Misty Copeland is giving fans a candid look at her recovery after hip replacement surgery, saying the process has tested her patience and resilience.
In a video posted to social media, the retired ballet star shared clips from her healing journey, including footage of her walking with a walker, getting her bandage removed, using a cane, stretching on the floor, working through physical therapy and eventually walking on her own.
“Recovery, start to now,” Copeland wrote. “Since my hip replacement in December, it’s been a journey of patience, small wins, and learning to trust my body again.”
She added, “From first steps with support to walking on my own, every phase has mattered.”
Copeland also spoke honestly about the realities of healing.
“Healing isn’t linear, but it’s built on consistency, support, and resilience,” she wrote. “I’m so proud of how far I’ve come. I’m deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of love, encouragement and support that has carried me through every step of this journey.”
Copeland, 43, retired from American Ballet Theatre in 2025 after making history in 2015 as the first Black woman promoted to principal dancer in the company’s 75-year history. Her rise reshaped ballet in the U.S. and made her one of the most influential figures in the art form. Copeland began ballet at 13, an unusually late start for an elite dancer, and still became a prodigy. Over the years, she pushed through injuries, body image struggles and the racial isolation that came with being the only Black woman in ABT for much of her career.
Ballet is known for its grace and precision, but the physical demands can take a serious toll on the body. Like many athletic activities, ballet involves repetitive movements, long training hours and intense strain on muscles and joints and dancers often experience injuries related to overuse, particularly in areas like the hips, feet and ankles. Hip pain is particularly common because the muscles around the joint are constantly engaged to maintain balance and flexibility. When those muscles become overworked or strained, they can go into spasm, sometimes leading to additional pain in the lower back and knees as other muscles compensate
“It’s all a part of getting older and being an athlete,” Copeland 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.”
“Every phase has mattered,” Copeland added.
In the comments section of the Instagram post, Copeland’s supporters praised her strength and determination, wishing her a speedy recovery.
