Misty Copeland is opening up about her recovery following hip surgery, offering a candid look at life after the stage.
The renowned dancer recently revealed that she is still recovering from a serious hip issue that worsened shortly before her farewell performance with American Ballet Theatre in October 2025. The injury forced Copeland to confront new physical limitations and rethink her relationship with movement.
Copeland said the pain escalated in the days leading up to her final performance. Despite the discomfort, she chose to dance anyway.
“It was really hard to dance with the complete abandon that I’m used to,” Copeland said.
The performance marked the end of her 25-year career with the company, where she made history in 2015 as the organization’s first Black female principal dancer.
Now, as she heals from surgery, Copeland says she is learning to listen to her body while exploring new ways to stay active.
“It’s all a part of getting older and being an athlete,” she said. “It’s part of accepting the beauty of having a body and how strong and powerful it is, and what we can come back from.”
Facing a Difficult Recovery
Copeland revealed that the severity of the injury left her unable to walk shortly after her farewell performance.
“My hip, it really locked up. It just needs to calm down. It’s really inflamed,” she said while reflecting on the aftermath of the show.
The dancer said the pain intensified during rehearsals for her final number, a performance of Twyla Tharp’s “Sinatra Suite.” Copeland worked with choreographer Twyla Tharp to adjust movements as needed.
According to Copeland, Tharp encouraged her to focus on enjoying the moment rather than sticking rigidly to choreography.
“She just said: ‘Misty, do whatever you want. I don’t care. Change the steps,’” Copeland recalled.
Despite the physical strain, Copeland said she remained determined to complete the performance and connect with her fellow dancers.
Looking Ahead Beyond Ballet
While her recovery continues, Copeland says she remains committed to movement and creativity.
“I realized I have to keep moving my body,” she said. “And I want to keep moving my body, but it can look like whatever I want it to look like.”
The dancer also emphasized that leaving American Ballet Theatre does not mean she is stepping away from the arts entirely.
“I’m not retired in any way from anything,” she said. “The only thing is that I’ve left American Ballet Theatre.”
Instead, Copeland plans to focus on new projects in dance, education and advocacy. She continues to work through her foundation, which supports ballet training programs for young dancers in New York City.
In addition, she remains active within major cultural institutions and recently joined the host committee for the 2026 Met Gala.
For Copeland, recovery represents more than a medical process. It marks a transition into a new phase of life.