Misty Copeland Net Worth - Pulptastic

What is Misty Copeland’s Net Worth?

Misty Copeland, the first African-American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, has a net worth of $1.5 million. Her fame as a dancer led to opportunities as a public speaker, stage actor, author, and celebrity spokesperson. Copeland also narrated the documentary film “A Ballerina’s Tale” about her life and career.

Early Life of Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Los Angeles, California. Her parents are Doug and Sylvia, and she is the youngest of four children from her mother’s second marriage. Copeland did not see her father between the ages of two and 22. She attended Point Fermin Elementary School and Dana Middle School, where she was captain of the drill team. Copeland went on to attend San Pedro High School.

Misty Copeland’s Early Ballet Career

After her mother’s fourth marriage ended, Misty Copeland and her family moved to Gardena, where she began taking ballet classes under Cynthia Bradley. Copeland eventually moved in with Bradley and her family, signing a management contract with her.

Copeland won a national ballet contest at the age of 14 and landed her first solo role. She played Clara in a production of “The Nutcracker” at San Pedro High School, drawing an attendance of 2,000. Copeland also played Kitri in a production of “Don Quixote” at the San Pedro Dance Center and had a featured role in “The Chocolate Nutcracker” at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

While living with the Bradley family, Copeland attended their synagogue and celebrated Shabbat. She was homeschooled by them for the latter part of her high school education.

At the age of 15, Copeland won first place at the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Awards. She attended a summer workshop at the San Francisco Ballet School and received an offer to continue as a full-time student but declined to remain with the Bradleys and hopefully spend time with American Ballet Theatre.

Custody Battle and New Teacher

In 1998, Misty Copeland’s mother and the Bradleys engaged in a custody battle over her. Copeland filed for emancipation while her mother applied for restraining orders against the Bradleys. Both sides dropped their legal proceedings, and Copeland began studying under a new teacher, Diane Lauridsen, a former American Ballet Theatre dancer.

Misty Copeland’s Career Highlights at American Ballet Theatre

Misty Copeland joined American Ballet Theatre in 1999 as part of the company’s summer intensive program. She became a member of its corps de ballet in 2001 and danced in many productions, including “The Sleeping Beauty,” “La Bayadère,” “workwithinwork,” “Raymonda,” “Pillar of Fire,” and “Swan Lake.”

In August of 2007, Copeland was made a soloist at ABT, making her one of the few African-American women ever to be appointed to that position in the company’s history. Her first season as a soloist was a strong one, drawing many good notices from critics. In the 2008-09 season, she earned acclaimed for her work in “Baker’s Dozen” and “Company B.”

At the Met, Copeland performed Gulnare in “Le Corsaire.” Later in 2009, she performed in ABT’s first trip to Beijing. Copeland went on to perform in a myriad of productions during her remaining six seasons as a soloist, with notable credits including “Birthday Offering,” “The Bright Stream,” “The Firebird,” “Backstage,” “Coppélia,” and “Othello.”

Misty Copeland Makes History at ABT

In 2015, Misty Copeland became the first-ever African-American woman to be appointed principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. She impressed audiences with performances in “Monotones I,” “AfterEffect,” “Souvenir de Florence,” and reprises of past performances like “The Sleeping Beauty” and “The Firebird.” Copeland also danced “Harlequinade” opposite Calvin Royal III in 2019.

Copeland’s Media Appearances Beyond Ballet

Misty Copeland has ventured beyond ballet into various other media platforms. She guest judged on the reality TV competition program “So You Think You Can Dance” and made her Broadway debut in “On the Town” as Ivy Smith for two weeks in 2015. Copeland also narrated the documentary film “A Ballerina’s Tale,” which chronicles her life and career. She walked the runway at New York Fashion Week, served as a guest judge on “World of Dance,” and appeared in ad campaigns for brands like T-Mobile, Dr. Pepper, Seiko, and Under Armour.

Misty Copeland’s Business Ventures and Writing Career

In addition to her successful career as a ballet dancer, Misty Copeland has ventured into the fashion industry by launching her dancewear line called M by Misty in 2011. She later expanded her business ventures by launching a sports apparel label called Greatness Wins. Copeland has also written several books, including the memoirs “Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina” and “The Wind at My Back: Resilience, Grace, and Other Gifts from My Mentor, Raven Wilkinson.” She has also written children’s picture books such as “Firebird” and “Bunheads” and a health and fitness guide titled “Ballerina Body.”

Marriage and Family

Misty Copeland married attorney Olu Evans in 2016. The couple had been introduced to each other 12 years earlier by Evans’s cousin, actor Taye Diggs. Copeland and Evans have a son and live in Manhattan on the Upper West Side.