The ballet world is mourning the death of Dancing with the Stars’ Michaela Mabinty DePrince, an inspirational ballerina who beat staggering odds to become one of the world’s most famous dancers.
Michaela, an orphan from war-torn Sierra Leone, was a dancer with the Boston Ballet who gained widespread notoriety after starring in the 2011 documentary First Position. She died September 10 at only 29.
Adding to the family’s tragic loss, Michaela’s adoptive mom – who rescued Michaela from the filthy shelter where she was told she was “too ugly” to find a family – died only 24 hours later.
After her father was brutally killed in war-torn Sierra Leone and her mother died from fever, four-year-old Michaela Mabinty DePrince was abandoned by her uncle in a shelter where staff every day tried to break her spirit.
Known then as “Number 27” a young Michaela had little hope of finding a family as she had vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigmentation.
The young girl, called “the devil child” because of her patchy skin, was told repeatedly that she was too ugly to be picked.
“We were all ranked from the most favored to the least, and I was at the very bottom for being rebellious and having a skin condition called vitiligo, which produces white freckles on my neck and chest,” Michaela said, adding she slept on a grass sleeping mat with “Number 26.”
Aside from the vomit-stained nightgown she was wearing, all she had was a magazine, which according to Glamour had (literally) blown onto her face. And on the cover was a ballerina en pointe – a dancer supporting all her body weight on the tips of her toes.
“The dancer looked beautiful and happy, that’s what caught my eye,” Michaela tells Glamour. “I wanted to be happy.”
And the crumpled old photo of the ballerina was the first thing she handed Elaine DePrince, who took her to her new home in New Jersey.
“There was so much love right away,” said Michaela, who over the next two decades would be the prima ballerina on the cover of magazines. “I had never been surrounded by something like that.”
‘My life is proof’
Michaela’s passion for dancing was ignited at a young age, and she pursued her dreams with remarkable dedication.
In 2011, Michaela became one of the stars of First Position, a documentary that followed six gifted dancers leading up to the competition for a place in the prestigious American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet (JKO)
She not only earned a spot but was also awarded a scholarship to study at JKO.
The same year the award-winning documentary was released, Michaela also appeared on Dancing with the Stars.
“My life is proof that no matter what situation you’re in, as long as you have a supportive family, you can achieve anything,” Michaela said.
In 2012, the talented ballerina joined the renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she continued to shine as a rising star. Her exceptional talent and grace later led her to the Dutch National Ballet, where the War Child Ambassador further established herself as a formidable presence in the ballet world.
While she was living in Amsterdam and training for The Nutcracker, she received a call, inviting her to travel to New Orleans and dance in Beyonce’s hour-long video, Lemonade, which was released in 2016.
Speaking with the Wall Street Journal of meeting the pop sensation, Michaela said, “She walked up to me and said, ‘It’s such an honor to have you here.’ I was really cheesy and said, ‘The honor is mine.’ I was on cloud nine.”
‘Beacon of hope’
On September 10, her family released a heartbreaking message about the principal soloist with the Boston Ballet.
“Rest in Power,” the post starts about the dancer who died on September 10. “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 Facebook post describes Michaela as an inspiration who “stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places.”
The cause of her death has not yet been released.
Mom ‘spared the pain’
Only 24 hours after Michaela’s sudden death, her doting adoptive mom Elaine DePrince died on September 11 “during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery.”
A family statement on Facebook explains that at the time of Elaine’s death, she was unaware that her daughter had died.
“As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated. The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child.” The message continues, “What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24-hour period is tragic and devastating. We continue to ask for privacy…”
Rest in peace Michaela and Elaine. Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can all send a lot of love to the family and friends of this mother-daughter duo.
Тhе wоmаn kерt hеаring а strаngе nоisе соming frоm hеr flооr: whаt shе sаw rеаlly sсаrеd hеr
Across the globe, homeowners embarking on the journey of home improvement often stumble upon unexpected treasures and mysteries hidden within their walls and floors. Here are some astonishing stories that highlight the surprises that can be unearthed during the renovation process.
1. Superman’s First Appearance in Minnesota:
A young couple, David and Indiana Gonzalez from Minnesota, took a gamble by purchasing a dilapidated house in Elbow Lake for ten thousand dollars. Amidst the dust and debris of the remodeling process, they stumbled upon a 1938 comic book, featuring the first appearance of Superman. Recognizing its potential value, the couple auctioned the comic for an astounding $100,750.
2. Buzzing Floorboards Reveal Bee Haven in Louisiana:
In Louisiana, a woman endured mysterious noises emanating from beneath her floorboards. Seeking professional help, an expert, Jeff Horkhoff, discovered not just one but thousands of bees living under the floor. Though initially alarming, these bees proved harmless when handled properly. The discovery highlighted the unique and communal nature of these buzzing creatures.
3. Unidentified Creatures in New Zealand:
Tim Clark from New Zealand rushed to his mother’s aid when she discovered strange bugs in her kitchen. Perplexed by the unidentified creatures, Tim shаrеd pictures and videos on social media, seeking help. Scientists at the University of Auckland could not definitively identify the creatures, leaving the mystery of these strange bugs unsolved.
4. Hidden Safe Yields Cash and Vintage Whiskey:
A couple renovating their kitchen floor uncovered a hidden safe with a mechanical combination lock. Having found a note with the combination just two months earlier, they managed to crack it open. Inside, they discovered eight stacks of one hundred dollar bills, amounting to $51,000, and a vintage whiskey bottle from 1960.
5. Ancient Roman Villa Beneath London Barn:
Luke Irwin, a carpet designer in London, intended to convert his barn into a table tennis space. During the renovation, workers unearthed an intricate mosaic floor. Reporting the discovery to the city council, archaeologists later determined that the house was built on the site of an ancient Roman villa dating back to 220 A.D.
6. Bee-infested Walls in Pinos Puente:
A couple in Pinos Puente noticed mysterious humming sounds in their home, which they eventually traced back to bees entering a hole in the wall. Beekeeper Sergio Guerrero confirmed the presence of over 80,000 bees within the walls. Guerrero spent numerous hours carefully extracting and relocating the swarm, emphasizing the unique cohabitation of insects and humans.
These tales serve as a reminder that the process of home improvement can unveil not only the history of the structure but also unexpected treasures and the fascinating world of creatures that shаrе our living spaces.
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