SB Exclusive: Misty Copeland On Her New Tribeca Film Fest Documentary
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- April 22, 2015
Photo: Derrick Salters/WENNIf you don’t know by now, Misty Copeland is a force.
Defying the odds, Copeland has climbed the ranks of a predominantly white-based ballet world to land as a soloist with the prestigious American Ballet Theater (ABT) in New York City. She’s also recently danced lead roles, which means she could potentially be offered the title of principle dancer, making her the first African American in the company’s history.
As if that’s not enough, Copeland has helped changed perceptions by representing an alternative to the waif-like dancer, landed numerous endorsement deals (Under Amour commercial, anyone?) and inspired diversity initiatives.
Photo: Courtesy of Oskar Landi
Photo: Courtesy of Oskar Landi
But when Misty took the stage this week following A Ballerina’s Tale, a documentary on her life that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, it was all gratitude that she exuded. When asked about making the cover of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, Copeland stated that it was ballet, and not her, that made the cover.
A Ballerina’s Tale, directed by Nelson George, is an honest film that weaves a bit of Copeland’s childhood footage with her current struggles and triumphs and interviews with historians and African American pioneers of the dance world. The film is currently in the festival circuit but check back on the main site soon for screening updates.
Though Copeland was in the middle of a hectic week, she took a moment to talk to StyleBlazer.
On what she hopes viewers will take away from A Ballerina’s Tale?: “The beauty, struggle, grit and joy that ballet entails…. [and] the beautiful history of brown ballerinas.”
On the ballet world becoming more accepting of African American women, since her rise to prominence: “I think that the ballet world is now aware that the eyes of the world are on them, so yes, I think they are conscious of being more open.”
On the biggest misconception about ballet or ballet dancers: “That we are fragile little girls. That we aren’t hardcore athletes who go through so much physically, psychologically and emotionally.”
On becoming the poster-woman for a curvier, more athletic-looking dancer and how the message goes beyond the dance world: “I think for people to see a strong, athletic woman in one of the most typecasted fields in the arts succeed, it may change the way they feel about themselves being accepted and that beauty can be so many things.”
On her beauty rituals that she swears by for long days: “I don’t wear makeup on a regular basis since I’m sweating all day. [I drink] lots of water and I always wash my face before I go to bed. It’s pretty simple [laughs].”
On how she would describe her off-duty style: “I love clothes, so I’m open to trying different styles and trends. I’m not sure that I have one style… I love heels and dresses, but I also love a good skinny jean, leather jacket and a cute wedge sneaker.”
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