In Misty Copeland's famous viral ad, she reads a rejection letter. They tell her she has the wrong feet, achilles tendons, turnout and bust for ballet.
When someone is different, there are always people who try to put them down, but it's people like Misty Copeland, and Adrianna Kenebrew, a blind gymnast, who seem to end up the most successful.
After becoming one of the first African-American soloists to be accepted into the American Ballet Theater in years, today Copeland has become the first black female principal dancer in the group's 75-year-history.
Though her accomplishment is groundbreaking, Copeland has been vocal about her struggles as a ballerina of color and her aspirations in spite of them.
“My fears are that it could be another two decades before another black woman is in the position that I hold with an elite ballet company,” she wrote in her memoir, Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina. “That if I don’t rise to principal, people will feel I have failed them.”
The New York Times reported that Copeland received roaring cheers from the audience in her recent performance of Swan Lake.
“Principal! Principal, Misty! Principal, dear!” A woman called out, “Congratulations, Misty!”
Little did they know that they had predicted correctly about Copeland's future.
“It’s such a special day for me, and for so many people who have come before me. So thank you for being here on this amazing day,” Copeland said to the fans.
See her unforgettable Under Amour ad below and SHARE this amazing news to inspire little girls everywhere!
Copeland is sure to inspire hundreds, even thousands more little girls who aspire to be dancers but are told too often they don't fit the mold.
Watch her wonderful response to the haters below!
