A Girl Named Misty

Table of Contents

• Finding Her Shine
• Stepping Out
• Putting In the Work
• The Making of a Star
• City of Dreams
• Dancing in the Spotlight
• A Girl Named Alexa

Finding Her Shine

Misty Danielle Copeland was born on September 10th, 1982, in Kansas City, Missouri. She moved with her mom, Sylvia, and siblings to Southern California when she was two years old. Over the next several years, she continued to move between apartments and houses with her family. Sometimes, her family had to make do with very little money.

With two big brothers, a big sister, and both a younger brother and sister, Misty had to share her mom’s limited attention. Her face would light up when her mom complimented something she did in school, but her worries continue to nag her. What if her best wasn’t good enough? What if they had to move again?

When Misty was seven years old living in San Pedro, California, Misty was watching TV when a movie about an Olympic gymnast named Nadia Comaneci came on. Her flips, spins, and leaps across the floor amazed Misty. Nadia’s mix of acrobatics and dance made Misty want to move like that, too.

In her yard, Misty would teach herself how to do cartwheels and handstands. She was able to master gymnastics moves with very little effort. She’d pretend to perform for an audience and imagine their roaring applause when she did all of her moves just right.

Something special filled Misty’s heart when she listened to Mariah Carey songs, too. She felt a connection to Mariah, who was biracial, just like Misty. Misty’s mom and dad were both half-Black and half-White. Seeing someone who looked like her who was so successful inspired Misty. When Misty would make up dances in her bedroom, she was able to act out the words and feelings as the music would flow through her. It was like a light switch that flipped on inside her. Misty’s worries about school, money, and where they lived would disappear as she danced.