Meet Misty Copeland’s Siblings: Cameron Koa DelaCerna, Lindsey, Erica, Christopher, and Douglas Jr.

Misty Copeland, the groundbreaking ballerina who made history as the first African American principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), draws much of her strength and determination from her close-knit yet complex family.

Born on September 10, 1982, in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised primarily in San Pedro, California, Misty is of African American, German, and Italian descent, embodying a rich multicultural heritage.

Although her religious beliefs are not widely publicized, she has often spoken about finding spiritual strength throughout her journey, without identifying a specific faith.

Misty is the youngest of six children born to Sylvia DelaCerna and Doug Copeland. Her full siblings include Erica Stephanie Copeland, Christopher Ryan Copeland, and Douglas Copeland Jr.

She also has two half-siblings—Cameron Koa DelaCerna and Lindsey Monique Brown—from her mother’s later marriages. Despite financial struggles, frequent relocations, and periods of living in motels, her family remained a defining influence, instilling resilience and ambition.

Her mother, a former Kansas City Chiefs cheerleader, played a pivotal role in her early life, nurturing Misty’s talents while navigating the challenges of raising a large family. Though supportive, the family dynamic was often strained—fueling Misty‘s resolve to pursue excellence.

Misty’s academic path took an unconventional route due to her commitment to dance. She began ballet at the age of 13 at the San Pedro Dance Center—an unusually late start for a professional ballerina—and later trained through the American Ballet Theatre’s summer programs.

To support her rigorous training schedule, she was homeschooled during her teenage years. Misty did not pursue traditional higher education but instead refined her skills under the mentorship of influential teachers like Cindy Bradley.

Misty Copeland is 43 years old. She married attorney Olu Evans in 2016, and together they welcomed their first child, a son named Jackson Evans, in 2022.

Misty stands at 5 feet 2 inches tall—small in stature but renowned for her commanding stage presence, discipline, and artistry.

Growing up in a family marked by love, struggle, and resilience, her relationships with her siblings—whether full or half-siblings—have remained an important yet more private part of her story.

Cameron Koa DelaCerna

Cameron Koa DelaCerna holds the distinction of being Misty Copeland‘s oldest half-brother, born to their mother, Sylvia DelaCerna and her third husband, Robert DelaCerna.

As one of the elder figures in the family, Cameron represents a stabilizing presence during the turbulent years of frequent relocations and economic challenges that defined the Copeland-DelaCerna household.

Though details about Cameron‘s personal life and career remain largely out of the public eye—reflecting the family’s preference for privacy—he is part of the broader tapestry of siblings who rallied around Misty as she pursued ballet from a young age.

In interviews, Misty has alluded to the protective dynamic among her older siblings, with Cameron contributing to the sense of continuity amid her mother’s successive marriages. Today, he stands as a quiet pillar in the family, embodying the enduring bonds that have sustained Misty through her groundbreaking career.

Lindsey Monique Brown

Lindsey Monique Brown, Misty‘s youngest half-sister, brings a vibrant athletic energy to the family legacy.

Born from Sylvia DelaCerna‘s fourth marriage to Harold Brown, Lindsey shares Misty‘s mixed heritage of African American, German, and Italian roots, but arrived on the scene after Misty had already begun her ascent in the dance world.

What sets Lindsey apart is her own accomplishments in sports; she was a standout track star at California State University, Chico, where her speed and determination on the field echoed the discipline Misty honed in the studio. The sisters’ age gap—Misty being the elder—allowed Lindsey to look up to her famous sibling, drawing inspiration from Misty‘s perseverance against odds.

Though Lindsey maintains a low profile, her achievements underscore the theme of excellence that permeates the Copeland family. Misty has occasionally referenced the joy of watching her younger sister’s triumphs, crediting the sibling dynamic for instilling a competitive yet nurturing spirit that propelled her own success.

Erica Stephanie Copeland

Among Misty Copeland‘s siblings, Erica Stephanie Copeland stands out as both a full sister and a profound influence on her path to stardom.

Sharing the same biological parents—Sylvia DelaCerna and Doug Copeland—Erica is one of Misty’s three full siblings, and as the eldest daughter, she served as a trailblazer in her own right.

Erica‘s passion for dance ignited early; she captained the Dana Middle School drill team to statewide victories, a feat that directly inspired a young Misty to follow suit and take the helm of the team herself.

This shared love for movement wasn’t just recreational—it symbolized the sisters’ unbreakable bond forged in the fires of instability, including periods of homelessness and their mother’s gruelling work hours.

Misty has often credited Erica with sparking her initial interest in performance arts, noting in her memoir Life in Motion how her sister’s confidence on stage gave her the courage to step into ballet at age 13. Today, Erica remains a confidante and cheerleader, embodying the full-sibling solidarity that grounded Misty amid the rigors of professional dance.

Christopher Ryan Copeland

Christopher Ryan Copeland, another of Misty‘s full brothers from her parents’ union, has long been the steady anchor in a family often adrift due to relocations and relational shifts.

Born before Misty and sharing her early years in San Pedro, Christopher grew up navigating the same cramped living conditions—from motels like the Sunset Inn in Gardena to shared motel rooms—that tested the Copeland children’s resolve.

Unlike Misty’s high-profile trajectory, Christopher has chosen a life away from the spotlight, with scant public details about his career or personal endeavors. Yet, his presence in family narratives speaks volumes: childhood photos capture him alongside siblings Doug Jr. and Erica, laughing and supporting one another through adversity.

Misty has described her brothers, including Christopher, as protective figures who shielded the younger ones during tough times, fostering the resilience that later defined her barrier-breaking career.

In the constellation of Copeland siblings, Christopher represents quiet strength, a reminder of the familial roots that keep Misty connected to her origins even as she graces international stages.

Douglas Copeland Jr.

Rounding out Misty‘s full siblings is Douglas Copeland Jr., her older brother, who shares the indelible mark of their father’s early absence and mother’s unyielding determination.

As the son of Doug Copeland and Sylvia DelaCerna, Douglas Jr. was part of the core quartet—Misty, Erica, Christopher, and himself—that weathered the family’s most formative challenges in the 1980s and ’90s. Often referred to simply as “Doug Jr.” in family lore, he embodies the understated heroism of siblings who prioritize unity over individual acclaim.

Public glimpses of Douglas are rare, limited to nostalgic anecdotes from Misty‘s biographies where she recalls the brothers’ roles in keeping the family afloat during lean times. His relationship with Misty highlights the profound impact of full-sibling ties; they not only shared DNA but also the raw experiences of poverty and transience that fueled Misty‘s drive to transcend her circumstances.

Douglas Jr.‘s enduring support has been a quiet force, reinforcing the theme that behind every prima ballerina is a network of kin who believed in her first.

Misty Copeland‘s siblings, with their diverse paths and shared history, illustrate the multifaceted nature of family in shaping a legend. From the dance-floor inspirations of Erica to the athletic prowess of Lindsey, each has contributed to the unyielding spirit that carried Misty from a San Pedro dance studio to the pinnacle of ballet.