Misty Copeland made history was in the ballet world this week when was promoted to principal dancer, thereby becoming the first black female principal in the 75-year history of the American Ballet Theatre.
The company announced the promotion on Tuesday, about a week after Copeland made her New York debut in the lead role of “Swan Lake,” one of the most coveted roles in ballet.
The 32-year-old, who has been credited with bringing a diverse audience to ballet, has been outspoken about her desire to become the first black woman to take on the prestigious role as a principal dancer at the American Ballet.
“My fears are that it could be another two decades before another black woman is in the position that I hold with an elite ballet company,” she wrote in her 2014 memoir. “That if I don’t rise to principal, people will feel I have failed them.”
Besides her fame as a skilled ballerina, Copeland has also achieved a level a fame outside of the ballet world. She was featured on the cover of TIME magazine, has a best-selling memoir, Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina and has been in TV commercials. She also danced on tour with Prince.
Watch a short clip of the historical moment below!
(Photo Credit: Twitter)
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