Photo by Henry Leutwyler
From sleeping on a gym floor at 13 to becoming the first Black woman principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland turned the impossible into muscle memory.
A Final Bow But Not a Goodbye
On October 22, 2025, Misty Copeland took her final bow as principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) during the company’s Fall Gala at Lincoln Center.
The evening, titled A Celebration Honoring Misty Copeland, brought together generations of artists, admirers, and supporters to mark the end of an extraordinary 25-year journey.
Copeland, who made history in 2015 as the first Black woman to reach ABT’s highest rank, described the moment not as an ending, but a transition.
Speaking to the Associated Press, she said, “You know, I’ve become the person that I am today, and have all the opportunities I have today, because of ballet, (and) because of American Ballet Theatre. I feel like this is me saying thank you to the company. So it’s a farewell. (But) it won’t be the end of me dancing. … Never say never.”
Breaking Barriers and Reimagining Ballet
Misty Copeland’s story has always been one of resilience and revolution. Discovered at 13 through a Boys & Girls Club ballet class, she defied the odds in a world that often told her she didn’t belong.
Her rise to principal dancer shattered long-standing racial and body-type stereotypes in one of the most exclusive art forms on earth.
Over two decades, she became not only a principal dancer but a cultural icon, a voice for inclusion, equity, and artistic excellence.
Her performances in Swan Lake, Firebird, and Romeo and Juliet redefined what grace, strength, and representation look like on the global stage.
The End of an Era and the Start of Another
Her departure from ABT closes a historic chapter, but Misty’s next act is already taking shape.
She plans to keep performing while expanding her work as an author, advocate, and founder of the Misty Copeland Foundation, which provides access to dance education for underrepresented youth.
Through books, documentaries, and brand collaborations, Copeland has become a symbol of perseverance and purpose, using her platform to inspire others to own their narrative and rise on their own terms.
A Legacy That Moves Beyond the Stage
Misty Copeland’s farewell is not just a milestone for ballet; it is a cultural moment.
Her presence on stage opened doors for countless young dancers of color who can now see themselves reflected in an art form once defined by exclusion.
As she continues to write her next chapter, Copeland reminds us that success is not just about reaching the top. It is about lifting others on the way up.
