Misty Copeland came out with a new commercial for Under Armour that showed the world that ballet dancers are tough like professional athletes. While the Under Armour commercial show Misty’s toned muscles, super buff arms and steely determination, it doesn’t quite show all the shocking details of her journey to become a soloist at American Ballet Theater.

Watch the Under Armour commercial featuring Misty Copeland here:

Shocking Fact #1: Misty Won her first solo role just after eight months of studying ballet

Misty Copeland started her ballet training at her local Boys & Girls Club and just eight months after, landed the role of Clara in ‘Nutcracker’ ballet. She had a great teacher Cynthia Bradley, who supported Misty through the thick and thin of starting her ballet training.

Shocking Fact #2: Misty was rejected from New York City Ballet

She auditioned for summer programs of all the famous ballet companies and got into San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem and Pacific Northwest Ballet. But she had to learn rejections early because she didn’t get an offer from New York City ballet

Shocking Fact #3: Misty ran away from home to keep dancing

She ran away from home for three days to file the emancipation petition. Misty Copeland was scared that her mother will prevent her from pursuing dancing. After weeks of drama, in which Misty was taken to the police station, she decided to drop the case when her mother declared that she had no intentions of limiting her daughter’s career.

Shocking Fact $4: Misty was one of six dancers who were selected out 150 Summer Intensive Program dancers to join American Ballet Theater

Misty spent a summer in New York, following her dream of becoming an American Ballet Theater corps member. She was offered a position, but eventually turned it down due to her mother’s insistence to finish high school in California. Despite American Ballet Theater’s generous package to help Misty stay in New York and finish school, she went back home.

Shocking Fact #5: Misty’s body was never right for ballet

As said in the 60-second spot for Under Armour, the 32-year-old soloist for the American Ballet Theater was always told that she had the wrong body for ballet. Her feet were too big and her legs didn’t turn out very well.

Watch ‘A Day in a Life’ of soloist Misty Copeland on Hulu:

https://www.hulu.com/watch/277572#i0,p4,d0