US EditionMisty Copeland broke barriers in ballet. Now she’s retiring and moving to ‘the next stage’
- Misty Copeland will give her final performance titled 'A Celebration Honoring Misty Copeland' on October 22, 2025, at Lincoln Center's David H. Koch Theater.
- In 2015, Copeland became the first African American woman to be named principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, and she later established a foundation to support dance education for children from underserved communities.
- The farewell includes performances by Copeland and others, speeches, tributes from honorary chairs Oprah Winfrey and Caroline Kennedy, and a Romeo and Juliet pas de deux.
- Copeland stated, "It's been 25 years at ABT, and I think it's time," and noted her body's changes after injuries and motherhood as reasons for retiring.
- Her exit creates a gap at ABT with no Black women holding the lead dancer position, yet she is moving forward by expanding her influence via her philanthropic initiatives, authorship, and creative ventures.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Ballet Icon Misty Copeland Announces Retirement After 25 Groundbreaking Years - Because of Them We Can
She’s stepping into her next act! Ten years ago, Misty Copeland sat before a room full of cameras and reporters, her voice trembling with emotion as she made history as the first Black female principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre’s (ABT) 75-year history. “This is it,” she said at the time. “This has been my dream since I was 13.” That historic moment was far from a routine promotion; it was a cultural shift that reverberated far beyond th…
Trailblazing Ballerina Misty Copeland's Final Performance Revealed After Retirement Announcement
Here’s everything you need to know about Copeland’s final performance after a five-year hiatusMichael Loccisano/Getty; Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Misty CopelandNEED TO KNOWMisty Copeland is saying goodbye to the stage with one final bowFollowing a five-year hiatus, Copeland will take the stage one final time on Oct. 22, marking her retirement at the David H. Koch Theater “It’s been 25 years at ABT, and I …
Associated Press News
Misty Copeland broke barriers in ballet. Now she’s retiring and moving to ‘the next stage’
Trailblazing ballerina Misty Copeland has decided to move on to what she calls “the next stage” in her career. Copeland broke barriers at American Ballet Theatre.
Misty Copeland Is Retiring From Ballet—But Wait Until You Hear What’s Next
Source: Hiroyuki Ito / Getty After 25 groundbreaking years with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Misty Copeland has officially announced her retirement as a principal dancer. This marks the end of a historic chapter in classical dance. Read more about her journey and where she will soar next. In a career defined by grace, grit, and game-changing firsts, Copeland shattered barriers when she became the first Black woman to be named a principal d…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 55% of the sources lean Left
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage
