Madonna is to direct a film based on the life of ballerina Michaela De Prince who is currrently second soloist at the Dutch National Ballet.

MGM bought the rights to De Prince’ book Taking Flight, From War Orphan to Star Ballerina, in 2015. The book follows her from being an orphan in Sierra Leona to world-renowed ballerina.

‘Michaela’s journey resonated with me deeply as both an artist and an activist who understands adversity,’ Madonna said in a National Ballet press statement. ‘We have a unique opportunity to shed light on Sierra Leone and let Michaela be the voice for all the orphaned children she grew up beside. I am honored to bring her story to life.’

De Prince started her career in the Netherlands as a member of the Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company in 2013 and was promoted a year later.

De Prince is also an ambassador for Dutch charity War Child. Director Tjipke Bergsma said news that the film is being made is ‘fantastic’.

‘Michaela shows that she has been able to use her talents to the full, despite coming from a war zone,’ Bergsma said. ‘She is a role model for the millions of children growing up in conflict.’