Misty Copeland gave her final performance and hung up her pointe shoes for the very last time. In celebration of the ballerina's career, see inside her trailblazing legacy.&nbsp;

Misty Copeland made history when she became the first African-American principal ballerina at The American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in 2015. She began her career in the ABT in 2000 and quickly became a trailblazer for Black <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/balletcore-lofficiel-archives" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ballerinas</a> through her persistence and progression within the company. As the first Black principal dancer, Copeland had to navigate microaggressions and stereotypes ingrained in the world of traditional ballet while also battling bleeding feet and sore muscles.&nbsp;
But, instead of letting the critics get to her, she became a voice and an example for aspiring dancers all over the country. After becoming a principal dancer, Copeland used her platform to speak out about issues of diversity and representation within the arts, making herself a living and breathing image of what Black and brown girls could be. She even created the Misty Copeland Foundation, which is dedicated to making dance more diverse and accessible.&nbsp;

Misty Copeland of American Ballet Theater performing in 'Giselle' in 2015. Getty Images.

Copeland gained international attention for her performances, even before she became a principal dancer. Her performances in ballets like The Firebird and Swan Lake, made her a figure that audiences simply could not look away from. Copeland quickly became known for her emotional depth, technical precision, and relatability that she brought into each <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/chanel-baand-together-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dance</a> she performed.&nbsp;
Copeland has also written multiple books, including Firebird, Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, Ballerina Body: Dancing and Eating, Bunheads, and Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy, each of which encourages young dancers to find their inner strength. Her magnetic performances in Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote, and Giselle are just a few ballets where Copeland has brought a main character to life through her electric, yet soft and romantic dance quality.&nbsp;

Misty Copeland posing with her book 'Ballerina Body.' Getty Images.

Misty Copeland performing at Black Girls Rock event. Getty Images.

Misty Copeland performing for the American Ballet Theatre. Getty Images.

However, one of Copeland&rsquo;s most impactful performances to date was her final on-stage appearance as she said farewell to ballet on Oct. 22, 2025. She returned to the stage after a five-year break and started her performance as Juliet, from Romeo and Juliet. She then closed out her performance by dancing the Sinatra Suite by Twyla Tharp. Her emotional goodbye to ballet was closed with a long standing ovation, a fitting emotional ending to Copeland&rsquo;s career.&nbsp;
Throughout her career, Copeland transcended the traditional limits of ballet by making the dance a more inclusive place for all kinds of performers and audiences. Though she has hung up her pointe shoes for the last time, Copeland will always remain an inspiration to dancers worldwide.&nbsp;&nbsp;

All The Moments Misty Copeland Made Ballet History Throughout Her Illustrious Career

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