Piano Prodigy Jude Kofie to Headline Project Harmony’s 30th Anniversary Gala
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United States Misty Copeland is a pioneering ballet dancer and author, recognized for her groundbreaking achievements in classical ballet and her advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the arts. She has made historic contributions to the American Ballet Theatre and continues to inspire global audiences.
Copeland has landed partnership after partnership with brands like Oikos yogurt.
Copeland has landed partnership after partnership with brands like watchmaker Seiko USA. She also became a brand ambassador for Seiko in 2015.
From 2014 to 2019, Copeland shook up the industry with an unprecedented sponsorship deal with Under Armour. "That was already a huge step," says Copeland. She became a sponsored athlete for Under Armour in 2014, which paid her more than her ballet career. Her Under Armour women-focused ad campaign was widely publicized, and resulted in her being named an ABC World News Person of the week.
Misty Copeland is famously associated with Puma; in a new partnership, the dancers of New York City Ballet will have their active wear sponsored by PUMA.
Estée Lauder announced Copeland would be the new face of its brand. This deal was considered groundbreaking because cosmetics companies rarely employed spokespersons other than models.
Copeland was featured in T-Mobile's ads for the BlackBerry in 2010.
She was also featured in an ad for Dr Pepper in 2013.
In 2013, she represented Coach, Inc. and became a spokesperson for Project Plié.
In 2016, Mattel created a Misty Copeland Barbie doll.
In 2021, she was engaged by Ford to promote the Mustang Mach-E online.
Misty Danielle Copeland was born on September 10, 1982, in Kansas City, Missouri, and grew up in San Pedro, California. Despite not beginning ballet training until the age of 13, she quickly emerged as a prodigy. After only three months of study, she was dancing en pointe, an extraordinary feat for a classical dancer. Her early talent was recognized with the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Award in 1997 as the best dancer in Southern California. She went on to attend summer workshops at prominent institutions like the San Francisco Ballet School before joining American Ballet Theatre (ABT).
Copeland became a member of ABT’s Studio Company in 2000 and joined its Corps de Ballet in 2001. She was promoted to soloist in 2007, an achievement that made her a prominent figure in the ballet world as one of the few African American women in such a position. Her career at ABT was marked by sustained excellence and a deep artistic development, leading to significant roles in classical and contemporary ballets. Her performances were consistently met with critical acclaim, noted for their technical precision and emotional depth, even as she navigated discussions around body image and racial representation within ballet.
On June 30, 2015, Misty Copeland made history by becoming the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in ABT’s then 75-year history. This monumental achievement not only solidified her status as a global icon in dance but also shattered barriers and inspired countless aspiring dancers worldwide. Throughout her career, Copeland has also extended her influence beyond the stage, becoming a public speaker, author of multiple books, and a celebrity spokesperson, using her platform to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts. She retired from ABT in 2025 following a distinguished career.
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