Misty Copeland (43) Proves Ballet Matters With Stunning Oscars 2026 Look

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Misty Copeland made a stunning appearance at the 98th Academy Awards on Sunday, returning to the public eye just months after retiring from professional ballet. The 43-year-old dancer and choreographer wowed on the red carpet in a custom David Koma outfit – a sleek black blazer combined with a flowing white tulle detail at the waist. She finished the look with a long white skirt and over $2 million in diamonds from Jared Jewelers, choosing to forgo a necklace to emphasize the striking neckline of her top and maintain a clean, elegant style.

Misty Copeland en David Koma FW26 #Oscars

— Rebeca Maccise (@rebecamaccise) March 15, 2026

Misty Copeland’s appearance at the Oscars was about more than just her outfit. The renowned ballerina performed a tribute to the film Sinners, sharing the stage with musicians Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq for a performance of their song, I Lied to You.

Copeland used the opportunity to remind everyone of the powerful connection between dance and movies. The performance was a standout moment at the ceremony, demonstrating the same skill and artistry she’s shown throughout her 25 years with the American Ballet Theatre.

Her involvement felt especially meaningful because she recently spoke out about the importance of the arts. Just days before the Oscars, Copeland responded to comments made by actor Timothée Chalamet, who had suggested that ballet and opera were losing popularity. At a panel discussion in New York, she explained that cultural value shouldn’t be measured by how popular something is.

Misty Copeland responded to Timothée Chalamet’s comments about ballet, explaining that the conversation is important for raising awareness of the art form and its value to society.

— Variety (@Variety) March 16, 2026

She explained that while this art form isn’t as mainstream as movies, it still holds cultural significance. She added that even today’s movie stars are influenced by the tradition of stage performance, and ultimately, each art form deserves its own place without needing to be compared to others.

After retiring as a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre in October 2025, Misty Copeland has dedicated herself to advocacy and her foundation’s work. The Misty Copeland Foundation strives to make excellent dance training available to all children, offering free ballet lessons to those in underserved communities.

Through initiatives like BE BOLD, she’s working to create a more diverse, equitable, and accessible world of classical dance for future generations. The film celebrated during her performance, Sinners, has been a major success this awards season.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, this supernatural horror drama tells the story of two brothers in the 1930s South. With an impressive 16 Academy Award nominations, the film has been lauded for its striking visuals and innovative use of music to enhance the storytelling.

I’ve been blown away by Michael B. Jordan’s performance – playing both Smoke and Stack is just incredible. Everyone’s talking about it! And it sounds like he’s not stopping there – after Sinners, he’s gearing up to direct and star in a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair, which is a really exciting move. On another note, Timothée Chalamet is still riding high with Marty Supreme. Apparently, he plays a table tennis whiz alongside Gwyneth Paltrow – I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard great things, especially after all the buzz around him recently!

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2026-03-16 12:18