Misty Copeland has spoken out about life after ballet.
Copeland, 43, took her final bow with American Ballet Theatre in October 2025, a decade after making history as the first Black woman to become principal dancer within the company.The Independent spoke with Copeland Monday night just moments before she accepted the inaugural Luminary Award at Lincoln Center’s Summer Gala, where she provided new insight into her time away from the stage.
“It’s really interesting. I wouldn’t call it retirement,” Copeland said. “I feel that word’s been used a lot. It’s really me stepping away from American Ballet Theatre, but it’s been extremely busy.”
She continued: “Something that I’ve learned is really the importance of [is] people keep saying, ‘Well, ballerina has been your identity for so long.’ That’s not something I have to leave behind or let go of in order to move on to different things. It’s something that’s always within us.
“That’s what I speak to so often, is the importance of the arts, not just to use it as a profession, but that you can take those tools and skills with you that are so transferable into so many different fields and so many different things in your life.
“That’s been really beautiful, you know, whether it’s through my production company or, you know, I’m continuing to write books in my foundation, those are all things that I’ve learned as a dancer and as an artist that I’m applying and taking with me, into all these spaces.”
Since stepping away from ABT, Copeland hasn’t slowed down. She shared more about the several projects she has in the works through her production company, Life in Motion Productions, her eponymous foundation, and as an author.
“I have a new book coming out in the fall that I’m really, really excited about,” she said. “It’s a middle grade series for kids.
“We have new programs through my foundation, the Misty Copeland Foundation and our signature Be Bold program,” she continued. “We have an older adult program that’s really starting to take shape and bring older adults together in communities that are 50 and over in the Bronx and in Harlem, and the importance of moving your bodies.”
Copeland also mentioned a feature film based on the novel Variation by author Rebecca Yarros.
Earlier this year, the renowned dancer addressed Timothée Chalamet’s controversial comments that “no one cares” about ballet or opera.
“First, I have to say that it’s very interesting that he invited me to be a part of promoting Marty Supreme with respect to my art form,” Copeland said at a panel for Aveeno skincare, according to Variety. “I think that it’s important that we acknowledge that, yes, this is an art form that’s not ‘popular’ and a part of pop culture as movies are, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have enduring relevance in culture.”
Copeland also said there is “a reason that the opera and ballet have been around for over 400 years,” adding: “He wouldn’t be an actor and have the opportunities he has as a movie star if it weren’t for opera and ballet and their relevance in that medium.”