Michaela DePrince Died Suddenly And Unexpectedly...Here Is Our Tribute

[@gems3604]

No sooner had I resolved to see Michaela perform live in Boston, I received the news of Michaela passing. Evidently, whatever her mission was on earth at this time, both she and her mother were called up to leave this world. I think of Michaela as a shooting star. For that moment that you behold her and her artistry you are dazzled. And then in the blink of an eye she is gone, but the memory of her lingers. Her mother was an extraordinary human being.

[@balletreign]

Thank you for your beautiful analogy 💫 both women will be fondly remembered ❤️

[@Green.heron24]

Thank you ladies. This is the best, most honorable memorial and so inspiring. Good job honoring her mother Ms. Deprince who have her safety. opportunity and loving support.

[@patriceroland7363]

0⁰q1 a​@@balletreign

[@anaistshiunza3486]

Micheala Deprince was my inspiration as a black girl doing ballet and mostly when I was a teen wanting to quit because I was not finding myself in anybody else. Her passing was so painful to me but she led a beautiful and meaningful life. Her dancing was so incredible, quick on her feet, light as a feather when jumping and she is one of my favourite dancer and biggest inspiration in ballet

[@balletreign]

She led such a meaningful life and impacted so many people. Thanks for sharing your personal sentiments ❤️❤️

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

What a beautiful comment. I hope you are continuing to dance if you are able to. But I’m sure Michaela‘s spirit can inspire everybody in every aspect of life. 🙏🤍

[@SamBryans128]

She wasn't the devil's child; she was an angel who was here on loan to inspire us and to show us that there is hope. We were never meant to keep her. I'm just glad to say I lived during the short time of Michaela Mabinty DePrince.

[@balletreign]

Absolutely love this 😭😭❤️❤️

[@rebeccachang457]

😢You made me cry

[@micheledix2616]

Totally true.

[@amityjoy3732]

I had a book about her when I was little and I read it over and over and over again, she inspired me a lot to peruse ballet. And when I found out about her passing two weeks ago I was very sad, I'm glad you are making this video celebrating her legacy!

[@balletreign]

She inspired so many ✨✨

[@Witsandblades]

Such a beautiful dancer and beautiful soul. I haven't danced in a long time but always enjoyed watching her. May she rest in peace.

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@lilibetp]

I've been following her since First Position and I'm still a littled shocked that this happened. She was incredibly special.

[@m.h.6499]

Same. It is still shocking. I recall her saying that one day she wanted to go back to her homeland and create a ballet school for the children coming after her. Still can’t believe she is not here. 😞

[@erinelizabethmsw5137]

Same. 😢

[@Paimordial]

A few of my teachers from the Rock School were shown in clips with her in this video- I had no idea they worked with her!

[@oxoelfoxo]

didn't know about Michaela and Elaine before this but it's so sad. praying for their family. I looked up the Wikipedia article on both and Elaine's story is quite incredible, too. losing 3 hemophiliac sons to tainted blood and adopting so many children, what an incredible family.

[@aliceputt3133]

Her son's had hemophilia and received blood transfusions tainted with AIDS. Her son Michael asked his Mom to adopt a orphan to replace him. They named her Michaela in his honor. This is so sad. 💔

[@sirenfang1179]

I remember seeing clips of her dancing on my socials and always loving her grace, but never knew of her story. Thank you two for bringing it to us, it was a really touching tribute that brought me near tears because even though I barely knew of her, she seems to have been such an incredible person. With the loss of Maggie Smith yesterday, the world now has a little bit less magic in it, but I'm glad theirs was there at all ❤

[@balletreign]

Her story is so inspiring 💫 thank you for watching and celebrating her life with us ❤️

[@Ci_araaa]

The ending montage with the applause at the end... I lost it 😭 What a legacy. Thank you for sharing😢

[@balletreign]

Thank you for joining in celebrating their lives ❤️❤️👏🏻👏🏻

[@meremo8281]

This is such a wonderful tribute to Michaela. Thank you for an incredible video paying tribute to Michaela.

