Misty Copeland is first black dancer to lead US ballet group

 

The American Ballet Theatre has named Misty Copeland its principal dancer - the first time a black ballerina has held the prestigious role

Misty Copeland(32) made her debut this month, starring in Swan Lake in New York, one of the most coveted roles in ballet.

In recent years, Misty Copeland has found fame outside of the ballet world.

Misty Copeland has appeared in commercials and TV shows and wrote a best-selling memoir.

 

"We haven't had a ballet dancer who has broken through to popular culture like this since Mikhail Baryshnikov," said Wendy Perron, an author and former editor of Dance Magazine.