Dancer, choreographer, actress and teacher Carmen de Lavallade, one of the pioneers of American modern dance, and the first prima ballerina of Creole descent to perform at New York's Metropolitan Opera, died on Dec. 29, 2025 at age 94.

Carmen de Lavallade, a renowned dancer and choreographer, is celebrated for her significant impact on American modern dance and her role as a trailblazer for black artists. Her career, which began amid racial barriers, includes introducing Alvin Ailey to dance, performing on Broadway, and breaking ground at the Metropolitan Opera and Yale School of Drama.

De Lavallade's personal and professional journey is marked by her partnership with Jeffrey Holder and her continued advocacy for justice in the arts. She recently joined other Kennedy Center honorees in boycotting a White House reception, emphasizing her lifelong commitment to integrity and the value of her work.

Pioneering dancer and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade

The elegant 86-year-old in pink, putting young members of the Dance Theater of Harlem through their paces, lighten up, lighten up, just happens to be one of the pioneers of American modern dance, Carmen DeLavalade. What was it always that you have hoped that audiences would get from seeing you dance over the years? The connection, because I don't feel that I'm there just dancing for myself, you know. I'm dancing for the audience. The remarkable journey of this California bricklayer's daughter is being saluted this weekend with the Kennedy Center Honor. It's a story that begins when even getting dance lessons was a challenge. In those days, there were very few people who would take you if you were colored, and if you did get into a dance studio, there were white students who would walk up. But her talent triumphed. While still in high school, DeLavalade won a place in a prestigious L.A. dance company, and she didn't go alone. You have a high school friend who you thought might turn out to be a pretty good dancer? Oh, well, yes. Oh, you're talking about Alvin? Oh, dear. Alvin Ailey. That's right, Carmen DeLavalade introduced Alvin Ailey to the world of dance, and they were partners for years. In 1954, they were invited to perform in House of Flowers, an all-black Broadway show. But it was a cast member from Trinidad who won her heart, Jeffrey Holder. They were married within three months. What was it about him that attracted you? Well, you know, I must say that he allowed me to be who I am. We didn't get in each other's way. A Tony Award-winning director for The Wiz, Holder often created both dances and costumes for his wife. Look at the work on this. Well, yeah. Well, this is really, look at this work. And these are things that he designed for you? Yes. He designed the work and where to put what. The mementos of their life together are stored here, in this cavernous Harlem warehouse. This is amazing. I lived with this all my life. First, all this stuff was in your apartment before you got the storage space? Yes, yes. Since Holder's death in 2014, DeLavalade and her son, Leo, have been cataloging every piece. This is young Truman Capote. Yes. There he is. And recalling the stories that go with them. She was one of the first black dancers at the Metropolitan Opera, where she also became a choreographer, and she joined the faculty of the Yale School of Drama, teaching actors how to move. Lunge. Hands. Fingers. Tips. She is still performing, but she has never forgotten the lessons of history and the injustice she and other black artists have faced. And so, DeLavalade became one of the Kennedy Center honorees who announced she would boycott the now-canceled White House reception, after President Trump seemed to equate white nationalists who marched in Charlottesville with protesters who opposed them. I'm not political. You know, I will just... I have my own way of being political. That's the first time I've ever felt that I just can't. Some people would say, well, even so, he's our president, and it's just fitting to go. I am 86 now. I have all these years I have done what anybody asked me to. And this is the first time in my life I've ever said no. And I think at this time it's my privilege. But Carmen DeLavalade will be there at tonight's Kennedy Center Gala, savoring her award for a life well danced. I'm glad to think that whatever I did meant something. It really meant something. That's what I'm pleased about.

U.S. forces have boarded a Venezuela-linked sanctioned oil tanker in the North Atlantic after pursuing it for weeks. The U.S. military also announced the seizure of a sanctioned tanker ship in the Caribbean Sea, the second vessel taken by American forces on Wednesday.

Venezuela Strikes

U.S. seizes two more sanctioned oil tankers with links to Venezuela

A woman was fatally shot by an ICE officer Wednesday morning in Minneapolis, the Department of Homeland Security says. CBS News' Nicole Sganga reports from the scene.

Minneapolis

Protesters gather after ICE shoots and kills woman in Minneapolis

The U.S. seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker that was being shadowed by a Russian submarine on Wednesday (Jan. 7), after a more than two-week-long pursuit across the Atlantic as part of a U.S. "blockade" of Venezuelan oil exports.

U.S. seizes Venezuela-linked oil tanker after weeks-long pursuit

Nick Reiner, the son of Rob and Michele Reiner, is set to be arraigned in the killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. It comes as details emerge about his time in custody and how his mental health history could play a role in his case.

Los Angeles

Nick Reiner due in court on murder charges

Flights across France and Belgium and Eurostar train services have been severely disrupted by the winter weather.

Paris

Eurostar trains and hundreds of flights cancelled amid heavy snowfall

President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday urged security forces to distinguish between what he called rioters and protesters, urging them not to target peaceful demonstrators.

Tehran

Iran's President urges security forces not to target protesters

In Iran, protests that broke out on December 28th over the soaring cost of living look set to continue. Security forces fired tear gas at demonstrators in Tehran's Grand Bazaar on January 6: without giving numbers, Iran's IRNA news agency said 'some' people were arrested.