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@divab63]

So sad when I heard of her passing. And then her mother as well! She had such a story and her career was remarkable. Can’t wait to see your tribute

[@balletreign]

Both of them were such exemplary women ❤️❤️

[@Keirridwen]

She came and gave at talk at my school once, wonderful person and amazing ballerina. So sad to hear the news.

[@balletreign]

Wow what a wonderful privilege! So happy you had that experience with her ❤️

[@joannegracecali6503]

She is one of the most beautiful dancers I've ever seen - her strength, fluidity, and flawless and seemingly effortless execution of her steps and dances - just marvelous. It's amazing how she transcended her extremely difficult circumstances, and rose above them, through her vision and determination - is truly inspiring and a life lesson to any of us who perceive difficulties achieving what we want in life.

[@CheyenneSedai]

I wasn't very familiar with Michaela, but the absolute shock that went through one of the Discords I'm in that isn't even about ballet (its about gymnastics) really says a lot about how special she was to so many people. I wish I'd gotten to know her as a dancer more, and I hope that some day I can watch some of the recordings that are out there. Beautiful tribute.

[@balletreign]

She inspired so many in the ballet world and beyond ❤️ Highly recommend watching some recordings of her dancing, she is absolutely stunning ✨

[@aster_11]

The news was so heartbreaking to hear. She was such an inspiration for so many and stands for so much in the ballet community. I remember in school I did a whole project based off her book "hope in a ballet shoe". I really hope her family are doing ok, especially after the news of her mum passing too :( I'm so sad I never got to see her perform in real life.

[@balletreign]

They will be so missed. So much love to their family ❤️❤️

[@sharonjohnson9315]

She was a beautiful ballerina. The sacrifices, the talent, the loneliness, the hard work. I really will miss her...

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@amaerichi]

A very beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing your thoughts about her. Rest in peace Michaela

[@balletreign]

Thank you for celebrating her life with us ❤️❤️

[@ileanamuntean7338]

Beautiful and highly intelligent, an angel.

[@elainealexander3043]

A beautiful soul who was given to this earth for such a short period of time but my what an impact she made

[@balletreign]

We are so proud of her ✨✨

[@SolElarien]

She was so brave! She lived her dream, but it was cut short! It’s so tragic. Beautiful video, thank you!

[@balletreign]

Incredibly brave and so strong ✨ thank you for celebrating her with us ❤️❤️

[@pallas-danceyogapallas5978]

Beautiful tribute to a beautiful ballerina, soul & advocate. Such a devastating loss. RIP Michaela 🙏🏼💜🩰

[@klg263]

Thank you for this beautiful tribute highlighting the life and career of Micheala. ❤

[@balletreign]

We love Michaela ❤️❤️

[@claudettephillips8257]

My deepest condolences

[@ddahstan6876]

This's so Heartbroken, mother and daughter. May you RIP. 😔 Michaela has survived, conquered and inspired many generations. May her legacy carry on. I did not know when she died. I looked up-- passed away on my birthday. Triple Sadness.

[@balletreign]

wow 😭😭 They will always be remembered ❤️

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

A devastating loss for ballet and for humanity. Michaela will never be forgotten. I was shocked and saddened when I saw this headline. As a new fan of watching ballet, I had devoured the First Position documentary and Michaela was unforgettable in so many ways. I immediately looked up KZbin clips of her before any of the other dancers featured in that documentary. Michaela was flourishing professionally and I was delighted for her. What a tragedy. I look forward to watching your video about Michaela. RIP 🙏🤍🩰🎶

[@balletreign]

We also loved first position! She was gone too soon, but she did so much for the ballet world ❤️❤️❤️

[@dronesclubhighjinks]

@@balletreign Michaela was truly unique and her adoptive parents are amazing human beings. Your tribute was beautiful and touching. 🙏🤍

[@debrahardman6088]

She was beautiful and very talented. I am so sorry for her passing at such a young age.

