Ariana DeBose honors Chita Rivera during ‘West Side Story’ tribute at the 2024 Tonys

The 2024 Tony Awards are a heartfelt tribute to the late Chita Rivera through Ariana DeBose.

DeBose, who returned to host the annual awards show for the third time, shared how important Rivera is to her.

“In January, we lost one of cinema’s brightest lights, the irreplaceable Chita Rivera,” DeBose said. on the stage. “Literally, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Chita paving the way for everyone who followed. Because of her, I am. Chita of all of us, we will always love you.”

DeBose then burst into a dance West Side Story “America” ​​with a group of dancers, recreates the iconic dance Rivera danced in the 1957 Broadway production of the iconic musical.

In 2021, DeBose was cast in Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation of the musical as Anita, a role Rivera originated on Broadway. DeBose’s performance was praised by critics, earning her the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. – Motion Picture, BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture. a supporting role and an Oscar for best supporting actress.

READ MORE: Broadway mourns as ‘West Side Story’ legend Chita Rivera passes away at 91

Notably, DeBose became the first Queer Latina to win an Academy Award and the second person to win the Award while playing opposite an actress. In 1961, Rita Moreno won the same award for playing Anita in the film adaptation of the 1961 musical.

Elsewhere in the tribute show, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Audra McDonald and Bebe Neuwirth also remembered Rivera’s legacy and impact on Broadway.

“Anyone who knows Chita has a great friend and an even better role model. Everything I know about being a leading actor on Broadway, I learned from [Chita]. “The iconic characters she created are unforgettable,” Mitchell said. “Chita has redefined what it means to be a Latina in entertainment. She has inspired generations of women. If she can do it, they can do it too.”

Ariana DeBose remembers Chita Rivera #TonyAwards pic.twitter.com/pBiVIwLvxm

– Hollywood Deadline (@DEADLINE) June 17, 2024

Outside of Anita West Side StoryRivera also played the role of Rose in Goodbye BirdyVelma Kelly in Chicagoaurora in Spiderman’s kissand Anna in rink.

Rivera was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won two for Best Actress in a Musical and a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement.

READ MORE: Chita Rivera’s cause of death revealed: Broadway icon dies at 91

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