Death toll rises as Iran's security forces clash with protesters

Members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are reacting to the Trump administration's comments on a potential Greenland takeover from Denmark.

Nuuk

European leaders blast Trump over Greenland takeover discussions

Donald Trump says Venezuela will hand over as much as 50 million barrels of oil and he will control the profits.

Washington

Trump says Venezuela will turn over 30-50 million barrels of oil

Britain and France have said they could send troops to Ukraine if a ceasefire is agreed. The pledge came at a Paris meeting of 30 nations, including the US, on security guarantees demanded by Kyiv before any peace deal.

London

Ukraine Invasion

UK, France ready to deploy troops in Ukraine after ceasefire

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he would “take up arms” in the face of threats issued by US President Donald Trump.

Bogotá

Colombia vows to defend its sovereignty amid Trump’s military threats

Israeli forces storm Birzeit University in the occupied West Bank soon after students begin a sit-in in solidarity with jailed Palestinians.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israeli school assault wounds dozens of Palestinians in West Bank raid

The White House says U.S. President Donald Trump and his team are considering a range of options in efforts to acquire Greenland as the ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro continues to reverberate in the Western Hemisphere.

Trump sees acquiring Greenland as a national security priority

The United States for the first time backed a broad coalition of Ukraine's allies in vowing to provide security guarantees that leaders said would include binding commitments to support the country if it is attacked by Russia again.

U.S. backs security guarantees for Ukraine at summit of Kyiv's allies

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed deep concern over recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, calling for the immediate release of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.

Soweto

Ramaphosa urges UN action after U.S. capture of Maduro

At least 25 people have been killed in Iran during the first nine days of protests that started in the bazaar of Tehran over the plunging value of the currency and soaring inflation, according to rights groups. This video contains graphic images.

Rights groups say at least 25 dead in Iran protests

The administration of President Donald Trump is planning to meet with executives from U.S. oil companies later this week to discuss boosting Venezuelan oil production after U.S. forces ousted its leader Nicolas Maduro, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Trump administration sets meetings with oil firms on Venezuela: source

Uncertainty in Venezuela has crossed into neighboring Colombia, especially after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Colombian President Gustavo Petro could face U.S. action following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

Tension rises in Colombia after Maduro’s capture

Nicolas Maduro appeared in a US courtroom on January 5, 2026. He pleaded "Not Guilty" to drug trafficking and other charges, insisting he is still Venezuela's president. Maduro's kidnapping is being justified by the Trump administration as a "surgical law enforcement operation", but what proof is the case resting on?

New York

Maduro pleads 'not guilty' in U.S. drug trafficking case

Local authorities in Crans-Montana admitted failing to conduct fire and safety inspections at Le Constellation bar, where a fire killed 40 and injured 116 during New Year celebrations.

Crans-Montana

Swiss Alps bar not inspected for five years prior to deadly fire

Twelve Israeli military vehicles have entered the Quneitra countryside in southern Syria. Several villages there have been the target of repeated Israeli raids in recent months. Tuesday's incursions come as discussions between an Israeli and Syrian delegation are expected to continue in Paris - mediated and coordinated by the U.S.

Beit Jinn

Israeli army vehicles enter southern Syria ahead of Paris talks

Following the largest anti-corruption investigation of his presidency, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has launched a significant shake-up of the government and his office, with a series of dismissals and appointments in top political and security roles.

Kyiv

Ukraine's security service chief resigns amid Zelenskyy's reshuffle

The capture of Nicolás Maduro is prompting strong reaction from Venezuelans in the United States, and those who fled across the border into Colombia. Lilia Luciano has more on the two women vying to lead the country. Then, Cristian Benavides reports on opposing viewpoints on U.S. intervention.

Caracas

Two women vying to run Venezuela amid opposing viewpoints

Police and the Secret Service are investigating a break-in at Vice President JD Vance's Ohio home. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul has more.

Cincinnati

Vice President JD Vance's Ohio home broken into

Ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty Monday to federal drug trafficking and weapons charges, days after they were captured by U.S. military forces in a stunning overnight operation and brought to New York City for prosecution.

Manhattan

Maduro, wife plead not guilty to charges in New York

A Paris court on Monday (January 5) found 10 people guilty of the cyber-harassment of France's first lady, Brigitte Macron, for spreading false claims that she is a transgender woman who was born male.

Ten convicted for cyber-bullying France's Brigitte Macron

Nicolás Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, was officially sworn in as Venezuela's acting president. President Donald Trump warned he could go after her if she doesn't comply with U.S. demands, including access to the country's oil supply.

Trump says U.S. "in charge" of Venezuela

A Paris ​court on Monday found ten people guilty ⁠of the cyber-harassment of France's first lady, Brigitte Macron, for spreading false claims she is a transgender ​woman who was born a man. The court convicted all defendants to sentences ranging from a cyberbullying awareness training to 8-month suspended prison sentences.

Ten people found guilty of cyberbullying Brigitte Macron

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is set to appear in a U.S. court on Monday (January 5) on drug charges after his controversial capture by American forces. President Donald Trump says he could order another strike if Venezuela’s interim government doesn’t cooperate.

Trump warns of second strike as Maduro faces U.S. drug charges

Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is being housed at Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn, after he was captured by U.S. forces and flown to New York to face federal drug trafficking and weapons charges.

Breakdown