[@esthereriksson865]

This is truly a great loss for ballet and for humanity, Michaela will never be forgotten. 💗 It is truly such a tragedy, and my hurt truly aches just thinking about it. Michaela is truly a star that will shine forever and we will never forget her💗 Looking forward to this video💗 Please Take Care💗💗

[@balletreign]

Thank you for these kind words. May her legacy will live on forever ✨✨

[@mermaidopulence8539]

I remember watching watching the Dutch National's version of Coppelia starring Michaela as Swanhilda (aka Swan) and instantly drawing to her amazing dancing. I looked up her name to see where she got her training from and I read about her past and how she was determined to become a ballerina. I also saw that she was on the documentary First Position which I watched when it came out but didn't put two and two together that she was the same little girl from the film. She definitely was a trailblazer for our generation of dancers and will be missed deeply but her legacy will continue to live on.

[@balletreign]

She was stunning in both films! The ballet world was blessed because of her ❤️❤️

[@mst3kharris]

Part of what especially breaks my heart is losing such a gifted Black dancer. I love watching Black people enter and excel in extremely traditionally white arenas, especially ones that have been written off as stuffy or elitist. I hate that little Black girls have lost a ballet inspiration, and that we’ve all lost her future performances. Her mother dying shortly thereafter just piles on. My heart goes out to her family and fans.

[@austinluther5825]

Michaela DePrince has been an inspiration to me for at least 10 years. She was not just a phenomenal dancer and artist, but a phenomenal person. A beautiful example of the potential of humanity. She will not be forgotten. ❤

[@celestinedetourvel1018]

What a beautiful smile… it adds so much to her strong and graceful way of dancing. I hope she and her mother find peace.

[@margreet0]

Thank you both for making this video! I first saw Michaela dance with theJunior Company of the Dutch National Ballet. I'll never forget. My condolences to her family.

[@franclarke8995]

Thank you so much for this video. Michaela was an extraordinary person and dancer who was at the same time so humble and showed such a gentle spirit in her amazing artistry. I know that she is dancing in Heaven, such a shining star. As dancers we must remember to get outside of our heads sometimes and be kind because nothing, not even the next minute, is promised to you.

[@arualblues_zero]

I loved watching her gracefully fly across the stage, ethereal and beautiful. I wish she could have given us many more years of her art and her magnificent inspiration.

[@cherylsp2010]

An unbelievable story and a beautiful soul! Thank you for covering this and testifying to her greatness. May she and her mother rest in peace and be an inspiration for us all forever!!

[@micheledix2616]

Thank you ladies, for this beautiful honour for Michaela DePrince

[@balletreign]

Thank you for celebrating her life with us ❤️❤️

[@diego-df]

My Thoughts and Prayers are with her family…such a beautiful soul ❤️

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@themaria7]

This was beautiful and the accompanying SL music added to the tenderness. Thank you ladies for this tribute, so well done as only fellow ballerinas could do. ❤

[@janeknight3597]

Thank you. I was not aware of this amazing dancer’s work. Such a great loss.

[@balletreign]

She has done so much for the ballet world and will be treasured forever ❤️

[@ssjb7542]

Thank you for such a heartfelt tribute. God Bless Michaela & Elaine, may they be remembered in Gods gifts of grace & glory AMEN

[@balletreign]

Thank you for celebrating them with us today ❤️

[@johannavanklaveren66]

Beautiful tribute

[@karenjones9961]

Michaela DePrince was one of the highlights of humanity. She was an absolutely beautiful ballerina and her gift and light will be sorely missed! Condolences and deepest sympathy to the DePrince family! John 11:25-26, John 14.6, John 3:16 ❤

[@balletreign]

Thank you for these kind words ❤️❤️

[@Mr3355661]

G-d bless her exquisite soul and that of her beautiful Mother! May their memories be eternal!

