Misty Copeland takes final bow with the American Ballet Company

On October 22, 2025, Misty Copeland twirled one last time at the fall gala at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center, marking an end to her 25-year-long career with the American Ballet Company. 

Considered a prodigy, she made history on June 30th, 2015, by becoming the first African-American woman to be promoted to a principal dancer in the American Ballet Company’s 75-year history. The milestone was a monumental step in representation for black and brown dancers and audiences across the world. A champion for diversity and inclusion, she has worked tirelessly to make the world of ballet more welcoming to all.

The evening concluded with Copeland taking a bow in front of the audience and her peers on a confetti and flower-covered stage as the final curtain dropped on her career with the ABT. 

Her final performance has received an outpouring of love, kind words, and utter surprise from fans across the globe, throughout social media.

The star-studded event featured words from Debbie Allen, Oprah Winfrey, Phylicia Rashad, and Danielle Brooks, who spoke on the impact of seeing Misty perform iconic performances throughout the years. “Bravo, queen! You did it! For the culture, for everybody, for yourself, for your family, for the world. It is incredible to witness it. I’m glad to be alive at the time of Misty Copeland.” Brooks told ABC News

She does, however, want it to be known that this isn’t the end of the road for her. While she is retiring from ABT, she intends to remain an active member of the ballet community. “This is the end of ABT for me. But I want to continue performing in some capacity,” she told Harper’s Bazaar.  

Aside from dancing, Misty has launched the Misty Copeland Foundation and its first program, BE BOLD, which aims to make dancing, especially ballet,  more accessible and affordable to children. She’s launched an athletic wear business, Greatness Wins, with Derek Jeter and Chris Riccobono. Misty is also a New York Times bestselling author haven written several books, including “Life in Motion”, “Ballerina Body”, “Black Ballerinas”, and two children’s books, “Bunheads” and “Bunheads, Act 2: The Dance of Courage.” 

Now that the curtain has drawn on her time with ABT, the world sits in anticipation of what her next act will bring.