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December 18th, 2014
10:28 PM ET
Ballerina Misty Copeland makes history
Audiences watching the American Ballet Theater’s ‘The Nutcracker’ this year are seeing something that has never happened before, an African-American ballerina is playing the role of Clara. Misty Copeland is a trailblazer and speaks to Randi Kaye about her struggles to find acceptance in the ballet world.
Thank you to STEPS on Broadway and the American Ballet Theatre for allowing us to film in their facilities.
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Post by: AC360 Filed under: Randi Kaye |
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This story made me sad and glad . I must be niave . I can not believe the color of ones skin has a thing to do with it. And now to start trouble . I like her butt!
Oh , pardon me.., high arched buttocks
Good for her, I didn't know black women could do ballet, since they have thicker thighs, and high arched buttocks.
Oh CNN...first of all, Misty is playing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy and NOT Clara. Clara is a role played by a 12 year old.
Also, she is NOT the first African American to play this principle lead role. Lauren Anderson of the Houston Ballet is the FIRST African American prima ballerina in the US. She played this role in 1990. Anderson danced in principle roles for over 20 years. She retired in 2006 and now teaches.
The American Ballet Theater and the Houston Ballet are not even close to being on the same level! The ABT performs at the Met in NYC!
The Houston Ballet is the fourth largest company in the country and has been invited to perform on the world's largest stages, including Moscow's Bolshoi.
Not everything outside of NYC is podunk.
Thank you!
So, wait... she's committed, works hard, overcomes life's obstacles, and she SUCCEEDED. AND SHE'S BLACK! See, that last part doesn't matter much if you ignore your political group leaders and do all those first parts. If there really WAS some big secret white conspiracy to thwart blacks, you don't think they could have stopped a little ballerina?
Great story. Misty Copeland is a beautiful strong dancer who serves as an even stronger role model to aspiring African American dancers.
As someone who has trained in ballet from a very young age , I too was told so many negative things about my body, like I was too shot , my legs were too fat etc. It is nice to see certain ballet companies admire the beauty, talent , and skill of the dancer , and not discriminate them because of their color or body "flaws "
http://www.staplemeknot.com
Congratulations to Misty Copeland. A great accomplishment.
Far less kudos to the journalists at CNN. Being the first soloist of color in the past 20 year is fantastic, but it is not historic. ABT is celebrating its 75th birthday. Anne Benna Sims and Nora Kimble both preceded Copeland as soloists at ABT. Why the need for a sensationalistic headline? Miss Copeland deserves tons of coverage and congratualtions. She does not deserve shoddy journalism/
As well as Lauren Anderson of Houston Ballet.
Wow! She is incredibly beautiful, athletic and graceful. She is a platonic ideal of the term 'lithe.' Stupendous!
Glad to see any and all positive stories about Misty Copeland. She is proof that our African-American girls can aspire to do well in the arts and move past obstacles with perseverance. I'd rather see her on TV than these obscene (fake) Reality TV shows.