Rita Moreno, Ariana DeBose, Catherine Zeta-Jones and other stars paid tribute to Broadway star Chita Rivera (pictured) after her death. File photo by Dennis Van Tine/UPI
Chita Rivera arrives on the red carpet at the 2018 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. File photo by Serena Xu-Ning/UPI
Rita Moreno attends the Los Angeles premiere of “80 For Brady” in 2023. File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Ariana DeBose attends the Critics' Choice Awards on January 14th. File photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
Catherine Zeta-Jones attends the opening gala of the Cannes Film Festival in May. File photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI
Jan. 31 (UPI) — Celebrities are honoring late Broadway star Chita Rivera.
Rita Moreno, Ariana DeBose, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Debbie Allen and other stars paid tribute to Rivera on social media Tuesday following her death.
Advertising
Rivera, a Tony Award-winning singer and actress who originated the role of Anita in the Broadway musical West Side Story and Velma Kelly in Chicago, died Tuesday at age 91.
Moreno, who played Anita in the 1961 film adaptation of “West Side Story,” remembered Rivera as “the essence of Broadway.”
“Chita Rivera is eternal. I remember seeing her for the first time in “Mr. “Wonderful” and exclaimed, “Oh my God, who is that?” Moreno wrote on Instagram.
“Over the years we have sometimes been mistaken for one another, which I always considered a badge of honor,” she added. “She was the essence of Broadway. As I write this, I raise a glass to this remarkable woman and friend. Chita, amiga, Salud!”
DeBose, who portrayed Anita in the 2021 West Side Story adaptation, called Rivera “a force.”
“She was a force. In fact, she made me nervous. To be in her presence was to see greatness. I always felt like she had great expectations, but none greater than what she held herself to…,” DeBose said on Instagram. “I am heartbroken yet always inspired as she showed so many of us what was possible. Rest well, queen. #ChitaRivera.”
Zeta-Jones, who played Velma in the 2002 film adaptation of Chicago, recounted Rivera's “incredible influence” on her life.
“There are no words to tell you what an incredible impact you have had on my life. From dreaming of being you as a little girl, to meeting you and connecting with you deeply through playing the one and only Velma Kelly in Chicago,” Zeta-Jones wrote on Instagram. “There will never, ever be anyone like you “, Chita. Dim the lights on Broadway! Or, may I suggest, let's just unplug. I love you, Chita, sleep well, my queen.”
Allen, who portrayed Anita in the 1980 Broadway revival of West Side Story, remembered Rivera as a mentor and friend.
“My mentor, my friend, our goddess of inspiration and joy – thank you,” Allen said on Instagram. “Every moment of your life has been a treasure of what is possible. I will miss touching you, but I will forever hear your laughter and hold the staff of power you threw to me.”
Comments are closed.