Michaela DePrince was fortunate enough to escape her home country of war-torn Sierra Leone, West Africa, when she was adopted at the age of four by Elaine and Charles DePrince. Her parents enrolled her in swimming and dance classes, but ever since seeing a picture of a ballerina when she was living at the orphanage, she had wanted to study ballet. She is now, at the young age of 20, an international ballet superstar who has danced with the Dutch National Ballet, the Dance Theatre of Harlem, in Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” music video, and on Broadway.
Michaela’s biography Taking Flight is emblematic of the American can-do spirit. Check out her inspiring story, listen to her talk about her past or watch her beautiful dance style in these videos:
- Listen to Michaela discuss her life in this TEDx video.
- Michaela dances solo at the 2015 Women of the World conference.
- Michaela discusses the magazine cover that changed her life.
RML Teens 