The New Michaela DePrince Movie Is Going To Be Awesome

Many of us first fell in love with Michaela DePrince after seeing her onscreen. The 2011 Youth America Grand Prix documentary First Position captured DePrince as a teenage ballet hopeful with an incredible story—and seriously incredible talent. It was enough to hook anybody with feelings and/or eyes.

DePrince in a First Position publicity shot (via First Position‘s website)

Fast-forward four years: DePrince has developed into a gorgeous artist; is gracing the cover of the current issue Dance Spirit; has a contract with Dutch National Ballet, where she’s already dancing soloist roles; and is the author of a beautiful memoir, Taking Flight. Now, in a full-circle moment, that memoir—which traces her journey from a Sierra Leone orphanage to the international ballet stage—is getting a film of its own. Which means it’s time for a whole new group of dance lovers to discover Michaela’s story onscreen.

Breathtaking. (from DePrince’s DS shoot; photo by Michel Schnater)

You might have noticed a sentence about the film tucked into DePrince’s cover story. As of this morning, we have a little more information about the MGM project: Respected director Sanaa Hamri—best known for her Jay-Z, Mariah Carey and Prince music videos, the film Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 and the (fantastic) Fox drama “Empire”—has been tapped to direct. Which makes us all the more excited to see the finished product.

No word yet on expected release date, but you’d better believe we’ll be following this one closely. Stay tuned!