MISTY COPELAND
How this world-class ballerina stays on her toes
In June 2015, American Ballet Theatre named 33-year-old Misty Copeland the first black principal dancer in its history. A milestone, to be sure. But Copeland, who didn’t slip into ballet slippers until she was 13 (years after most professional dancers take up the barre), was already accustomed to breaking down barriers, not the least of which was playing against type as a muscular athlete in a world populated by waiflike swans.
What are Sundays like for you? Sometimes I have a photo shoot or rehearsal on a Sunday, but most Sundays are a welcome day off from the fast pace of the week. I wake up around 8:30 and take a ballet class, usually on the Upper West Side [in New York City]. Then, often my fiancé [attorney Olu Evans] meets me after class for brunch. I also try to take time to rest and take care of my body to prepare for the next week.
It seems like you are always on the go. Believe it or not, I’m really a homebody. As busy as my life gets these days, there is nothing like sitting on my couch watching an old Bette Davis movie.
Did being the only black dancer in American Ballet Theatre scare you or motivate you? A bit of both. Initially, I was uncertain what to make of being “the only one.” I questioned whether classical ballet was really the world I was supposed to be in. But ABT was my dream company. I decided to stay and work to make a difference for future brown ballerinas.
You’re seen as more athletic and curvier than most ballerinas. Were you always OK with your body type? I was not always OK with my body, particularly after going through puberty at a late age.
I struggled to understand my body and how to best take care of it. I did not always eat right.
It took me several years to get to a place where I understood what made sense, but once I did I viewed my body as beautiful and strong. I’ve felt that way ever since. What word would you choose to define your life and why? I would define my life as purposeful. I don’t take any of what I’m experiencing on or off the stage for granted. What is your advice to young women facing scrutiny based on their appearance? My mantra is never let other people’s words and thoughts define you.
What do you want to be remembered for most? I hope to be remembered for being a huge advocate for classical ballet and for helping to bring diversity to this art form. I love it and I want others to love it too.
Do you have aspirations apart from ballet? There is so much on my plate with Under Armour, Seiko, the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Turnaround Arts program with PS 284 in Brooklyn, for which I’m an ambassador, and writing more books. But all of it connects to ballet.
You’ve accomplished some pretty amazing things, but what is the most fun you’ve had to date? I enjoyed going to Greece this past summer on vacation and just relaxing for a week after a multitude of my dreams came true. But to be honest, the entire journey has been so much fun. I’m living my dream.