. >> reporter: michaela deprince is one of the elite few chosen to compete with other young people from all over the world in ballet's ultimate challenge. the youth america grand prings. it can make or break a career. >> i can't see myself not dancing. >> reporter: it's that much apart of you? >> yeah, i think it's pretty much all of me. >> reporter: almost no one could have predicted her phenomenal success. captured in a new documentary called "first position." >> that's me and that's mia. >> reporter: born in africa, in war-torn sierra leone. >> my parents were shot by the rebels. and so my uncle brought me to the orphanage and -- i lived there. >> reporter: and it looked as if that was where she would remain, due in part toville lie go, when left her black skin spotted with white. she was called the devil child. no one wanted her. and then, elaine deprince and her husband arrived. >> so, i was in the process of adopting one child and i heard that there was another child they couldn't find a placement for, because she was spotted. so, we decided to take her, too. >> reporter: but long