[@CosetteHenderson-p8j]

I had unfortunately never heard of her before the news came out, but it touched me regardless.

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@kilandrayeuxdoux2804]

Of all of the tributes, I believe yours is of the inspirational type. Seeing the light in her soul and her Mothers guiding light to truly inspire dreams for dancers now and in the future. Fly on lights of inspiration - and go for the stars where you can shine upon more and more.

[@balletreign]

🌟🌟❤️❤️

[@regmoran4840]

a precious lady gone too soon.💐🖤

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@coll4455]

Oh I’m so sad. She was the definition of never giving up

[@balletreign]

She truly was ❤️❤️

[@jaelzion]

Michael was an amazing dancer. She combined incredible grace with breath-taking power. I'm so sorry she died so young, but I'm so glad she got to llive her dream.

[@FireBird.37]

Beautiful dancer and spectacular individual 🙏

[@melowlw8638]

i first heard of her from the announcement.. i hope to see more of her work, even knowing she's not there anymore, she's remembered from her achievements 💖💖 her n her mother now rest together, which i hope can be a bit comforting for their family, while grieving them 💫💫

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Bbbbjjjjjjjj35]

I’m very happy that you guys covered this and it makes me very happy that to know I made the best choice to subscribe to a truly inclusive channel. You guys are awesome and hopefully we see you guys dance more 😊

[@avivabumgardner6107]

She was such a beautiful dancer and an inspiration to me as a dancer of color

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@evayaaasantewaa448]

Heartbreaking. I keep asking, "Why this one? Why now?" There's no answer. There's no making sense of it. But we have her example. A wonderful artist and woman.

[@MarshaNovak]

Lovely tribute -so sad

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@Avanell]

I bawled my eyes out. I was such a fan.

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

This is so very sad. As a still relatively new fan of this art form, I wasn't familiar with her, but I'm definitely going to get her book. Her story as told by y'all is really inspiring. As sad as it is, I fully believe that so many great artists die young because they accomplish what God meant for them to accomplish. Even those who have long lives like Coleridge, it wasn't until after he had gome through the journey of his own mariner, emerged on the other side, and wrote the gloss to his text. I'm reminded of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings, "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."

[@balletreign]

She has an incredible story, highly recommend her book. Thank you for sharing ❤️❤️

[@charlesTBear]

Thank you for doing this. I almost wrote you both for your thoughts. Michaela was one of my very favorite dancers. So very sad.

[@valerina01]

It was heartbreaking for so many of us to learn of her passing. What a beautiful tribute. My heartfelt condolences to Michaela’s friends and family. ❤

[@its.me.gab.]

Michaela inspired me to become a ballet dancer I related to her cause I’m also from Sierra Leone. Rest in peace Michaela DePrince you will be missed 🕊️

[@balletreign]

Aww that’s so special ✨ she will certainly be missed ❤️

[@Ms.Opinionated]

Michaela, Thank you for sharing your artistry with the world! First Position is an awesome ballet documentary. ❤❤

[@anonymoususer12345-o]

Rest in Peace to my ballet idol and to her mother 🩰💗Devastating news, an inspiration to so many and her incredible legacy will live on. A beautiful tribute video from you guys!

[@valeriesmith7261]

Thank you for this tribute. So touching.

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@gonefishing167]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 lovely tribute girls. Beautiful. 🙏👵🇦🇺

[@balletreign]

❤️❤️❤️

[@angelasaunders3558]

She’s greatly missed already 😢🙏🏽

[@redequal7457]

When I saw that she died, I bought tickets to a ballet, Swan Lake, which I saw this week. I also purchased a ticket for a Nutcracker ballet in December. And I am going to another Swan Lake by a different company in October. I too was inspired by Michaela to love ballet.

