Misty Copeland Shows How She Defied The Odds And Changed Ballet In New Documentary

Misty Copeland has broken major barriers in classical dance.

Besides making history this past summer when she became the first black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater, she’s successfully defied odds with her muscular and less than traditional ballerina aesthetic. She’s changed the ballet world forever.

Director Nelson George documents the 32-year-old soloist’s inspirational journey in his latest film “A Ballerina’s Tale.”

The film delves into Copeland’s rocky upbringing, the injuries that nearly ended her career and the adversity she’s fought to overcome.

"I think people do make judgment based on maybe something they’re not consciously aware of and it may be the fact that I’m black, maybe the fact that I have a large chest, maybe the fact that I’m muscular,” she says in the clip above. "They’re reaching for change in the classical ballet world because they think the art form is dying. But if there isn’t change, how can it continue and grow. I think there has to be change happening."

“A Ballerina’s Tale” will open in theaters and video on demand on October 14. Watch the trailer below.

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