Even today, Black ballerinas don’t get enough respect. While African-American women may have been praised for their dominant impact in urban dance, their talent goes beyond the bounds of TikTok trends and club phenomena. Let’s get into these powerhouse ladies who’ve frolicked their way to the pinnacle of the industry. Here are Black Ballerinas you should know!
In its truest form, ballet is purely art. The theatrical choreography was introduced amid the Italian Renaissance in the fifteenth century and derived from the Italian word ballare, which means “to dance.” According to the online encyclopedia Britannica, its history is rooted in court entertainment—royal festivities among noblemen and women during that era.
Ultimately, with the help of Catherine de’ Medici (Queen of France), the formal technique became a staple in French culture, setting the foundation for its now centuries-long, global influence. Over time, ballet variations evolved, as the most well-known styles are classical, romantic, neoclassical, and contemporary. Early performers wore ornate costumes, which were far more lavish than the leotards, tights, and feathered tutus we see today.
In 2025, ballet is still flourishing on a more professional scale. What once started as a parade-like movement has become a well-practiced, beautiful performance celebrated for its silent, emotion-driven storytelling. Black ballerinas have been a part of the ballet world since the beginning, but weren’t included on a mainstream level. Whether they’re advocating for change or self-expression, in modern day, more and more melanated dancers are taking up space and ensuring they’re seen and heard in a field that hasn’t always allowed them to.
From body-type discrimination to oversaturation, several microaggressions have long pulled at the confidence of many. However, despite the odds, these Principal ballerinas have (effortlessly) used their undeniable talent and platform to rise to the occasion and take hold of the reins.
The Leading Black Ballerinas You Should Know About
1. Michaela DePrince
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The incomparable Michaela DePrince inspired the world by owning her struggle with vitiligo (a chronic autoimmune illness that causes areas of the skin to lose pigment) when she hit the dance scene in 2011. The West African native’s unapologetic way of embracing her skin condition proved that the industry’s beauty standards didn’t define her and instead influenced fellow dancers to create and love their own. A pivotal point in DePrince’s career came during a now-viral 2014 TED Talk episode, where she rejected society norms and candidly spoke on her journey.
Contrary to the hardships she faced because of vitiligo, it did not stop her from striving to be on pointe and garnering many accolades throughout her run. In 2012, she became the youngest principal ballerina at the Dance Theater of Harlem, setting the foundation for her powerful tenure as a professional with the Dutch National Ballet from 2013 to 2020. In 2021, the accomplished figure joined the Boston Ballet. Unfortunately, DePrince passed away in 2024, but her legacy lives on.
2. Chyrstyn Fentroy
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After graduating from the Joffrey Ballet, Chyrstyn Fentroy spent time at the Dance Theatre of Harlem before (reportedly) becoming a principal dancer under the guidance of ballet phenomenon Virginia Johnson. She was the first Black woman to join the Boston Ballet in a decade when the company welcomed her in 2017. Her soloist crown came in 2019.
Throughout her career, Fentroy has been super transparent about her struggles as a Black ballerina. In 2020, she penned an essay for Pointe Magazine titled “My Experience as a Black Ballerina in a World of Implicit Bias.”
“The ballet world is full of it. It took me years to see it. Why were the same three places—Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Houston Ballet—always mentioned to me when people recommended where to dance?” she wrote when speaking of her early days as a promising dancer. “Eventually it dawned on me that while two of these are well-known as historically Black companies, all three organizations had been known to have women of color at the forefront: Virginia Johnson, Judith Jamison, Lauren Anderson.”
“The ballet world, with its Eurocentric history of extreme racial discrimination and elitism, is no exception to this. ‘You don’t have the right body type for ballet, you couldn’t possibly dance there because there are no others like you, powder your skin lighter so you blend in, you’re so good at contemporary,'” she added elsewhere in the piece. “And also, the whispers behind our backs: ‘They have to be featured because they’re the only Black person.’ All of this amounts to the realization that no matter what work you put in, your dancing will always be overshadowed by your skin color.”
Despite those challenges, Fentroy’s expressive armwork and strong pointe made magic with classical movements that have captivated several audiences. Her talents are now noticed among the greats of the dance genre.
3. Precious Adams
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Precious Adams has garnered principal roles with the English National Ballet and is currently a soloist with the company. The Michigander is known for her keen ability to attack complex choreography with grace, breathtaking extensions, and excellent versatility. However, while she’s a fan favorite, Adams hasn’t had the easiest ballet breakthrough.
Amid her time at Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet Academy, she (reportedly) experienced racial discrimination. Per The Moscow Times, while being surveyed in a line of other ballerinas at the school, an instructor questioned the then-18-year-old’s attendance and quickly told her to leave the audition room. The 2013 article furthered, “In her more than two years at the academy, Adams has been left out of performances because of the color of her skin, she says, and has been told to ‘try and rub the Black off’ to make herself look more like what directors want.'”
Although she felt forced to conform to specific physical expectations and isolated, Adams has since used her platform to speak out against racial injustice in hopes of continuing the conversation to change the narrative on how Black women are viewed in ballet.
4. Ingrid Silva
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Ingrid Silva is a principal dancer at the Dance Theater of Harlem. The Brazilian beauty is celebrated for merging the rhythm and soul of her home country with classical ballet. Silva became an apprentice with dance theatre company Grupo Corpo at the tender age of 17. After relocating to New York City, she went on to join DTH permanently in 2012.
Silva is not only an artist but also an advocate for inclusivity. She is the founder of podHER, a Latina-run organization dedicated to helping women embrace their feminine power and setting the dialogue for surrounding it. Additionally, Silva co-runs Blacks In Ballet and Dancers & Motherhood. Although two separate collectives, they each have the common mission to promote diversity within the dance community through workshops, mentorship programs, and other resources for minorities and mothers across the globe.
5. Misty Copeland
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In 2015, Misty Copeland earned the title of the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal status in the American Ballet Theater’s 75-year history. Today, the Missouri breed is one of the leading dancers in the industry. Copeland’s technique is undeniable, and her passionate performances are world-renowned. Having officially started in ballet at only 13 years old, she joined the ABT Studio Company in 2000 and became a member of Corps de ballet the following year before performing in Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty.
After making waves in dance, Copeland’s solo appointment would come in 2007, and it proved that she was a stand-out star, for sure. With over two decades of ballet success under her belt, Copeland is recognized as one of the most influential ballerinas in the game. Her devotion to revolutionizing the field and bringing diversity to the arts has made her a class act. Copeland’s main goal has been to break down systematic walls that often put a halt to future ballerinas’ careers.
She is the CEO of The Misty Copeland Foundation, a nonprofit initiative aiming to impact the lives of up-and-coming dancers through providing “diversity, equity, and inclusion-based” programs.
Copeland, Silva, Adams, Fentroy, and DePrince have achieved great victories as principal ballerinas. The awards and notoriety speak volumes to the blood, sweat, and tears they have poured into their artistry. Ballet is an art of passion and fluidity, and all should feel welcomed and not shunned. It’s safe to say… these queens are staying on pointe with that!
Which of these Black ballerinas would you buy a front-row ticket to see? Let us know in the comments below!
