Pioneering dancer Michaela DePrince has died suddenly at age 29, her spokesman said Friday.
DePrince’s family has not revealed the cause of death of 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.
Born Mabinty Mangura, she 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.
She rose to stardom at age 17 when she appeared on Dancing with the Stars, and was best known for her leading role in Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” music video.
Pioneering dancer Michaela DePrince has died suddenly at age 29
Born Mabinty Mangura, DePrince suffered malnutrition and abuse in an orphanage for the first few years of her life before becoming a world-renowned dancer.
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.
‘She was a beacon of hope to many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can emerge from the darkest of places.
“Although her time with us was all too brief, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of all those who were touched by her story, for generations to come. Our love and prayers go out to her chosen family, her friends, and those who loved her.”
In an interview with the Associated Press in 2012, DePrince recalled the moment inside an orphanage when she realized she wanted to be a dancer.
She said she saw a picture of a ballerina on the cover of a magazine and “all I can remember is that she looked really, really happy.” From that moment on, she vowed to “become that exact person.”
Explaining her tragic story, she told the outlet: “I lost both of my parents so I was there (at the orphanage) for about a year and they didn’t treat me very well because I had vitiligo (a skin condition).”
‘They sorted us by numbers and number 27 was the least favorite and that was my number, so I got the least amount of food, the least amount of clothing and so on.’
DePrince’s family has not revealed the cause of death of 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.
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