The ballet world is mourning the death of Dancing with the Stars’ Michaela Mabinty DePrince, an inspirational ballerina who beat staggering odds to become one of the world’s most famous dancers.
Michaela, an orphan from war-torn Sierra Leone, was a dancer with the Boston Ballet who gained widespread notoriety after starring in the 2011 documentary First Position. She died September 10 at only 29.
Adding to the family’s tragic loss, Michaela’s adoptive mom – who rescued Michaela from the filthy shelter where she was told she was “too ugly” to find a family – died only 24 hours later.
After her father was brutally killed in war-torn Sierra Leone and her mother died from fever, four-year-old Michaela Mabinty DePrince was abandoned by her uncle in a shelter where staff every day tried to break her spirit.
Known then as “Number 27” a young Michaela had little hope of finding a family as she had vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigmentation.
The young girl, called “the devil child” because of her patchy skin, was told repeatedly that she was too ugly to be picked.
“We were all ranked from the most favored to the least, and I was at the very bottom for being rebellious and having a skin condition called vitiligo, which produces white freckles on my neck and chest,” Michaela said, adding she slept on a grass sleeping mat with “Number 26.”
Aside from the vomit-stained nightgown she was wearing, all she had was a magazine, which according to Glamour had (literally) blown onto her face. And on the cover was a ballerina en pointe – a dancer supporting all her body weight on the tips of her toes.
“The dancer looked beautiful and happy, that’s what caught my eye,” Michaela tells Glamour. “I wanted to be happy.”
And the crumpled old photo of the ballerina was the first thing she handed Elaine DePrince, who took her to her new home in New Jersey.
“There was so much love right away,” said Michaela, who over the next two decades would be the prima ballerina on the cover of magazines. “I had never been surrounded by something like that.”
‘My life is proof’
Michaela’s passion for dancing was ignited at a young age, and she pursued her dreams with remarkable dedication.
In 2011, Michaela became one of the stars of First Position, a documentary that followed six gifted dancers leading up to the competition for a place in the prestigious American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet (JKO)
She not only earned a spot but was also awarded a scholarship to study at JKO.
The same year the award-winning documentary was released, Michaela also appeared on Dancing with the Stars.
“My life is proof that no matter what situation you’re in, as long as you have a supportive family, you can achieve anything,” Michaela said.
In 2012, the talented ballerina joined the renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem, where she continued to shine as a rising star. Her exceptional talent and grace later led her to the Dutch National Ballet, where the War Child Ambassador further established herself as a formidable presence in the ballet world.
While she was living in Amsterdam and training for The Nutcracker, she received a call, inviting her to travel to New Orleans and dance in Beyonce’s hour-long video, Lemonade, which was released in 2016.
Speaking with the Wall Street Journal of meeting the pop sensation, Michaela said, “She walked up to me and said, ‘It’s such an honor to have you here.’ I was really cheesy and said, ‘The honor is mine.’ I was on cloud nine.”
‘Beacon of hope’
On September 10, her family released a heartbreaking message about the principal soloist with the Boston Ballet.
“Rest in Power,” the post starts about the dancer who died on September 10. “With pain in our hearts, we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet, and beyond.”
The Facebook post describes Michaela as an inspiration who “stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places.”
The cause of her death has not yet been released.
Mom ‘spared the pain’
Only 24 hours after Michaela’s sudden death, her doting adoptive mom Elaine DePrince died on September 11 “during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery.”
A family statement on Facebook explains that at the time of Elaine’s death, she was unaware that her daughter had died.
“As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated. The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child.” The message continues, “What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24-hour period is tragic and devastating. We continue to ask for privacy…”
Rest in peace Michaela and Elaine. Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can all send a lot of love to the family and friends of this mother-daughter duo.
“1000-Lb Sisters” Star Flaunts 176-Lb Weight Loss and Proves Anything Is Possible
Amy Slaton, known from the show 1000-Lb Sisters, has amazed her fans by losing an incredible 176 pounds (79.8 kg). At 36 years old, Amy proudly showed off her new look on TikTok, wearing a strapless black dress. Let’s dive into her motivating journey.
Amy has been in the spotlight for a long time.
Amy was born in Dixon, Kentucky. She has four siblings, one of whom is Tammy Slaton. Tammy is her partner in crime on the show 1000-Lb Sisters.
Amy and Tammy’s combined weight was a thousand pounds (453 kg) in the first season. This brought them into the spotlight as fans watched their journey to lose weight and improve their health. Both sisters underwent weight-loss surgery to help them become slimmer and healthier.
She overcame both emotional and physical challenges.
Amy has faced significant relationship challenges. She was previously married to Michael Halterman. They had two sons together, Gage and Glenn. Their relationship began when they were both in high school. The couple separated less than a year after their second child was born. This breakup marked a pivotal point in Amy’s life, leading to personal growth and new relationships.
Amy has a disability due to her legal blindness. She has a rare eye condition called toxoplasmosis. But Amy has not let it stop her from pursuing success.
Her fans keep supporting her.
Despite her challenges, Amy has received overwhelming support from her fans. When she shared her recent breakup with her boyfriend, fans flooded her TikTok comments with messages of encouragement. Amy responded gratefully to them.
She thanked everyone and admitted that it had been a rough few days. But she isn’t crying over spilled milk.
Amy is focusing on her overall health.
Amy’s journey isn’t just about her relationships. In December 2023, she gave an exclusive interview about prioritizing her mental health and parenting over weight loss. This decision came after her split from Michael and her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Amy emphasized the importance of a supportive environment for her family’s happiness and growth.
Before revealing her latest weight loss, Amy shared deep reflections on her emotional strength. She shared she doesn’t wish to surround herself with those who bring her down. She added she gets hurt but doesn’t let that hold her back.
A stunning transformation.
Amy has amazed her fans by losing an incredible 176 pounds (79kg). Amy had bariatric surgery, which helped her lose a total of 136 pounds (61kg) initially. She proudly showed off her new look on TikTok, wearing a strapless black dress with bows. Her transformation is a testament to her resilience and determination.
In her TikTok post, Amy wrote a caption that mixed vulnerability with celebration. She said she was “serving body baby with a dash of low self-esteem, but doing the thing.” This update came during a tough time in her life, as she was dealing with heartbreak.
Amy’s sister Tammy also went through a wonderful transformation. Read about her story here.
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