Pioneering ballerina Misty Copeland is retiring from American Ballet Theatre
Pioneering ballerina Misty Copeland is retiring from American Ballet Theatre
Misty Copeland is ready for her swan song.
The dancer, 42, has announced she will retire from the American Ballet Theatre after more than 20 years and deliver her final performance during the company's fall gala in October.
"I could never have imagined the life ballet would give me," Copeland said in a statement. "To dance on the world's greatest stages, with artists I admire so deeply, has been one of the greatest gifts of my life."
She continued: "My time with ABT has shaped me not just as a dancer, but as a person, and given me the platform to reach back and make space for others. This moment isn't a farewell, it's a celebration of everything we've built together, and a step toward all the work that's still ahead."
Copeland made history in 2015 as the first Black woman to become a principal dancer at the ABT.
Misty Copeland shares essential advice from Prince, favorite dish to cook, self-care tips
Speaking to The New York Times Magazine, she said she initially "wanted to fade away into the background," only to realize this was not "really possible," so she decided to announce her retirement officially.
"The legacy of what I've created, the way that I'm carrying so many stories of Black dancers who have come before me — I can't just disappear," she said. "There has to be an official closing to my time at American Ballet Theater, this company that has meant everything to me."
Copeland also told the Times she is "dealing with a lot" while preparing for her final performance.
How I became a ballerina: Misty Copeland
"I have a labral tear that happened during my training recently," she said. "Then I found out that I have all these old injuries that I never acknowledged and danced through. My doctor was like, 'I think you should stop dancing.' I'm like, 'I'm trying!' So it's very humbling, but it's also comforting."
The American Ballet Theatre's fall gala, scheduled for Oct. 22, is set to include a "curated selection of works from Copeland's celebrated repertoire," as well as video tributes and performances from her "collaborators and admirers," according to a June 9 announcement.
Susan Jaffe, the American Ballet Theatre's artistic director, said in a statement that Copeland's legacy "is profound — not only through the roles she's redefined but also through the lives she's inspired," adding that her "advocacy for inclusion, equity, and education ensures her impact will resonate far beyond this moment."
In a May interview with USA TODAY, Copeland reflected, "Throughout my career, so many incredible women, and specifically Black women, have really been like the backbone of my success. That, naturally and organically, taught me the importance of being a mentor."
Contributing: Clare Mulroy
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
25 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Sly Stone, revolutionary funk rock musician, dies at 82
NEW YORK (AP) — Sly Stone, the revolutionary musician and dynamic showman whose Sly and the Family Stone transformed popular music in the 1960s and '70s and beyond with such hits as 'Everyday People,' 'Stand!' and 'Family Affair,' died Monday at age 82. Stone, born Sylvester Stewart, had been in poor health in recent years. His publicist Carleen Donovan said Stone died in Los Angeles surrounded by family after contending with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other ailments. Formed in 1966-67, Sly and the Family Stone was the first major group to include Black and white men and women, and well embodied a time when anything seemed possible — riots and assassinations, communes and love-ins. The singers screeched, chanted, crooned and hollered. The music was a blowout of frantic horns, rapid-fire guitar and locomotive rhythms, a melting pot of jazz, psychedelic rock, doo-wop, soul and the early grooves of funk. Stone's group began as a Bay Area sextet featuring Sly on keyboards, Larry Graham on bass; Sly's brother, Freddie, on guitar; sister Rose on vocals; Cynthia Robinson and Jerry Martini horns and Greg Errico on drums. They debuted with the album 'A Whole New Thing' and earned the title with their breakthrough single, 'Dance to the Music.' It hit the top 10 in April 1968, the week the Rev. Martin Luther King was murdered, and helped launch an era when the polish of Motown and the understatement of Stax suddenly seemed of another time. Led by Sly Stone, with his leather jumpsuits and goggle shades, mile-wide grin and mile-high Afro, the band dazzled in 1969 at the Woodstock festival and set a new pace on the radio. 