Michaela DePrince: From Sierra Leone Orphan to Boston Ballet Star
- Michaela DePrince found a Dance Magazine in her orphanage in Sierra Leone, which inspired her love for ballet.
- She lived in a harsh environment where children were ranked by favoritism, affecting their access to basic needs.
- Her journey from a war-torn orphanage to becoming a renowned ballerina highlights her resilience and passion.
In Sierra Leone, a war-torn country, a four-year-old girl named Michaela DePrince discovered a 1979 issue of Dance Magazine that had become trapped in the gates of her orphanage. Captivated by the image of a ballerina on the cover, she took the magazine for safekeeping, as she had no other possessions. Living in an orphanage with 27 other children, DePrince faced harsh conditions, where favoritism determined access to food and clothing. Born with vitiligo, she was often marginalized, yet her passion for ballet ignited a dream that transcended her difficult circumstances. Michaela's journey from the orphanage to becoming a celebrated ballerina, including her time with the Boston Ballet, serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and determination in the face of adversity.