People & Blogs
How ballerina Misty Copeland transformed adversity into legacy #TEDTalks
How did Misty Copeland break barriers and become one of the world’s most famous ballerinas? In this powerful talk, she charts her rise from childhood adversity to history-making dancer at the prestigious American Ballet Theatre — and gives a peek at what she plans to do next.
@ricardobien_aime4957
December 10, 2025 at 4:02 pm
That’s sounds incredible ❤❤❤
@vesawuoristo4162
December 10, 2025 at 4:15 pm
😊
@Tj930
December 10, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Africa is proud
@Tj930
December 11, 2025 at 3:00 am
DEI
@icosmomiller6861
December 10, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Fantastic 😍 You’re a real trailblazer!
@georginaasamoah
December 10, 2025 at 4:50 pm
So uplifting 😘❤🙏
@philfindspeace
December 10, 2025 at 5:07 pm
We love you
@PoppyOnPoppy
December 10, 2025 at 5:23 pm
❤️❤️❤️
@caraboska
December 10, 2025 at 7:22 pm
They were idiots. There were ways to make it work. But Misty had her revenge ❤
@brentkinneberg8244
December 10, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Even though far too slow, truth and fairness will prevail.
@KaylaSwartz
December 12, 2025 at 8:57 am
And still she is world famous rich and celebrated must of not been that hard for you
@coutureleotards
December 10, 2025 at 10:04 pm
Michael Jordan said “when your chasing a dream, you often dont accomplish the original goal”. Basketball was “bestowed” upon him, because he put so much work into baseball! Misty started ballet at 13, which is unheard of with her success. If you have a chance I would recommend looking up her background. I guarantee her hard work and dedication is what allowed the scared to have courage and put her front and center. Many black girls missed plenty lead roles, including me. This was the narritive for all of us ” people won’t buy tickets to see a black lead”. Eventually her ability to deliver the technique, the poise and the courage to defend herself…..made a company who we all dreamed of being apart, take a huge chance on her! Swan lake is extremely difficult and only the strongest dancers survive, she NAILED IT! DTH, while a prominent company to dance for, it can’t be the only place where brown ballerinas who are exceptional are welcomed. Entertainment is one industry that still suffers from our ugliest vestiges of America. BLACK BALLERINAS HAVE MAGIC TOO, MISTY SOLD TICKETS! I was honored to be in the audience several times to see her in person. Thank you MISTY for being a force of change, kind and a voice for the old and new brown ballerinas ❤Peace
@amgirl4286
December 11, 2025 at 12:21 am
Ok…
@d.desrosier7856
December 11, 2025 at 3:37 am
Legends.❤
@RuthWagstaff
December 11, 2025 at 5:54 am
I feel stung by the comment about Misty’s skin colour. I resonate with her comment that resilience was the silence of returning the next day even though she was heartbroken. The final blast of receiving flowers from one steeped in the art form is moving. This does not close the gap or heal the wound but is a sign that life can change for the better. Let’s keep on stamping out racism and all discrimination and make the world a better place for everyone.
@xriot1752
December 11, 2025 at 9:41 am
I mean they wouldn’t be wrong, not like that’s a racist thing to say. If they are going to uniformity of color, white skin with white clothing makes sense. Same if all the actors were brown, a white person would stand out like a sore thumb and it “disrupt the aesthetic”
@elizabethcheadle1985
December 11, 2025 at 2:38 pm
I understand what you’re trying to say, but framing it as “not racist” ignores the actual issue Misty Copeland was speaking about. The problem wasn’t just aesthetic uniformity, it was that dancers of colour were historically excluded because companies chose costumes, makeup, and even lighting that only worked for white performers.
Saying someone “stands out” because of their skin colour is exactly the kind of thinking that kept (and still keeps) talented artists from opportunities. Instead of expecting dancers to fit a narrow visual standard, companies can easily adapt costumes or design choices so that everyone is included.
It’s not about disrupting the aesthetic, it’s about challenging an aesthetic that was built to exclude in the first place. I care less about the ‘aesthetic’ and more about inclusion.
@RabiulIslam-yw4xb
December 11, 2025 at 11:09 am
I literally explain your life must be Superb and also i respect your struggle ❤.
@sethstewart2793
December 12, 2025 at 12:11 am
Let’s change the world
@theck672
December 12, 2025 at 5:06 am
We love and admire you❣️
@KaylaSwartz
December 12, 2025 at 8:57 am
Yuck I hate her boohoo poor me face
@AnneMoshtael
December 12, 2025 at 8:21 pm
Pure courage and grace