Elite Traveler Fall 2021

INFLUENCE THE BIG INTERVIEW

Misty Copeland on the passion of dance and diversity

American ballet dancer Misty Copeland defied all odds — growing up poor as a woman of color, she achieved one of the most important titles in ballet. She shares her story, her love of dance and her dream of bringing more diversity to ballet with Elite Traveler ’s Roberta Naas

Most ballerinas begin as small children, smitten with a desire to dance, or coaxed into classes by parents. But tutus and ballet shoes weren’t part of Copeland’s early life. The first African American woman promoted to principal ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Copeland didn’t take a single dance class until she was 13 years old, when she was encouraged by a local trainer. It would change her life, and the lives of others, forever. “I often say that ballet found me,” says Copeland, explaining that, when she was growing up in California, she went to the Boys & Girls Club when her mother was working. A ballet teacher approached Copeland, convincing her to take a class. “It was the first time I was part of any organized sport or the arts,” says Copeland. “I needed to be pushed, and I needed someone to believe in me because I wasn’t getting that at home.” Those first classes taken at the age of 13 were freeing for her: “I fell in love with the escape from the circumstances that were my life. Not often having a

home and being very poor, I was in survival mode all of the time, and this was a place where I could put my focus on something that was beautiful.” She trained intensely after that, and it was almost immediately observed that she was a true prodigy. By age 14 she was performing, and at 15 she was winning awards. Those teenage years, though, were challenging. Copeland lived with her trainer as her host for several years, had a confusing relationship with her mother at times, and moved around to join classes, perform and attend workshops. She also struggled with the fact that she was a black woman in a predominantly white ballet world, making it incredibly challenging to rise through the ranks. “I remember having to put lighter makeup on my face to blend in with the rest of the ballet,” recalls Copeland. “That’s when I realized that I needed to find support. I had never really reached out and asked for advice or support, and it took me the long route to get to where I needed to go. I think I was 17 years old when I really came to terms with myself as a

One of the most accomplished ballerinas in the world, Misty Copeland didn't take a dance class until she was 13 years old