teenage ladies who bravely entered the stage, oozing with a tangible sense of joy and resolve. Each performer in this group contributed a special blend of skill, commitment, and creativity, and together they woven a tapestry of songs that reverberated throughout the arena. This gifted group had a coach who guided and nurtured them; his steadfast dedication was reflected in that of his protégés. They started a musical adventure together, and when it was all over, they gave an incredible performance that would always be remembered by the audience and the judges alike. The transcendent beauty of Angelicus Celtis’ performance moved even the famously exacting Simon Cowell. He showered them with accolades, praising not just their outstanding song selection but also their faultless performance and compelling stage presence. It was an occasion that went beyond simple amusement, making an enduring impression on everyone who saw their genius.
The thunderous cheers that filled the arena were a resounding testament to Angelicus Celtis’ exceptional abilities. It’s no small accomplishment to synchronize the voices and motions of seventeen people, yet they accomplished it with unquestionable skill, grace, and elegance. Their performance has been preserved in the digital era on sites like YouTube and numerous social media networks, receiving a great deal of praise and propelling the ensemble into the spotlight. However, there is more to Angelicus Celtis than just a collection of gifted people; they are an example of the strength of desire, perseverance, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness. This is revealed beneath the surface of internet celebrity and viral videos.
Allow us, the audience, to pause for a moment and admire their incredible journey while also basking in their brilliance and being mesmerized by their wonderful harmonies. Because in the realm of Britain’s Got Talent, where aspirations come true and superstars are created, Angelicus Celtis radiates positivity and serves as an example to all of us. Let’s pay attention, watch, and enjoy their unique gift as well as the amazing path that lies ahead of them.
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