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After taking her final bow as American Ballet Theater’s first Black female principal dancer, Misty Copeland is looking to the future and sharing advice for the next generation.
Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at ABT’s Fall 2025 Gala, the 43-year-old prima ballerina revealed the advice she would give to young dancers who want to make history just like her.
“Try to find joy,” she said. “This is one of the hardest things in the world, but you have to remember the joy of it and why you do it.”
Eugene Gologulsky/Getty for American Ballet Theater
Shortly after speaking with PEOPLE, Copeland celebrated her final ballet performance with ABT before her retirement. The prima ballerina was absent from her role for five years.
The 32-year-old is the first black female principal dancer in ABT’s history since its founding in 1939.
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The final performance, held at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City, was titled “A Celebration in Honor of Misty Copeland.” It included performances by Copland and other dancers, speeches from notable guests, and a video montage of Copland’s 25-year tenure with the company. The event was co-chaired by Caroline Kennedy and Oprah Winfrey.
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After his powerful retirement performance, Copeland spoke with PEOPLE in November about the “very emotional” moment in which he received flowers from generations of black dancers, including Debbie Allen, Virginia Johnson and Desmond Richardson, who he said “opened the door for me to get on that stage.”
Copeland said it was a “very fulfilling moment” made even better by the presence of her husband, Ol Evans, and their 3-year-old son, Jackson.
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“It was just incredible to have my husband and son there,” she tells PEOPLE. “I mean, the day after he saw me dance and stand on stage for the first time, he felt like a different boy. Literally, my husband and I were like, ‘Who changed?'”
“It was really interesting to see his change, which was amazing,” Copeland continued. “I was overwhelmed. I think I’m going to be processing this for a while because I think it takes time to process things.”
In that conversation, she continued that she plans to keep her son out of the spotlight.
“With my son, I would definitely not put him on camera under any circumstances,” Copeland said. “But when it comes to my career and what I’m doing, I’m really open.”
