RIP: In Memoriam Thread

[janea4old]

Thank you for posting the Michaela dePrince dance videos.  Truly talented and inspiring!

[janea4old]

[All My Shadows]

Absolutely. I was listening to Silky Soul, their tribute to Marvin Gaye, last night, and it’s just so fitting because now it’s just as much a tribute to Frankie.

Frankie Beverly is like the male counterpart to Betty Wright, imo. The people who know just know.

[Liberty City]

 

[DramatistDreamer]

There are reports of a suspected heart attack. This is so sad. Tito Jackson was still touring and performing with his surviving brothers. Tito’s guitar skills have been sublime and underrated since Jackson 5 days. R.I.P. Tito and condolences to the Jackson family. This is a blow, for sure.

We Love You Pops’: Tito Jackson’s Sons Lead Tributes to Late Jackson 5 Legend
 

[Faulkner]

Been a rough couple of weeks with deaths of Black celebrities who have inspired so many, from James Earl Jones, who lived a long life yet felt immortal, to Frankie Beverly, who was so beloved in the Black community, to the unbelievably shocking passings of Fatman Scoop (after collapsing at a performance), Rich Homie Quan (at 34), and Michaela DePrince (just 29 and at the same time as her adoptive mother?!!) and now Tito Jackson, who was such a key figure in that family’s story. 

Very depressing.

[janea4old]

Statement on the michaeladeprince instagram account
(This is the original statement from her team, a bio, and then an edit to include an update from the family)
_{https://www.instagram.com/p/C_3WuKCxYQM/}

Rest in Power: Ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince

With pain in our hearts, we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet, and beyond. 

Her life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us. She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places.

Though her time with us was far too brief, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were touched by her story, for generations to come. Love and prayers go to her chosen family, friends, and those who loved her. 

Sincerely,
Team MDP

— 

Michaela Mabinty DePrince made history as the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem, before moving to the Netherlands to dance with the Dutch National Ballet. Her career progressed at Boston Ballet upon her return to the United States, where she continued captivating audiences with her performances.

Through her memoir, Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, DePrince shared her inspiring journey of resilience and triumph, which has been translated into multiple languages and published in twelve countries. Her follow-up book, Ballet Dreams, further solidified her impact, extending her influence far beyond the stage.

DePrince was also a dedicated humanitarian, advocating for children affected by conflict and violence. She served as an Ambassador for War Child Holland and hosted her gala, Dare to Dream, dedicated to promoting the well-being and mental health of children living in war zones. 

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Portrait by Wikkie Hermkens

OFFICIAL FAMILY STATEMENT UPDATE 9/14/24

Thank you to everyone for your outpouring of support in response to Michaela’s passing, as well as those in the press who have reached out directly to the family for statements. The entire family is so grateful and comforted by your support.

There has been a great deal of speculation online so the family would like to officially set the record straight about a few things. The last few days have been even more difficult than most people realize because the family has also been dealing with the death of Michaela’s adoptive mother Elaine DePrince.

Michaela passed away on September 10th, not the 13th as some places have reported. Her mother Elaine died during a routine procedure in preparation for a surgery on September 11th. Michaela died before Elaine and Elaine did not know of Michaela’s passing at the time of her procedure. As unbelievable as it may seem, the two deaths were completely unrelated. The only way we can make sense of the senseless is that Elaine, who had already lost three children many years ago, was by the grace of God spared the pain of experiencing the loss of a fourth child.

What the family is going through right now is truly unimaginably painful. Grieving two family members who died within a 24 hour period is tragic and devastating. We continue to ask for privacy and appreciate you directing anyone sharing incorrect information and speculation to this post.

Please continue to direct all press inquires and words of support for the family to Jess Volinski, the family spokesperson, via email at [email protected]

Thank you

_______________________________

Edited September 16, 2024 by janea4old

[janea4old]

Biography of Elaine DePrince, the adoptive mother of Michaela Mabinty DePrince.
She passed away the day after her daughter, without knowing her daughter had passed.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_DePrince

more here:
https://dailyvoice.com/pa/drexel-hill-upper-darby/late-pa-ballerina-michaela-deprince-lost-mom-2-days-before-she-died/

"the lengths Black dancers had to go to match their tights, shoes, and mesh of costumes to their skin tones was unknown — Elaine explained she made and altered all of Michaela's performance outfits to customize her daughter's looks to match her perfectly."

On the IG post on Michaela's account, someone commented about Elaine hand-dyeing Michaela's shoes.

