Michaela DePrince’s Story: Redefining Beauty and Strength in Ballet

Introduction: The talented dancer Who Changed the Course of Dance

Aside from being a ballerina, DePrince not only represents a survivor but strength, elegance and perserverance. Her migration from the torn country of Sierra Leone to dancing for the world’s major ballet companies is quite remarkable. This paper will demonstrate how the experience of Michaela DePrince proposes a struggle for survival and fighting against a tormented past: thus, the young dancer built a new form of beauty where strength prevails on fragility, giving a voice to the previews oppressed body of the ballet dancers. Her life is an inspiring story that shows people that they are able and willing to fight with various non-accepted viewpoints in society.

From War Orphan to Ballet Prodigy: This is the stage often referred to as the Early Years

since most human beings are born with minimal abilities and thousands of milestones are recorded to be achieved within early years of life of a human being.
Sierra Leonean born Mabinty Bangura, later Michaela DePrince lived through the country’s ruthless civil war and had to endure harrowing circumstances that define most of her childhood experience. She lost her parents in the war which left her at the age of three and she grows up in the refugee camp where she was rejected by her community because of skin disorder commonly known as vitiligo which is a depigmentation of the skin. Due to her looks, she was even called ‘the devil’s child’ and she had to endure very harsh Discrimination.

Despite the situation that Michaela had found herself in, she discovers a ballet magazine which she can relate with and use the rest of her life. From the cover of the book she got an idea to become a ballerina, she wished to become a dancer. . Little did she know that this dream would one day take her to different countries and on top most stages.

In 1999, Michaela was adopted by a new American family. Her adopting parents supported her passion to ballet and they put her through dance classes. Michaela possessed innate ability and a sheer determination which made her one of school’s most promising ballet pupils. But she didn’t have less problems on her way, of course.

Breaking Barriers: The Dark Side of Whites In Ballet

The ballet community has for a long time been associated with some stringently defined type of beauty—the ‘White Ballet Swan,’ as it could easily be described. For centuries, this has ensured that many dancers of colour remained unable to penetrate this world and find success as a ballet dancer. Difficulties are described throughout the young Black woman’s Michaela DePrince, who had vitiligo skin disease, while performing the dream.

Racial discrimination was rife throughout Michaela’s training. One day a ballet tutor told her that “black girls should not dance ballet,” the words which, coming from a tutor, might have hurt her deeply. On the contrary, Michaela utilized such experiences to go further and show that talent that combined with passion, as well as hard work, are worth more than the unfair judgments of people.

Her big chance was then given to her when she got the opportunity to join the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. She could no longer be hidden and, slowly but surely, Michaela was becoming a force in the dance world, definitively changing people’s perceptions over what it meant for a black girl to be a bailarina.

Redefining Beauty and Strength in Ballet

According to Sully’s article and the movie, ‘The Butterfly, ‘ the portrayal of beauty and strength in ballet needs definition.
Unfortunately, where Michaela brings a pure talent to the stage, what makes the audience admire her is not just her flexibility but the redefinition of manner in which the black female body can conceive beauty and power in the ballet domain. Historically, the image of a ballerina having been stereotypically associated with slender and thin-looking women. However, it is not the case anymore and it is proven by Michaela who went on stage and changed the outlook shaped by those prejudices.

She is a black woman, muscular and tall with patches of vitiligo hence changed the ballet’s stereotypical beauty standards. That’s why Michaela’s achievements in a sphere that was once filled with discriminators and exclusions to people who looked like her proves that beauty is diverse.

To support her opinion with one’s own words Michaela states for herself the following: “I want to alter the definition of beauty… and be strong and beautiful despite being different, and not have to conform to a ballet world.

The positive message that she has been spreading does not end with her job promotion. In issues of racism and discrimination Michaela takes a stand and fights for the rights of young Dancers of color. Performing with the Dutch National Ballet as well as traveling to perform in other countries she still persists in making change and encouraging the next generation of dancers.

A Global Star: How and in what way Michaela DePrince has influenced ballet?

The career of Michaela DePrince has gone as high as it can get as she landed a position with an international company. Many have seen her dancing with some of the most popular ballet companies in the world such as; the Dutch National Ballet and the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Her performances have thrilled crowd as well as critics while the recognition has come in the form of being applauded for both the skill and passion.

Off the stage, Michaela has been a symbol for arts as well as for humanitarianism in the whole world. She is also a social activist and has addressed at UN about education and chance for children in countries which are in conflict, and she has volunteered for NGOs that helps children in need. Her autobiography, Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina along with many others has been able to bring positive changes to its readers as well as the film.

The role that has Michaela play as a dancer, an activist and a public personality has affected the ballet world a lot. She have proved that strength is not in the face but the spirit as well as beauty is all over the place and not necessarily in the face.

The Legacy of Michaela DePrince: The Importance in Educating the Next Generation

It, therefore, means that Michaela DePrince is not only a dancer, but she is hope, resilience and change. Her account touches with audiences beyond ballet. Michaela has illustrated that prejudice can be overcome to change the definitions of beauty and might to realize one’s dreams for inspiration and motivation for many people.

They have someone that they look up to and is a positive role model for young dancers of color especially for those with stout genotype like her. This works has created a room for a change to embrace diversified dancers in ballet, and for sure Michaela’s contribution will impact the future of arts.

It can be said that she managed to disrupt the established order, and at the same time retain her composure and dignity. Such real life success stories like Michaela DePrince’s imply that with dedication, passion and hard work it is possible to change the world, to revolutionize the industries, to positively influence the future generations.

Conclusion: A Step Forward to a New Life

Michaela DePrince’s has demonstrated a powerful narrative of overcoming the odds, reclaiming beauty, and, in effect reformulating an art form which had long remained elitist. From the devastated areas of Sierra Leone to world renowned stages, her story tells a great story of human spirit.

Although she was involved with the dance for a short time, she left her mark on ballet and the changes she made to help diversify the art form are invaluable. It will not be a mistake to say that Michaela has not only reformed the interpretation of the ballerina performance but has also changed the meaning of the beauty and strength.

With the success of Michaela in the international level she becomes not only an icon for young dreamers on dancing and beauty but also about embracing oneself and achieving dreams a person may have despite facing barriers in the society.