'Unlikely ballerina' takes the stage

Called an "unlikely ballerina," Misty Copeland makes history as the American Ballet Theatre's first African American soloist.

[@emilydrobil3414]

She is amazing and she is an inspiration to everyone

[@y2kallday665]

Now she’s the most famous and reconganzible ballet figure 😍😍❤️

[@princessanneliese2525]

I wish I was as brave as her back when I was 13 years old. I also started taking ballet classes quite late. Definitely regret to not go to a professional ballet school. Now I'm 22 and still doing ballet in an amateur school. It's getting quite boring now that everyone is complaining all the time. I can't even do pointes anymore.

[@kimmmy3224]

Congratulations! It's never too late to open new doors for new opportunities. ..;-)

[@dmmchugh3714]

Not sure why there is such an issue: there are ballerinas of Asian, Indian, Latin descent in ballet - and in ABT.

[@hg2460]

sheesh. them claves on point

[@courtneythompson4007]

Misty I gave a book of u and read it all the time over and over . U really inspired me keep doing what ur Hart wants because ....... ........any one can be ant thing

[@thatlovelydancerIlao]

Her extreme amount of hard work paid off. So happy for my sistah

[@owenchuarbx]

Determination is key

[@blah7983]

It’s her body type more than her race that I think would keep her from companies.

[@kathleenvh]

Love love love

[@asanteakan70]

Why is every "first black" half white or Damn near white?

[@Juli-ri2zf]

yes, her skin is lighter than most blacks, but both of her parents are African American

[@bettesimmon9144]

That's not true, Michelle Obama is dark. Do your research or keep your mouth shut.

[@napperforlife2020]

@@Juli-ri2zf both of her parents are half black

[@dddrrdrtrt3275]

She worked hard.thats all that matter

[@asanteakan70]

Bette Simmon lol Michelle ? What she do ? Her husband got elected was half white that made her First Lady wtf are you talking about. You shut up.

[@turikumweemmanuel3512]

exlent Misty's dance

[@a.r.millender4651]

My ambitions as a provider Tell me dawg, what do you think of this?, Who's going to the window?

[@laurencebellest9969]

Well XXIst Century ..........at least 😳😳😳😳😳😳 Misty is fabulous 🙌🌟❤️

[@TheNova1960]

The reporter forgot to mention that young girls of all colors and that includes white girls have a difficult time trying to get accepted by the Ballet Companies!

[@verbaledge]

its easier to say its because of race though. better get on board or be labeled a racist lol...the media and rich white people love holding black people that do "white" things on their shoulders so they can try and say they aren't racist. like, "see we have one how could we be racist?" well, probably because you care so much. i'd be way more impressed if she was a break dancing ballerina myself because my sister teaches ballet and most of those girls could most likely dance circles around this chick, or at the least be just as good. no one will be holding them on their shoulders though

[@TheNova1960]

verbaledge What I don't understand is why she's claiming she's "black" when she is bi-racial? Clearly, she's a fantastic ballerina, but she's not the first bi-racial or black balerina! I remember going to L.A. to get onto Soul Train and because I was white I was turned away! All races are racist!

[@TheNova1960]

verbaledge If, King Obama and his Royal Subjects keep it up with allowing illegals a free pass it won't matter if you're black or white, but you will become the minority!

[@anastasian.m.8677]

😮❤

[@kareno7848]

NO! Watch some critique videos of her. She is not incredible. Gillian Murphy is incredible.

[@sarah78neidrich83]

She is incredible because of her sheer determination to succeed and shatter glass ceilings

[@shanehackett4683]

🙄

[@ivanmiller3826]

( The Most High ) GOD ✝️ 💙💙🌹

[@eightball8008]

the onlly thing unlikely about her was how old she was when she started.. damn ballet is such a racist fucking world. I can't believe it.

[@jewelmarkess]

Maybe, but contrary to what Misty said, her skin color didn't prevent her from getting promoted. She was promoted to a soloist relatively quickly, and as to the promotion to principal, at the time she was one of several very talented, very deserving soloists, none of whom were getting promoted because of ABT policy at the time of relying on guest artists at the expense of their own dancers who weren't getting opportunities. But Misty while talented was no better than Stella Abrera (who was promoted at the same time, who was a soloist for longer, and who has much better technique), Yuriko Kajiya (who left ABT because of lack of opportunities), Maria Ricetto (also left ABT), one other dancer I don't remember who also left ABT due to lack of opportunities at lead roles - all three or four soloists who left became principals elsewhere - or Sarah Lane who only got promoted this year. Look at ABT history of promotion and you'll see hardly any promotions to principal during that time. There were only two - tall female dancers replacing tall female dancers who left, the height is important because when a tall dancer leaves, they want another tall dancer to partner with the same male partner. They tend to take partnership into consideration during promotions. But none of other no less deserving soloists were getting promoted either.