Ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, who performed with Beyoncé and was seen by many as a trailblazer, has died at the age of 29.

A spokesperson announced her death on her personal Instagram page and in a statement her family said she was an “unforgettable inspiration to everyone who knew her or heard her story”.

The cause of death has not been given.

DePrince made a remarkable journey from suffering as an orphan in war-torn Sierra Leone to numerous accolades in the world of international dance.

Her family said her death had been “sudden”, adding: “Michaela touched so many lives across the world, including ours.”

Tributes have been pouring in, including from others in the ballet community.

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    -543 months ago

    Quite a few public deaths of late with no reason given. When someone like this, so young and accomplished, dies it is in the public interest that the reason be revealed. There could be systemic abuse etc… and I would like to know steps are being taken to prevent this sort of tragedy from recurring if possible.