Michaela DePrince’s last post surfaces before her untimely death at 29, one week after family tragedy

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Trailblazing professional ballerina Michaela DePrince shared a final Instagram post weeks before the announcement of her death this week.

The 29-year-old star of the 2021 ballet film 'Coppelia' has recently died due to undisclosed causes, as announced on her social media account on Friday, September 14.

Michaela DePrince’s final post shows her smiling in Nike gear

In her last post on August 9, a beaming Michaela DePrince was clad in Nike attire in the two images with a straightforward peace sign emoji.

Additionally, the post includes soul singer Khalid's song 'Better', known for its lyrics: "Nothing feels better than this, nothing feels better."

The adopted ballerina's last post transitions to a secondary image of her in a different, more athletic gray and white Nike-sponsored attire, gazing into the distance.

In addition to 'Coppelia', she featured in AT&T's 2012 spotlight performance on 'Dancing With the Stars' and Beyonce's Emmy-nominated 'Lemonade' musical film of 2016.

DePrince was raised in the conflict-ridden Sierra Leone, Africa, where she first encountered the image of an American ballerina in an orphanage. Her professional debut was with the Joburg Ballet in Johannesburg, the New York Post reported.

Subsequently, she earned the distinction of being the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem. In 2021, DePrince was appointed a second soloist with the Boston Ballet, a milestone that contributed to her securing the lead role in 'Coppelia'.

The dancer's memoir titled 'Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina' was released in 2016, sparking discussions about a biopic with Madonna set to direct.

Michaela DePrince’s sister Mia pens emotional tribute

Michaela DePrince's sister Mia, 30, shared a heartfelt post on Instagram featuring the two of them as young girls on September 14, as per Daily Mail.

The post read, "I am truly in a state of shock and deep sadness. My beautiful sister is no longer here. From the very beginning of our story back in Africa, sleeping on a shared mat in the orphanage, Michaela (Mabinty) and I used to make up our own musical theater plays and act them out."

The pioneering ballerina's sister kept sharing cherished recollections from their childhood with great enthusiasm.

"We created our own ballets. She would choreograph, and I was the composer and conductor. When we got adopted, our parents quickly poured into our dreams and arose the beautiful, gracefully strong ballerina that so many of you knew her as today. I love you, my beautiful Butterfly," the post concluded.

Fans pay tribute to Michaela DePrince on her last Instagram post

Following DePrince's death, her admirers revisited her August Instagram post to express their love and emotions.

One fan wrote, "🕊️🕊️🕊️ Listen golden angel keep dancing gracefully over us. and watch over us always. there are so many footsteps like yours. We hope to encounter your spirit again very soon."

Another added, "I’m still in shock and not knowing what happened is even more heartbreaking 💔💔💔😭😭😭."

One person used a peace emoji and remarked, "💔 Rest in power 🕊️."

"🕊️ Rest in power, you beautiful soul," said another.

One individual wrote with broken heart, "Come back and dance again 😢💔."

Another added, "The world is going to miss your brilliance.💔"

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