Who is Misty Copeland? The Ballerina Who Earned Timothée Chalamet's Standing Ovation at the Oscars After Ballet Backlash

Misty Copeland, the legendary ballerina who made history as the first Black woman promoted to principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in 2015, has come out of retirement and took centre stage at the 98th Academy Awards. On Sunday, 15 March, Copeland captivated audiences with a powerful dance sequence that reminded the world why she remains one of the most influential figures in classical ballet.

Her appearance came during a show-stopping rendition of 'I Lied to You,' from the Sinners soundtrack, nominated for Best Original Song. Copeland's performance earned a standing ovation from the audience, including actor Timothée Chalamet, who previously received backlash because of his comments about opera and ballet.

Who is Misty Copeland?

Misty Copeland is widely recognised as a trailblazer in the field of classical dance. In 2015, she made history as the first Black woman promoted to principal dancer at the ABT in its 75-year history.

She began ballet at age 13—considered late for professional training—and joined the ABT in 2001. She remained with the company until her retirement from the stage on 22 October 2025. Throughout her career, Copeland has been a prominent advocate for diversifying ballet and increasing access to dance education for children in underrepresented communities.

Beyond the stage, Copeland is a best-selling author of several books, including her memoir Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina and the children's book Firebird.

She has also made appearances in film and on Broadway, and is known for her work with charitable organisations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

A Show-Stopping Performance at the Oscars

At the 2026 Oscars on Sunday, Copeland joined stars of Sinners for a live performance of 'I Lied to You'. The 43-year-old dancer took centre stage alongside Shaboozey, with musician Raphael Saadiq opening on guitar and singer Caton adding vocals.

The sequence transported viewers into a 1930s Mississippi juke joint, echoing the film's exploration of musical heritage. Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard contributed vocals, while Sinners star Jack O'Connell was spotted dancing in the audience. The performance concluded with Copeland delivering a commanding ballet solo that drew widespread acclaim.

Timothée Chalamet's Applause After Controversy

Copeland's performance earned a standing ovation from the audience, including Chalamet, who was nominated for Best Actor for Marty Supreme. His reaction carried added weight given his earlier comments about ballet and opera, which faced massive backlash within the arts community.

During a Variety and CNN town hall with Matthew McConaughey, Chalamet remarked that 'no one cares' about ballet and opera anymore. He added: 'I don't want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it's like, "Hey, keep this thing alive," even though like no one cares about this anymore.'

Copeland's Promotion for 'Marty Supreme'

Copeland had previously addressed Chalamet's comments, stressing the enduring relevance of ballet and opera. Interestingly, she was invited to promote Marty Supreme, sharing an Instagram post in which she wore a jacket from the film.

Speaking at the Aveeno x TOGETHXR panel earlier this month, Copeland said, 'First I have to say that it's very interesting that he invited me to be a part of promoting Marty Supreme with respect to my art form,' adding, 'I think that it's important that we acknowledge that, yes, this is an art form that's not "popular" and a part of pop culture as movies are. But that doesn't mean it doesn't have enduring relevance in culture.'

She added that Chalamet, 'wouldn't be an actor and have the opportunities he has as a movie star if it weren't for opera and ballet in their relevance in that medium.'