Why Did 43-Yr-Old Ballet Dancer, Misty Copeland Quit ABT, Is Ballet Not Ready For Black Ballerinas?

Misty Copeland transformed the world of ballet with her decades-long career as a ballerina. She is known as the first black ballerina performing with the American Ballet Theatre. However, after 25 years of performing and making people go aww, Misty Copeland hung up her pointe shoes after her retirement performance. Here's the reason why she left ABT.

Misty Copeland's last performance in the pointe shoes 

Misty Copeland stepped away from the American Ballet Theatre with her last performance on October 22, 2025. Misty is the first black woman to be the main dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, and it says a lot about the change she brought. She bid her farewell by performing on Romeo and Juliet, Sintara Suite, and more.

Oprah Winfrey and Debbie Allan were some of the few who gave speeches to praise her. Oprah applauded her for leading iconic ballets such as Swan Lake as a person of colour. She further revealed how Misty didn't just perform but changed it and redefined it for many. She said:

"Misty didn't just perform ballet. She changed it. She redefined who belongs, who gets to be seen, and who gets to lead."

Misty Copeland clarified she has not retired from ballet, just parted ways with ABT

It is worth mentioning that Misty Copeland was just 18 years old when she joined American Ballet Theatre. She worked hard and built a global name for herself. In 2015, she made history by becoming the first woman of colour to be promoted to principal dancer at ABT. 

Misty Copeland has been away from the stage for the past five years due to the pandemic and motherhood. However, Misty clarified that it is not her retirement performance, but a conscious decision to move away from the institution, which propelled and restricted her. She describes her 'exit' as a release rather than an end to her career. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Misty said:

"What I’m trying to make clear, which I feel like hasn’t been clear, is that I’m not retiring. This is the end of ABT for me. But I want to continue performing in some capacity."

Why did Misty Copeland quit ABT?

Misty Copeland wasn't just performing for fame or entertainment. She has been vocal about racial bias in casting and costuming. She used the platform to push for systemic reform within ABT and the wider ballet community. And her parting ways with ABT leaves a void. 

Misty has received many accolades and applause for her artistry, but she often stood alone in representing Black women on the world's most prestigious ballet stages. She once expressed shock over being the only Black woman in the company and highlighted how the progress has been slow. 

What's next for Misty Copeland?

Misty Copeland is set for the future. In 2021, she launched the Misty Copeland Foundation, a non-profit aimed at promoting equality in the arts. She also has her own production company, Life in Motion, which she co-founded in 2015 with Leyla Fayyaz. The production house is dedicated to sharing authentic dance stories beyond traditional Hollywood drama. 

Misty Copeland has been away from ballet dancing for the last five years, and her performance was both a return and a departure from ABT. Talking about her personal life, she is married to Olu Evans and they are blessed with a three-year-old son, Jackson. He ran on the stage to hug his mother during the curtain calls of her final performance. 

What do you think about Misty Copeland's dreamy journey?

Next Read: Who Is Misty Copeland's Husband, Olu Evans? Attorney, Not On Instagram, Met Ballerina In A Club

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