TED Talks Daily How I found resilience through artistry | Misty Copeland
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Dec 2, 2025 
Misty Copeland, renowned ballerina and activist, breaks barriers as the first Black principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. She shares her powerful journey from childhood instability to finding purpose in ballet at 13. Misty discusses resilience as navigating pain with intention and reflects on her experience with racism in the dance world, including exclusion from performances. She highlights her triumph in debuting as Swan Queen and emphasizes her mission to expand access to ballet through her foundation, books, and film.
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Dancing On A Broken Leg
- Misty Copeland danced The Firebird while ignoring deep pain and later learned she had six stress fractures in her tibia.
- She felt pride and calm knowing she poured everything into a role bigger than herself.
Ballet Found On A Basketball Court
- At 13 Misty first touched a ballet bar on a basketball court and found movement that removed migraines and gave her purpose.
- Ballet provided stability, discipline, and a rhythm that quieted her childhood turmoil.
Excluded From Swan Lake
- Early in her career Misty was excluded from a filmed Swan Lake because 'my brown skin would disrupt the aesthetic.'
- She still returned to the studio despite heartbreak, fearing the door might close forever for those after her.