Misty Copeland Performs at Oscars After Retirement and Surgery

Ballet legend Misty Copeland returned to the stage for a special 'Sinners' performance at the 2026 Academy Awards.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:03am

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Misty Copeland, the first African American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, took the Oscars stage on Sunday night for a special performance with the ensemble from the film 'Sinners.' This marked Copeland's first public performance since retiring from ballet in October 2025 and undergoing recent hip surgery. Copeland called it an 'honor' to share the stage with the talented 'Sinners' cast and crew, including best actor winner Michael B. Jordan.

Why it matters

Copeland's Oscars performance came amid ongoing debates about the relevance and future of classical art forms like ballet and opera, sparked by recent controversial comments from actor Timothée Chalamet. Copeland used the high-profile platform to defend the enduring importance of ballet and the need for greater access and exposure to the art form, especially in underserved communities.

The details

Copeland, who retired from the American Ballet Theatre in 2025 after a groundbreaking career, was asked to join the 'Sinners' ensemble performance at the Oscars. The film features a memorable scene where Miles Caton's character Sammie sings and plays guitar as the spirits of Black musicians and performers, including a ballerina in a red leotard, move through a juke joint. Copeland, who had the inaugural leading role in 'The Firebird,' was thrilled to be part of bringing that vision to life on the Oscars stage, even though she had recently undergone hip surgery and was 'not dancing at the moment.' She put her pointe shoes back on for the performance, which also featured a lineup of acclaimed musicians like Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, and Christone 'Kingfish' Ingram.

  • Copeland retired from the American Ballet Theatre in October 2025.
  • Copeland underwent hip surgery shortly after her retirement.

The players

Misty Copeland

The first African American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, who recently retired from ballet and underwent hip surgery.

Miles Caton

The actor who plays the character Sammie in the film 'Sinners.'

Michael B. Jordan

The actor who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in 'Sinners.'

Ludwig Göransson

The composer of the 'Sinners' soundtrack, who is a three-time Oscar winner.

Serena Göransson

The executive music producer for 'Sinners' who helped coordinate Misty Copeland's involvement in the Oscars performance.

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What they’re saying

“To be a part of something like 'Sinners,' I was like 'Yes! I'm going to somehow make this happen,' even though I'm not dancing at the moment.”

— Misty Copeland

“It was such an honor to be on the stage and share the stage with such incredible talent, and I'm so proud of Michael B. Jordan, who took home best actor.”

— Misty Copeland

“My partner Serena [Göransson, the executive music producer for 'Sinners'] had been talking to her for a while. It was crazy how [the timing] played out. It was a dream to get her onboard.”

— Ludwig Göransson, Composer, 'Sinners' soundtrack

“He knows. He had the privilege of growing up and seeing it first-hand.”

— Misty Copeland

“To me, it's really about educating people about the importance of it in our society. [Ballet] does play a huge role and impacts so many other art forms. It's really about arts and dance education, and getting it to communities that wouldn't otherwise have access and the opportunity to be exposed to it, to show that we do care about it and it is important.”

— Misty Copeland

What’s next

Copeland is expected to continue advocating for greater access and exposure to ballet, especially in underserved communities, in the wake of her high-profile Oscars performance.

The takeaway

Misty Copeland's triumphant return to the stage at the Oscars, just months after retiring from ballet and undergoing hip surgery, underscores the enduring relevance and importance of classical art forms like ballet, even as they face challenges. Her performance served as a powerful rebuttal to those who question the future of these disciplines.