Misty Copeland On Bringing Diversity To Classical Ballet

As the first African American female principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland feels that speaking about diversity is why she's here.

[jee-eunhong]

What a bright young artist!! Thank you for bringing wonderful artists to the show.
Your band, Jon Batist and stay human is the best band of talk shows!!
Yo-yo Ma?? Are you kidding me? How great he is!! The most unpretentious classical musician in the world. Who is next??

[Link]

Obviously. So sad that the color of our outer most layer of protection - skin - is such a big deal and has to cover so much of our daily feed.

[whatsinaname]

colbert, you are inviting the most amazing people. good for you & good for your team for being welcoming of people from all facets of life. this lady is an icon.cheers!

[reNNDinclusus]

Considering the fact that ABT was established in the late 30s and America's been a thing since the 1700s, I really think comparing glass ceilings in this context is apples-to-oranges.

[accidentals_hacks]

My opinion is that people need to stop putting labels on themselves and others. Be human, be a person. This is the 21st century, why are we still going by the one-drop rule? First white, first black. Like it's some kind of a freak show, unheard of! Sensational! pfft.

[AstroAthena]

She's not the first African American Principal Ballerina. Houston had theirs, Lauren Anderson, who is considered one of the best in the US.

[dasaunmcclinton]

I understand what they are saying, but considering that ballet is a European tradition, I don't see the problem with not having diversity in that field. As a black man, I find it odd that if white people wear dreads and sag their pants, it's cultural appropriation, but if people of color start taking part in or taking over a traditionally European thing, it's diversification. Cultural appropriation is terrible, I know, but this seems extremely one sided.

[swiftyevr]

I'm surprised at how bad her posture is.... But this was an amazing guest!!

[mirabai]

Seems quite reasonable that other countries have a dearth of African-American ballerinas. It's funny how every black person is now called African-American regardless of their actual country of origin.

[tofelipwithlove]

what about Michaela dePrince? she African American and I thought she got a scholarship in one of those elite companies.

[tajtagore]

I love how stephen is bringing in so many different kind of people like ballerinas, game developers, and politicians ect

[Allendvpe]

First off for the people who say "why is always about race" Honey we don't make into that. Racial discrimination is just the big ass elephant in the room that we're addressing. So u can try to ignore it but THATS WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING.. especially when u go to see a classical ballet show. It's not like there are no other ballerinas that are of color who are technically as great ....there are. They're just never given a chance cause all the white swans have to be white and all identical. Which I find contradicting cause appropriation is always made when they make movies like gods of Egypt..🤔🤔🤔

[lampcrow]

I knew Stephen was really a liberal but jeez. Who honestly cares about "diversity" now? Just let it happen naturally and don't make a spectacle of it. There's nothing wrong with leaving things to themselves, you're not trying to prove anything nowadays. It more comes across as tokenism for its own sake.

[APuZvfvag]

Diversity, eh? How about some body diversity too? Who will be the first 300 lb principal ballerina?

[jonssyy]

So proud of this lady. If you know the world of professional ballet, you know what AFRICAN AMERICANS go through. But she persevered and triumphed as an AFRICAN AMERICAN ballerina. And she is only 5ft 2"!! NO ONE is ever Prima Ballerina at 5 ft 2. Doesn't happen. Trust and believe. You go AFRICAN AMERICAN Prima Ballerina Missy Copeland! Hope to see you in NYC later this year!!

[tylerhenshaw]

Diversity in anything is fine but let it come naturally, not forced upon. Also, she is half black half white, meaning she is half African American

[voyagerabove]

It's like she tries to show off as many of her teeth as possible when she smiles.

[saucybackport]

the least possible black shade popped up, no wonder

[Walzounet]

"As one of the only african american prima ballerina in the world". It's going to be hard to have african american in europe, sorry.

[khadijagwen]

Sure, she is black, but she looks more Ethopian to me. She is blessed.