"Misty Copeland hangs up her pointe shoes Wednesday, putting a final exclamation point on a trailblazing career in which she became an ambassador for diversity in the very white world of ballet - and a crossover star far beyond."
"You know, I've become the person that I am today, and have all the opportunities I have today, because of ballet, (and) because of American Ballet Theatre. I feel like this is me saying 'thank you' to the company. So it's a farewell. (But) it won't be the end of me dancing. ... Never say never."
"But Copeland decided to dust off the pointe shoes so she could have one last spin on the ABT stage - including a duet as Juliet, one of the most passionate roles in ballet. Though she has not closed the door on dancing altogether, it's clear an era is ending."
Misty Copeland retires after 25 years with American Ballet Theatre and will be honored with a gala devoted to her retirement. She became the first Black female principal dancer in ABT's 75-year history a decade ago. She returns to the ABT stage for the first time in five years to perform a final duet as Juliet. She spent recent years raising a young son with her husband while continuing authorship, releasing the second Bunheads volume in September. She leads a foundation that advances diversity in dance, including the "Be Bold" afterschool program for children of color. She frames the retirement as a thank-you to ballet and ABT while leaving open the possibility of future performances.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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