Edited September 16, 2024 by janea4old

[janea4old]

from the IG of "mistyonpointe" (Misty Copeland, Black prima ballerina)
https://www.instagram.com/p/C_3zI3sxA32/

Misty posted a video of Michaela and a statement
(if you don't see the video, click on the image to play)
 

 

mistyonpointe

Rest in power, @michaeladeprince. I am devastated by this news.

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I want to share a shortened excerpt about Michaela from my book, Black Ballerinas:

Michaela was a one-of-a-kind dancer with the most remarkable journey. She was born during Sierra Leone’s civil war, and after losing both of her parents, she was placed in an orphanage before being adopted by a family in the US.

Her love of ballet was inspired when she saw a ballerina on a magazine cover she found as a child. Despite being told the “world wasn’t ready for Black ballerinas” or that “Black ballerinas weren’t worth investing money in,” she remained determined, focused, and began making big strides.

At 15 years old, she starred in the documentary First Position, which followed her as she prepared for a prestigious ballet competition. Her win earned her a spot in ABT’s JKO School on scholarship, where I immediately took her under my wing. She was a prodigious talent and the first darker-skinned dancer I witnessed come through the program. Colorism is without a doubt an issue in the professional ballet world, and her vitiligo differentiated her aesthetic even further.

As audition season ended, I was shocked that she didn’t receive a company contract, as she was the brightest star to come out of the school. So I asked Dance Theatre of Harlem to take a look at her talent. They agreed, and she made history as the youngest dancer in DTH history.

After her year at DTH and a tour abroad, her trajectory outside the ballet world began to skyrocket: she wrote a memoir, was featured in Beyoncé’s Lemonade visual album, starred in the film Coppélia, and served as a brand spokesperson for several major brands.

Michaela had so much more to give, not just to ballet, but to the world. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations of dancers, but her absence leaves a void that will be felt deeply. The ballet world, and all those whose lives she touched, will miss her profoundly. She was a bright light, and her impact will never be forgotten.  

-------------------

Edited September 16, 2024 by janea4old

[j swift]

The annual social media outcry of people not included in the Emmys In-Memoriam segment has begun, and this year includes Tyler Christopher and Johnny Wactor.

Of course, neither were members of the academy, and it would hardly be considered a snub to miss out on being sung to by Jellyroll.  But, the social media world has got to be mad about something.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/shelley-duvall-in-memoriam-2024-emmys-left-out-1236003587/?taid=66e81dc68d05fb00017bf564&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=threads

It remains my least favorite form of protest, because it means nothing, and it is just clickbait based on some random tweets.

Edited September 16, 2024 by j swift

[DramatistDreamer]

This obituary by The New York Times offers a bit more detail on Michaela DePrince’s life, especially the last few years, which included a no doubt very painful rupture of her Achilles heel, the death of her adoptive father, a surprising move back to the U.S. (because it essentially  involved taking a lower status role as 2nd soloist, leaving behind a first soloist position) due to her adoptive father’s illness. There seemed to have been the occurrence a lot of personal and emotional upheaval. It’s not clear if there is any connection to what seems to be her untimely death but it really seems to add to a life of triumph, pathos, perseverance and determination over tragedy.

Michaela DePrince, War Orphan Turned Leading Ballerina, Dies at 29

[janea4old]

Michaela DePrince youtube channel, with videos she personally made as a vlog, with a series made from 2017-2019, telling about several things, including her injury and her recovery from that. Some dance, choreography. Some fun stuff, photoshoots. She talks about reaching out to war children in the Middle East, and in Uganda.  She talks about getting therapy for PTSD from her childhood trauma.
https://www.youtube.com/@michaeladeprince9270/videos

Edited September 17, 2024 by janea4old

[janea4old]

Michaela Mabinty DePrince's speech at the War Child event in the Netherlands
 

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Edited September 17, 2024 by janea4old

[DRW50]

I don't see it as protest as much as people who are put off that a platform that claims to want to remember and honor doesn't seem to care about doing so. One example in this ceremony was not bothering to mention Joe Flaherty in the main broadcast, even though he was an integral part of generations of beloved TV shows. All this on the night that his longtime co-star was co-hosting the very same ceremony. 

It's all so devastating. Sometimes I feel ghoulish going on some quest for answers that aren't our business, especially as I had not heard a great deal of her story, so thank you. And thank you for the clips @janea4old.

 

[DramatistDreamer]

Yeah, this is why I didn’t post too much on the reporting of her actual demise but began by posting video of her actual dancing upthread.