Misty Copeland Takes Final Bow at ABT Gala

On Oct. 22 at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater, Misty Copeland took her final bow with American Ballet Theatre after a 25-year career in a sold-out, star-studded Fall Gala that included excerpts from Romeo and Juliet, Sinatra Suite and a new piece by choreographer Kyle Abraham. Copeland, 43, who made history as ABT’s first Black woman promoted to principal dancer in 2015, delivered an emotional farewell while saying she is not retiring and will continue her work through The Misty Copeland Foundation and its BE BOLD programs. The evening featured tributes and high-profile attendees including Oprah Winfrey and Caroline Kennedy, and ABT arranged a free live broadcast that drew long lines for distributed tickets, allowing hundreds, including students from her foundation partners, to attend. On the red carpet Copeland wore a Carolina Herrera drop-waist tulle gown and later changed into a sequin blazer dress for the dinner, underscoring her evolving public role beyond the stage. Separately that night, Jenna Dewan drew attention at the Gala of the Stars benefiting Dancers Against Cancer, posting photos of a strapless lilac crystal-embellished dress and a tribute to Janet Jackson.