'Everyday People,' 'I Wanna Take You Higher' and other songs were anthems of community, non-conformity and a brash and hopeful spirit, built around such catchphrases as 'different strokes for different folks.' The group released five top 10 singles, three of them hitting No. 1, and three million-selling albums: 'Stand!', 'There's a Riot Goin' On' and 'Greatest Hits.' Sly's influence has endured for decades. The top funk artist of the 1970s, Parliament-Funkadelic creator George Clinton, was a Stone disciple. Prince, Rick James and the Black-Eyed Peas were among the many performers from the 1980s and after influenced by Sly, and countless rap artists have sampled his riffs, from the Beastie Boys to Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. A 2005 tribute record included Maroon 5, John Legend and the Roots. A dream dies, a career burns away By the early '70s, Stone himself was beginning a descent from which he never recovered, driven by the pressures of fame and the added burden of Black fame. His record company was anxious for more hits, while the Black Panthers were pressing him to drop the white members from his group. After moving from the Bay Area to Los Angeles in 1970, he became increasingly hooked on cocaine and erratic in his behavior. On 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),' Stone had warned: 'Dying young is hard to take/selling out is harder.' Late in 1971, he released 'There's a Riot Going On,' one of the grimmest, most uncompromising records ever to top the album charts. The sound was dense and murky (Sly was among the first musicians to use drum machines), the mood reflective ('Family Affair'), fearful ('Runnin' Away') and despairing: 'Time, they say, is the answer — but I don't believe it,' Sly sings on 'Time.' The fast, funky pace of the original 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)' was slowed, stretched and retitled 'Thank You For Talkin' to Me, Africa.' By the end of the decade, Sly and the Family Stone had broken up and Sly was releasing solo records with such unmet promises as 'Heard You Missed Me, Well I'm Back' and 'Back On the Right Track.' Most of the news he made over the following decades was of drug busts, financial troubles and mishaps on stage. Sly and the Family Stone was inducted into the Rock & Roll of Fame in 1993 and honored in 2006 at the Grammy Awards, but Sly released just one album after the early '80s, 'I'm Back! Family & Friends,' much of it updated recordings of his old hits. A born musician, a born uniter He was born Sylvester Stewart in Denton, Texas, and raised in Vallejo, California, the second of five children in a close, religious family. Sylvester became 'Sly' by accident, when a teacher mistakenly spelled his name 'Slyvester.' He loved performing so much that his mother alleged he would cry if the congregation in church didn't respond when he sang before it. He was so gifted and ambitious that by age 4 he had sung on stage at a Sam Cooke show and by age 11 had mastered several instruments and recorded a gospel song with his siblings. He was so committed to the races working together that in his teens and early 20s he was playing in local bands that included Black and white members and was becoming known around the Bay Area as a deejay equally willing to play the Beatles and rhythm and blues acts. 'A Whole New Thing' came out in 1967, soon followed by the single 'Dance to the Music,' in which each member was granted a moment of introduction as the song rightly proclaimed a 'brand new beat.' In December 1968, the group appeared on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' and performed a medley that included 'Dance to the Music' and 'Everyday People.' Before the set began, Sly turned to the audience and recited a brief passage from his song 'Are You Ready': don't hate the white, if you get bitten, just hate the bite.'
