Misty Copeland's rise to stardom focus of new movie

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The director of her new movie calls Misty Copeland the first ballet superstar in 40 years.

She's famous in the world of dance, but also well known to the public at large, where she is increasingly seen as an inspiration to people of all ages.

Misty Copeland is also a pioneer as a new documentary makes clear. "A Ballerina's Tale" charts her rise from poverty.

"I first discovered ballet at 13. I had no exposure to it," she said in the film. "There's a lack of diversity in ballet."

So Copeland had to hear the word 'no' over and over again for years.

"Based on my body type, pedigree and background, I should not have been a part of one of the world's greatest ballet companies," Copeland said.

Vindication came from that same company when she took her place as the first African American woman to be named principal dancer at American Ballet Theater.

"I had moments of doubting myself and wanting to quit because I didn't know there'd be a future for an African American woman to make it to this level," Copeland said.

And she almost didn't. The new movie is described by its director as "a snapshot of an artist in a moment of crisis."

After years of breaking through barriers, poised on the threshold of greatness, Misty developed an injury that threatened her career. She suffered a mid-tibia stress fracture and the prognosis was bad.

"That I would possibly never dance again," Copeland said.

Misty told us she stayed positive and pro-active.

"So I found the doctor that told me I would dance again and that this is an injury that a lot of athletes have, and that made me feel comforted," she said.

She recovered fully to keep her date with destiny.

"I understand what it can do for generations to come, for them to be able to come; for them to envision and visualize a future for themselves in this world," Copeland explained.

As a little girl Misty first found inspiration moving to the music of: Mariah Carey. "A Ballerina's Tale" is in theaters on Wednesday. Just one week later, she will open her first season as principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater at Lincoln Center.