Iconic ballerina Michaela DePrince, known for her appearance in Beyoncé’s Lemonade video, has died suddenly aged 29.
Her cause of death remains unknown, according to her family.
The trailblazing dancer first rose to fame thanks to her inspiring story of escaping systemic violence in Sierra Leone, Africa and becoming a world-class dancer.
She was born Mabinty Mangura and spent the early years of her life in an orphanage in which she was underfed and treated poorly before being adopted by an American couple at the age of four.
She then spent her childhood in New Jersey where she trained as a ballerina, soon rising to world fame.
On Friday, September 13, her team announced her passing on Instagram: ‘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 post continued: ‘Her life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us.
‘She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places.’
She first gained public attention on the program First Position, which followed her and other dancers as they prepared for the Youth America Grand Prix dance competition.
She then appeared on the American version of Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing With the Stars, when she was just 17, which led her to appear in Beyoncé’s Lemonade video in the segment called Hope.
Michaela was also a major advocate for children in war zones throughout her career.
The dancer also had vitiligo, a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes patches of skin to lose color or pigment, and became a strong voice for normalising the condition.
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