[@balletreign]

Aww that’s so wonderful, thank u for sharing that ❤️❤️

[@mistanobody3012]

Thank you so much for provide us an inspiring insight into her impressive life story and for showing all these beautiful photographs of this amazing soul.

[@MariValen-b8m]

Thank you Michaela for blessing this world with your wonderful dancing. Rest in peace. ❤

[@garsu1229]

This is such an amazing tribute I am from Boston and would have loved to see her. Her passing, is frightening. What happened? To lose both her and her Mom is so devastating..😢

[@annedawson-baltjes8230]

Thank you for sharing and celebrating her. An incredible human being.

[@Kimik-oy4pc]

What a nice tribute

[@jspohl]

We are all eternal and we all step into bliss when we return to non physical. Her spirit will inspire and shine through many, many wonderful dancers. 💖

[@veracitydancetheatre7523]

❤thank you for this. She is an inspiration

[@balletreign]

The world wouldn’t have been the same without her ❤️

[@danavixen6274]

As heartbreaking as this is, the tributes to Michaela DePrince and her loving mother Elaine are beautiful and well edited. Michaela was TRULY the Simone Biles of ballet. There was so much joy on her BEAUTIFUL face as she graced the stage. The lines. Her poise. She was the DEFINITION of a ballerina. Gone much too soon yet her legacy is UNFORGETTABLE. May Michaela continue to inspire others to do the impossible. Rest in ETERNAL paradise Michaela and Elaine DePrince. 😔🙏🏾❤️🕊️💐

[@happygucci5094]

Thank you for this video 💗 New sub

[@balletreign]

Aww thank you ❤️ welcome to the channel! 🥳🥳

[@TheOgelyng1]

Just ❤❤❤❤ just😢😢😢 just💔💔💔

[@adelinelantz4029]

as soon as I found out I couldn't believe it I thought and hoped it was just a roomer, Michaela was one of my biggest inspirations its soooo hard to know she's no longer here but its comforting to know she is now in a place where she will have no pain or suffering and still doing what she loves in heaven! and her mother I actually feel terrible cuz honestly didn't think alot of her but im sooo so grateful that u guys posted this it kinda filled the gap made them just a little more noticed and loved. I pray for pease over theyer family and that they would know that the lord is with them, helping them through it and I pray that they would not forget that although they may have left this earth they are still living in joy in heaven!

[@mjgbabydragonlet]

She really came into her Artistry with Dutch National Ballet. It is incredibly sad

[@balletreign]

She didddd she was so expressive and emotionally compelling ✨✨

[@deborah9431]

Beautiful tribute ladies 😊

[@ariettej4271]

Thank you for this video!! What a beautiful tribute. When I heard of her passing, I wanted to look online for some good examples of her work in some sort of compilation but didn’t feel like I could find anything decent. This video was perfect and I soooo love that you guys talked about more than just ballet and focused on her whole life in general. I’m not even in the ballet world and I feel the loss. Sending much love the the ballet world and her family 🕊️

[@Lampey22]

She had one of the greatest jumps in the ballet world. I am so glaf she chose ballet, as a hobby, as a job, as a lifestyle… She was such a strong young woman. I am so glad we had her.

[@BlackCanary87]

Thank you for posting this. I cried when I first saw the news, but I'm full on ugly-crying right now. Michaela was a remarkable artist, who brought so much to the world. I also really want to recognize Elaine, who truly spent her life fighting to make the world a better place. Elaine and her husband, Charles, had eleven children, of whom nine were adopted. Three of their adopted sons had hemophilia, and passed away from HIV acquired from infected blood products. They became leading advocates for people with hemophilia, and their activism helped pass new laws and protections for blood products that millions of people rely on. One way to honor their work and their memory is to donate blood, or, even better, platelets, if you are eligible. Charles passed away in 2020, during the pandemic. My heart aches for the DePrince family losing so many people.

