Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter 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 …