A Sierra Leonean dancer who appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” and in Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” music video album died Friday at the age of 29, leaving behind a haunting final post on Instagram.
Michaela Mabinty DePrince, 29, captioned what would be her final post with a peace sign emoji, seemingly waving goodbye, while dressed in an all-black Nike ensemble.
Also linked to the post is soul singer Khalid’s song ‘Better’, whose lyrics read: ‘Nothing feels better than this, nothing feels better.’
The dancer’s death comes just a week after her adoptive mother, Elaine ‘Mamma E’ DePrince, also died, and the dancer’s sister, Mia DePrince, announced the family tragedy on her Instagram.
Michaela Mabinty DePrince, 29, died on Friday at the age of 29, leaving behind a haunting final Instagram post
DePrince’s family has not yet offered a cause of death.
DePrince’s family has not yet offered a cause of death for “Mamma E” or the young dancer, who won waves of fans by sharing her story as an orphan who escaped violence in Sierra Leone to become a world-renowned dancer.
The adopted dancer’s latest post transitions to a secondary photo of her in another sportier, grey and white Nike-sponsored outfit, looking off into the distance.
Following DePrince’s death, the newspaper was filled with messages of condolence.
One comment read: “I was heartbroken by the news. I felt so identified with you, a girl who was adopted at a young age and aspired to dance. Rest in paradise.”
Another said: “I’m still in shock and not knowing what happened is even more heartbreaking.”
One Reddit user said: “This hit me hard and I’m not going to take it easy on her. I cried when she finally got her chance in Beyoncé’s video. I cried because of how proud I was of her. I still cry about this.”
The dancer’s death comes just a week after the passing of her adoptive mother, Elaine ‘Mamma E’ DePrince, the dancer’s sister, Mia DePrince, announced on Instagram.
Mia DePrince, 30, shared a heartwarming post of the two sisters as children on Instagram on Friday.
DePrince’s sister, 30, also shared a heartwarming post of the two as children on Instagram yesterday.
The message read: “I am truly in shock and deep sadness. My beautiful sister is no longer here. From the beginning of our story in Africa, sleeping on a shared mat at the orphanage, Michaela (Mabinty) and I used to make up our own musical plays and perform them.”
The pioneer dancer’s sister went on to recount fond memories of her sister’s childhood.
‘We created our own ballets. She choreographed and I was the composer and director. When we were adopted, our parents quickly embraced our dreams and gave birth to the beautiful and strong ballerina that many of you know today.
“I love you, my beautiful Butterfly,” she concluded the post.
Born Mabinty Mangura, the dancer suffered malnutrition and abuse in an orphanage for the first few years of her life, before being adopted by a couple in New Jersey at the age of four.
Announcing her death on Friday, DePrince’s spokesman said her “art touched countless hearts and her spirit inspired so many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet and beyond.”
Announcing her death on Friday, DePrince’s spokesman said her “art touched countless hearts and her spirit inspired so many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet and beyond.”
“Her life was marked 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,” the statement read.
DePrince was an avid humanitarian activist who often advocated for children affected by conflict and violence.
She worked as an ambassador for War Child Holland and often “flew to third world countries to provide dance classes to orphans and children,” her sister shared on Instagram.
In lieu of flowers, DePrince’s family asked people to donate to War Child, an organization the famed dancer supported.