'Coppelia' ballerina Michaela DePrince, who starred with Beyoncé and on 'DWTS,' dies at 29

Professional dancer Michaela DePrince, who captured hearts worldwide, has died at the age of 29.

The trailblazing ballerina was featured in the 2021 film “Copelia.” She also appeared on “Dancing with the Stars” during AT&T's 2012 Spotlight performance and Beyoncé's Emmy-nominated 2016 “Lemonade” musical film, according to NBC10 Philadelphia.

But his legacy goes beyond dance.

DePrince was an orphan who escaped violence during his traumatic childhood. She became a public figure in the ballet world and worked as a humanitarian for children affected by conflict and violence.

His tragic death was announced via his Instagram account on Friday, September 13; However, the cause of his death has not been revealed.

“Rest in strength: Ballerina Michaela Mabinti DePrince,” began the caption shared by her team.

“With pain in our hearts, we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinti DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired so many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet and beyond,” the announcement said.

“Her life was defined by grace, purpose and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian endeavors and her courage to overcome unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us.”

They wrote that DePrince “stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest places.”

“Although her time with us was all too brief, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all those touched by her story, for generations to come,” the statement continued. “Love and prayers go out to his chosen family, friends and all who loved him.”

The Post has reached out to representatives for DePrince, Beyoncé and “DWTS” for comment.

DePrince grew up in Sierra Leone, Africa and saw her first film of an American ballerina while in an orphanage.

In 2012, she told The Associated Press that she “wants to be this exact person.”

“I lost both my parents, so I was there (orphanage) for about a year and I wasn't treated very well because I had vitiligo,” she said. “We were ranked as numbers and number 27 was the least favorite and that was my number, so I got the least amount of food, the least amount of clothes and what not.”

De Prince shared that he walked for miles without shoes until he reached the refugee camp. She and two other girls were eventually adopted by a New Jersey couple, who enabled her to move to the United States at the age of 4.

She found comfort in dancing and attended the prestigious Rock School in Philadelphia for dance education, but encountered discrimination along the way.

When DePrince was rehearsing for “The Nutcracker” at age 8, someone told her, “I'm sorry, you can't do this. America is not ready for a black girl ballerina,” according to the Associated Press.

At age 9, a teacher told her mother, “I don't like paying black dancers because they grow up and end up with big breasts and big hips.”

He didn't let anything stop him from achieving his dreams.

DePrince graduated from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of American Ballet Theater and worked at the Dance Theater of Harlem, where she was the youngest principal dancer in the theater's history.

He danced around the world, joining the Dutch National Ballet in 2013 and the Dutch National Ballet Amsterdam's junior company in 2014.

DePrince opened the door to Hollywood when he starred in Beyoncé's musical film.

In 2016 the dancer released her memoir, “Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina.” The book prompted talks about a biopic with Madonna to direct

The Material Girl, who adopted four of her six children, spoke about DePrince's story.

“Michael's journey resonated deeply with me as an artist and an activist who understands adversity,” Madonna said at the time. “We have a unique opportunity to shine a light on Sierra Leone, and let Michaela be a voice for all the orphans who grew up next to her. I am honored to bring his story to life.”

In 2021, DePrince became the second soloist at Boston Ballet and landed the lead role in the 2021 ballet movie “Copelia”.