While Misty Copeland‘s groundbreaking career on the stage has captivated audiences for over two decades, her life offstage is built around a foundation of quiet, steady happiness with her family. Beyond the spotlight and powerful performances, the ballet icon has cultivated a deeply personal world with her husband, Olu Evans, and their young son, finding a fulfilling balance between her public legacy and private joys.
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A Grounding Partnership Away from the Spotlight
Misty Copeland’s journey to finding love was as unique as her path to ballet. She met her future husband, Olu Evans, back in 2004 at a nightclub in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. Olu, who was there with his famous cousin, actor Taye Diggs, was the one to spot Misty on the dance floor and approach her. Their connection was immediate, and for Misty, this was a significant first. “He was my first boyfriend,” she once shared with Elle, noting that he taught her valuable lessons about communication and facing problems head-on.
Their relationship blossomed away from the spotlight, with Olu providing a grounding presence as Misty’s star continued to rise in the ballet world. After a decade together, the couple got engaged in August 2015.
A Simple Wedding and a Growing Family
True to her desire for a low-key celebration, Misty and Olu tied the knot on July 31, 2016. Their wedding was an intimate affair with about 100 guests at the Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach, California. Misty envisioned her wedding day as being simple and classy, a contrast to the elaborate costumes of her professional life. She told Harper’s BAZAAR, “I feel like I get to become a fairy princess on stage… So, for me, I just want to have a simple, as easy-going day as I can have.”
She looked every bit the “ethereal goddess” in a gown by designer Inbal Dror, with the ceremony overlooking the ocean and decorated with pink and white hydrangeas. The couple’s focus on privacy and simplicity marked the beginning of their married life together.
Misty Copeland, who a decade ago became the first Black female principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre’s 75-year history, was feted at its star-studded fall gala at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center, in honor of her retirement from the company. pic.twitter.com/uOldCZLDRR
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) October 23, 2025
Their family grew in the spring of 2022 when they welcomed their first child, a son named Jackson. Motherhood has been a transformative experience for Misty, who has spoken about learning to prioritize family and finding a “softer and more grounded” rhythm in her life. She credits Olu as being an incredible and supportive partner through it all, telling People, “It’s never easy, but I wouldn’t be able to do it without having a support system. My husband is incredible, and he’s an amazing dad.”
In a charming turn of events, their son Jackson has already begun his own foray into the arts, starting ballet classes at just two years old. Misty, who is a huge proponent of arts education, is clearly happy to encourage his budding interests. She told Us Weekly that her son is “doing it all,” and she delights in seeing his little personality emerge, describing him as a “little version of my husband.”