Black America Web
37 minutes ago
- Black America Web
Style Gallery: Will The BET Awards Dress Code Bring The Drama We're Hoping For? We Hope So
Source: Aaron J. Thornton / Getty Black tie, but make it culture. The 2025 BET Awards are about to be a fashion movie. For the first time, the BET Awards is setting the tone. Tomorrow, June 9, the network celebrates 25 years of culture-shifting moments with a formal black tie dress code. And if you know anything about the culture, we love to put that ish on. What better way to do it than with a fabulous formal theme? BET's 2025 Awards Show Dress Code Has Entered The Chat & It's Black Tie This year's awards show is shaping up to be more than just a celebration of music, film, and television. It's also a tribute to legacy, style, and the artistry of Black designers. BET has tapped Harlem's Fashion Row to help bring the fashion vision to life. BET and HFR are pairing this year's Best New Artist nominees with Black designers Richfresh, Megan Renee, LaTouche, and Rey Ortiz Jaiteh. That means custom looks, personal storytelling through fabric, and runway-ready moments that will make us gag. When it comes to black tie on the BET carpet, we know it's going to be a moment. For the ladies, that means floor-length gowns with sculptural shapes, dramatic tulle, trains longer than CVS receipts, romantic draping, and body-hugging corsets. Look out for exaggerated sleeves, fabulous feathers, sequined pieces, and silver, bronze, and gilded gold metallics. Also, don't be surprised if we see sheer moments, glamorous grills, and lace looks. For the men, expect tailored suits reimagined. We want to see double-breasted, sleeveless, monochrome, velvet, brocade, and suits dripping in details. Embellished lapels, brooches, and designer loafers can take suits to the next level. Chains over blazers? Of course. Luxe textures? Absolutely. The red carpet should perfectly mix personal style and formal glam. And whether it's Law Roach giving a glam breakdown or Teyana Taylor turning heads on stage, fashion will be its headliner. The BET red carpet never misses. Before the 2025 style rolls in, we're looking back at some of the most iconic fashion moments in BET Awards history. Keep scrolling to see our gallery – and how celebs have already worn versions of black tie to the BET Awards. Style Gallery: Will The BET Awards Dress Code Bring The Drama We're Hoping For? We Hope So was originally published on Source:Getty Taraji brought pure drama to the 2024 BET Awards in this gilded chainlink gown with bold structure and black bustier detail. Her asymmetrical bob was sleek and glossy, perfectly matching her bronzed glam and smoky eye. With a gold choker and confident pose, Taraji owned the carpet. Source:Getty It's the feathers for us! Kelly Rowland attended the 2015 BET Awards giving us fashion, fabulousness, and feathers. The 'Motivation' singer is wearing a high-neck, long-sleeve mini dress with feather details on her sleeves and skirt. Kelly let her dress be the main character by styling her hair in a sleek pulled back ponytail. Source:Getty Queen Bey glimmered in silver at the 2007 BET Awards, wearing a crystal-covered gown cinched with a cinching corset. Her honey blonde waves and green shimmer eyeshadow were the perfect match for the futuristic fantasy. One thing about Beyoncé, she is going to slay. Source:Getty Yung Miami went ready to cause a commotion at the 2024 BET Awards. Our good Sis wore a barely-there black gown with a velvet bra-style bodice and opera gloves. Her sleek bob and glossy skin made the entire look feel extra luxe. She gave body-ody-ody – and style. Source:Getty Chlöe gave body, confidence, and couture in this sultry one-sleeve black gown featuring a sculpted neckline and sequin embroidery. Her loc'd high ponytail with slicked edges and bold lashes showed off her gorgeous cheekbones. This was a textbook slay dark, daring, and full of main character vibes. Source:Getty At the 2018 BET Awards, Tyra gave us regal realness in a nude, sequin-encrusted jumpsuit with sheer puff sleeves that elevated the whole vibe. We love her look because its a different take on black tie. Her shoulder-length bob was flipped just right, and her soft pink lip added a feminine balance to the structured fit. Source:Getty Novi Brown served culture and couture in a LaFalaise Dionn creation adorned with cowrie shells and a daring thigh-high slit. Her twisted bantu knot updo and pearl-studded choker gave royal priestess vibes. It was a look rooted in heritage and dripping in style. Source:Getty Serayah shut down the 2018 carpet in a two-piece metallic gold set with a cropped top and a cascading, ruffled high-low skirt. Her platinum bob and icy glam gave old Hollywood with a futuristic twist. The look was youthful, unexpected, and made black tie feel fresh. Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Black America Web
37 minutes ago
- Black America Web
Red Carpet Gallery: Kara Young Takes Home A Historic Tony Awards Win In A Tailored Look, Michelle Williams Sparkles, & Cynthia Erivo Is The Moment In Blush
