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Misty Copeland: Behind the Guideposts Magazine Cover Shoot

Brooke Obie

Go behind the scenes of history-making ballerina Misty Copeland’s Guideposts February 2016 cover shoot.

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American Ballet Theatre’s first Black principal ballerina Misty Copeland arrived at her Guideposts February 2016 cover shoot back in November 2015 like a bright light. Five minutes early and ready to work, Misty greeted every staffer at the Chelsea, New York City studio with a wide and gracious smile. While her small hair and make-up team prepped her for the shoot, she shared with me her odds-defying journey to the top of the professional ballet world.

Subscribe to Guideposts magazine’s digital edition to read her incredible cover story, and check out our behind the scenes look at her cover shoot. –Brooke Obie

Misty Copeland Guideposts Cover Shoot — Credit: Larsen&Talbert

1 ^{of 8} An Unlikely Start

While most professional ballerinas started dancing at 4 or 5 years old, Misty Copeland didn’t start until she was 13, taking classes at her local chapter of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, where she was discovered and hailed as a prodigy.

Misty Copeland Guideposts February 2016 Cover Shoot — Credit: Larsen&Talbert

2 ^{of 8} A Quick Ascent

Though Misty started dancing at 13, by 15 she had become an award-winning ballerina.

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3 ^{of 8} Made to Dance

“You have the wrong body for ballet,” reads a rejection letter a young Misty Copeland received in her pursuit of a career in ballet. In Guideposts February 2016 cover story, Misty Copeland shares how she came to love her body and remade the ideal ballerina’s shape in her own image. Subscribe to Guideposts digital edition to read Misty’s inspiring story.

4 ^{of 8} Guideposts' February 2016 Cover

Subscribe to Guideposts digital edition to read Misty’s inspiring story.

5 ^{of 8} Making History

The first time Misty Copeland made history was in 2007 when she was promoted to soloist–the first African American ballerina soloist in 20 years.

6 ^{of 8} Achieving Her Dreams

Misty Copeland most recently made history again when she was promoted to principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre’s company–the first African-American principal ballerina in ABT’s 75-year history. Read more of Misty Copeland’s amazing story here.

8 ^{of 8} Inspiring Quotes from Misty Copeland

See more beautiful images of Misty Copeland and read her inspiring quotes here.

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