[@annejarvis7002]

So heartbreaking. I am not a ballet dancer, but I read her book. What an incredible example of someone literally holding onto a dream (a picture of a ballerina). Michaela defied all the odds (& heartache of abuse & rejection) to become an inspirational guiding light as well as achieving her dream as a tour de fource ballerina. Much love to Michaela's loved ones & condolences for the loss of both Michaela and her precious Mother❤

[@NIAAESTHTIC]

This broke my heart I dressed up as a ballerina for Halloween and every year my primary school would hold a book parade and we would dress as a character from the book I used her auto biography as a ballet dancer myself this is so sad

[@balletreign]

Aww thanks for sharing that ✨ she will be dearly missed ❤️

[@NIAAESTHTIC]

@@balletreign 🫶🏽

[@tiffcat1100]

Awwwwww, how sad :( ❤

[@gloriouslyimperfect]

Her adoptive mother died within 24 hours of her passing as well. Feeling so much love for her siblings and the rest of her family.

[@balletreign]

So much love and support to all of them ❤️❤️

[@FishareFriendsNotFood972]

Wow, she lived fifty different lifetimes in her too short time on Earth. Hope her soul keeps smiling down on the ballet world.

[@balletreign]

She really did so much ✨❤️

[@LouisevonMontfort]

Her poor father, losing both his daughter and wife 😮. Praying for him 🙏🕊

[@Forrest.123]

this is so sad

[@balletreign]

They will be missed ❤️

[@UnicornRoseDust]

Im just wrecked and heartbroken😢

[@balletreign]

She is loved and missed ❤️

[@sofiasilva1154]

Lastimosamente, nunca conocí la obra de Michaela cuando aún seguía con viva. Ahora, solo podemos agradecer a Dios por haberle la vida que tuvo Michaela y a ella por ese legado de oro que dejo al mundo de ballet. Paz para sus restos y condolencias a sus familiares 🤍😔

[@ClaytonMortl]

If you're financially able to do so, one thing you can do to honor Michaela's legacy is to donate to War Child, the charity that she served as goodwill ambassador for from 2016 until her death. I would leave a link here to their website, but for some reason, KZbin keeps deleting this comment, so I won't risk it this time.

[@balletreign]

Thank you for sharing that ❤️ Def feel free to donate: www.warchild.net/ambassador-michaela-deprince/

[@BlackCanary87]

KZbin automatically deletes all comments with links, due to spam.

[@meganknipe4393]

❤❤❤

[@dennismcdermot647]

I knew of her, but never got to see her dance except in brief excerpts.

[@balletreign]

She was an exquisite person and dancer✨✨

[@charisepfahl7778]

I first time I saw her dance was in the movie, "First Position." If you haven't seen it you need to find a copy and watch.

[@soffyabad]

I do believe that dance helps so much, to heal any soul that was abuse. Her pain went straight to her skin, she should passed through a lot, no doubt. I would try to see more about her. That's a beatiful vídeo for her memory. May her and her Mother, rest in peace🌸🌻🌷

[@balletreign]

Dance is so powerful ❤️ may their names always be remembered ✨

[@suzannederringer1607]

What was the cause of her death? So tragic!

[@jade_littlebodybigfan]

This is beautiful. 🩷I remember her inspiring me so much with the power she had, and how sweet she was. An absolute angel who changed the world and will continue to.

[@natashadelelmo8204]

🙏🏻💜

[@ellenspear50]

So sad. After seeing First Position years ago, I've often wondered how she was doing and where she was dancing.

[@jms5752]

Her name is not Michaela. Her name is Mabinti Bongura and her parents were killed by rebels during Sierra Leone's Twelve Year Civil War. I admire her adoptive parents for taking this amazingly talented young girl into their homes but I am appalled at how they devastatingly changed her real name to their choosing. RIP Mabinti.

[@Danny-pd9yb]

How old is her when she died?

[@micheledix2616]

29 years old