Misty Copeland’s Triumphant Story Detailed in ‘A Ballerina’s Tale’
Misty Copeland is the subject of a new documentary that tells of her rise to dan
— -- Iconic ballerina Misty Copeland is the subject of a new documentary that tells of her history-making rise to dance greatness.
"A Ballerina's Tale," by filmmaker Nelson George, gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Copeland overcame a tumultuous upbringing and near career-ending injuries to become one of the most revered dancers of her generation.
"When I met Nelson I was performing and dealing with this injury, but haven’t yet realized the severity of it," Copeland told Robin Roberts on “Good Morning America” today. "So he captured that entire journey of me getting back onto the stage, which is so common as a dancer.
"But I also felt like this was an opportunity and a platform for me to share and educate people on African American ballerinas that have existed for generations and generations." Copeland is one of six children raised by a single mother who often struggled to feed her family. She started dancing at age 13 -- without the foundation of childhood training -- and said she was often told she was "too muscular" and "too short” to be a ballerina.
Within two years of beginning ballet, she was winning dance competitions. And just four years after her very first class, Copeland landed a spot with the American Ballet Theatre, one of the most prestigious companies in the world.
For 10 years, Copeland was the only African-American ballerina at the ABT. On July 1, she was named the first African-American principal dancer in the company’s 75-year history. The documentary, "A Ballerina's Tale," will also feature exclusive, unseen footage of Copeland performing as well as themes of race and body image in the ballet.
"I think something that people that are getting an opportunity to see this film that don’t know a lot about the [sic] ballet world to see how difficult it is to exists period, but to exist when you're a minority," Copeland said. "It was important for me to be that voice for so many people and say 'It’s okay to be different and you can still succeed."
The film will debut in select theaters Oct. 14.
