my dream has been adt since i was 13, and to be a principal dancer is reaching those heights. now 32, misty copeland has forged her own unique path as she danced her way up the ranks of one of the world s most competitive professions. i m just so honored, so extremely honored to be a principal dancer [laughter] to be an african-american and to be in this position. despite naysayers along the way including one rejection letter saying she had, quote, the wrong body for ballet, copeland has persevered. i had moments of doubting myself and wanting to quit because i didn t know that there would be a future for an african-american woman to make it to this level. at the same time, it made me so hungry. after years of hard work, this ballet star who was raised by a single mother on welfare has transvended dance, being named by time magazine as one of starring in ads for brands like dr. pepper and under armour. now, as she assumes her new position, for copeland it s ab