1 of 3 Ibirapuera Planetarium at the end of Rita Lee’s Body Watch — Photo: Camila Quaresma/g1 Ibirapuera Planetarium at the end of Rita Lee’s Body Watch — Photo: Camila Quaresma/g1
An unobtrusive point of light shone over Rita Lee’s coffin. You had to look closely to find it. As a farewell, the family wore a small star sticker on the right breast. Light and star were the most commonly used adjectives to describe the artist. Either by the painter and sculptor Antonio Peticov or by the fan with the Chorão Tshirt and teary eyes.
At the Ibirapuera Planetarium, where the funeral service for the singer’s body was held, there are two entrances: one for family and friends, and another for fans who were waiting in line. Some sing. Some cry. Some wore props resembling Rita. In the room where the wake was taking place, the silence was broken by sobs.
On the other hand, moderator Serginho Groisman spoke about the lyrics of “Reza”. Around 1 p.m., a wreath arrived from Caetano Veloso and Paula Lavigne. Those who arrived at the family gate went through a list those who weren’t there called themselves João Lee. The son walked more than twenty times and greeted everyone with a hug. Quietly speaking, he was the one who solved everything. He said many projects were underway with his mother’s involvement. Hours later, he confessed that he was “automatically” exhausted.
2 of 3 Famous Funeral of Rita Lee Photo: Celso Tavares/g1 Famous Funeral of Rita Lee Photo: Celso Tavares/g1
many famous
Two planted fans asked about the famous. “I didn’t see Casagrande, what a shame.” They waited for Paulo Ricardo, who wasn’t on the list. Expected, Xuxa arrived, accompanied by her husband Juno and their dog. Spoke to family outside then went inside. Screams on the way out. One fan said she accepted the hand of the queen of little ones even though the windows were closed.
Various displays of affection were shown at the ceremony. A fan sang an excerpt from the song “Everything Turns Shit”. A trio walked by wearing the clothes used on Mutantes’ first album. “Life is harder without her,” lamented one fan.
“A grandmother with a very childish side. [Arthur e a vó Rita] They were very close and had a lot of fun together,” said writer Camila Fremder. “We used to pray to Grandma Ritinha at night,” said Camila Frander, Arthur’s mother and Rita’s exdaughterinlaw.
3 of 3 VIP Attendee List Photo: Claudia C.Branco VIP Attendee List Photo: Claudia C.Branco
The constellation of Rita Lee
Carl Sagan often likens a telescope to a time machine: it is not possible to look at a star without looking into the past. It takes time for starlight to reach us. Rita’s has shone for 75 years.
And depending on the farewell, if the artist were a constellation, his stars would all be different, each with its splendor, its past and its history.
Xuxa, Wanessa, even a man dressed as Zorro. “She sent an audio like this: ‘Tell everyone to fuck off: you’re you and that’s it,'” says Luisa Mell.
In the constellation of Rita also shone Pedro Bial, Daniela Cicarelli, Rita Cadillac and Otávio Mesquista, who remembered when the singer asked his name to make a program. “I replied that I didn’t know and asked what I would win. She said ‘nothing’, kissed my forehead and left laughing.”
Stars the size of Antonio Petkov, Serginho Groisman and Paula Lima. Stars like a cover of Roberto Carlos, at least three people who always go to famous funerals, and fans who traveled hours to be there.
Fernanda Young’s three daughters spoke about it when their mother recorded GNT’s “Saia Justa” in the season Rita starred in. “The two of them were great together.” Maria Rita, Malu Mader and Sarah Oliveira. Each has a story to tell about Rita Lee.
And why the planetarium and not a wake in the Legislative Assembly? Rita has written about the universe in more than one song, for example, “What’s this rock ‘n’ roll thing gonna be?” One planet? A desert? Nobody has ever said that.”
And what happens when a star dies? In the case of Rita, it continues to shine. “She is very alive,” said Marina Lima, touched g1.
“Neither luxury nor rubbish”, if his dream was to be immortal, it was successfully realized, and amid applause and colors at the end of the night in an enchanted Ibirapuera. Rita’s body was taken to the crematorium at around 7:37 p.m. The fans said goodbye with the sound of “Ovelha Negra”.
Fans sing at Ibirapuera Park at the end of Rita Lee’s funeral
* Supervised by Cíntia Acayaba