Source: TheStewartofNY / Getty Broadway's it-girl Kara Young just made history again. And we're cheering from the front row. On Sunday, June 8, Kara made history as the first Black performer to win a Tony Award two years in a row. The stunning actress took home Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role as Aziza in Purpose . The Harlem native plays a social worker in the production. Kara has been nominated four years straight, with a previous win for Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch . So, we love to see her receive her theatre flowers. RELATED: Red Carpet Rundown: Stunning Celebrity Looks From The 2024 Tony Awards Kara Young Takes Home Historic Tony Awards Win In A Tailored Look We Love Source: KENA BETANCUR / Getty Kara reminded the audience why theater matters in her acceptance speech. The play powerhouse said, 'In this world that's so divided, theater is a safe, a sacred space that we have to honor and cherish—and it makes us united.' Kara's win is a win for every little Black girl with Broadway dreams and every Black woman carving space in creative industries. She added in the press room, 'I truly feel like we are so divided out here in the world… Diversity literally equals humanity.' She didn't just deliver a message on stage and the mic; Kara also delivered a style statement on the red carpet. Kara accepted her trophy in tailored elegance. She wore a cropped satin tuxedo jacket over a sleek pencil skirt with a dramatic floor-length train that commanded attention. Her locs were styled into a regal top knot, and her stacked silver bangles added a little shine. She topped her look off with black and white pumps that tied everything together. Source: Sean Zanni / Getty From Kara Young's Win To Oprah Getting A Car, The 2025 Tony Awards Was A Whole Vibe The 2025 Tony Awards weren't just about what happened on stage but off as well. Hosted by Cynthia Erivo, the night was packed wit h glam, show-stopping performances, and viral-worthy moments. One of the most unforgettable segments was when Cynthia hilariously 'gifted a car' to Oprah Winfrey. 'You get a car!' exclaimed Cynthia. Oprah couldn't help but smile and laugh – and so did we. We love a full-circle TV moment. And while the awards were entertaining, the red carpet also did what it needed to do. The styles were giving, the suits were iconic, and the hair and beauty looks were flawless. Keep scrolling to see looks from Ariana DeBose, Danielle Brooks, Leslie Odom, Jr., and more. Red Carpet Gallery: Kara Young Takes Home A Historic Tony Awards Win In A Tailored Look, Michelle Williams Sparkles, & Cynthia Erivo Is The Moment In Blush was originally published on Source:Getty As host, Cynthia Erivo didn't come to play. In true Cynthia fashion, she came to slay and make a statement. Her red carpet look was pure art. The actress-singer wore a velvet blush-toned gown that fit her like a glove. The dress included an architectural beaded bodice and satin train. To set off the look, she added diamond jewelry, a nude lip, and, of course, her signature bling nails. Source:Getty Audra McDonald brought old Hollywood glam with a sharp edge in this one-shoulder black sequin gown, complete with a royal purple side train. Her long braid was sleek and statement-making, proving that simplicity can still command attention. Source:Getty Michelle Williams is giving statuesque style in this beaded masterpiece from Bibhu Mohapatra. The 'Death Becomes Her' star is bold, regal, and the moment. And those bone-straight inches? Everything! Source:Getty Danielle Brooks made brown the moment in this voluminous embellished sheer Stephane Rolland SS25 Couture gown with puff sleeves and glimmering accents. Her braided top knot was sculptural perfection, and her energy was radiating confidence and joy. Source:Getty Leslie Odom Jr. gave an elevated suited look in a structured pinstripe gray suit with an exaggerated silhouette. He topped it with dark sunnies, polished shoes, and a soft turtleneck for a look that was equal parts boss and bold. His swaggy take on menswear should be studied. Source:Getty Ariana DeBose went full ethereal in a silky champagne slip dress that hugged her like a second skin. Her blonde box braids were styled down with soft waves, and the pearl layered necklaces added just the right touch of drama. Who doesn't love an effortless slay? Source:Getty LaChanze gave texture and movement in a layered halter style gold fringe dress from Karen Millen that danced every time she did. Her voluminous curls and stacked bangles tied the whole vintage glam moment together. Source:Getty Joy Woods was dipped in golden goddess energy, serving curves and culture in a long-sleeve beaded gown that sparkled with every step. Her high curly bun gave regal drama, while soft glam makeup let her natural beauty shine. Source:Getty Daveed Diggs gave disco tux realness in a shimmering mint green suit with white trim and a wide lapel. The tailored fit, textured fabric, and rhinestone bolo tie brought the flair only he can deliver. His look was a little retro, a little futuristic, and all fire. Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
