Ariana DeBose pens heartfelt tribute for her mother Gina Michelle as she dies after cancer battle

Ariana DeBose took to Instagram on Tuesday to pen a heartfelt tribute to her mother Gina Michelle DeBose, who died on Sunday morning "due to complications with stage 3 ovarian cancer" at 57.

DeBose posted a carousel of photos of her mother, along with the caption,

"I couldn't be more proud of her and how she fought this indidious disease over the past 3 years. She was 57 years young. She was my favorite person, my biggest fan and toughest critic. My best friend. She was my date to every important moment in my professional and personal life - and I wouldn't have it any other way."

She continued,

"It had been the two of us for as long as I can remember. Through lean times, and there were many of those & green times."

Who was Ariana DeBose's mother Gina?

Ariana mother, Gina Michelle DeBose was a public school teacher in North Carolina. DeBose affectionately called her mother "Miss Gina" during a 2022 conversation with People about her first three Tony Awards hosting gigs.

Ariana brought her mother to the 2018 Tony Awards when she was nominated.

In the tribute, Ariana looked back at her childhood and credited her mother for the efforts she put in raising her alone:

"She fought like hell to give me a good life, a good education and every opportunity in the world. I wouldn't be where I am without her."

The actress also included a slide of organizations that support cancer patients including, The National Ovarian Cancer Society, and Teal Diva.

The actress also added that her mother was "beloved and incredibly respected by her colleagues and students alike" as well as "many people in her community. She mentioned that the "greatest and most proud acheivement" would always be to "have made her proud."

She concluded the tribute with,

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"I love you mommy. Now travel amongst the seas, the winds and the angels as I know you always loved to do."

Ariana DeBose was born in Wilmington, North Carolina and raised in Raleigh. Ariana started dancing at age 3, mainly ballet, tap, and jazz. She also started acting and singing in the high school. Her first big break was So You Think You Can Dance in 2009, after which she made broadway appearances in Bring it On: The Musical in 2011 and shows like Motown: The Musical and Pippin.

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