MEXICO CITY (AP) — Tongolele, the enduring American dancer who remodeled the nightlife scene in mid-Twentieth century Mexico Metropolis together with her hip actions to the sound of drums, has died on the age of 93.
Mexico’s secretary of tradition introduced her loss of life Monday on X.
“Her stage presence and unique style made her a benchmark of entertainment in Mexico. Rest in peace,” it stated. A number of media shops reported that she died Sunday night time.
She had an unmistakable magnificence with a tuft of white hair, feline eyes that modified shade between blue, inexperienced and violet, in addition to an imposing physique. Her provocative type initially drew public criticism, however her vibrant character gained her friendships with everybody from former Mexican presidents to a number of the most influential Mexican artists and writers of the day.
“I by no means thought, ‘I want to be famous.’ I just wanted to dance,” she said in a 2014 interview with The Associated Press at her Mexico City home. “I didn’t even understand that I used to be a star of the present, I didn’t even know I used to be profitable, I used to be simply joyful dancing.”
Born Yolanda Ivonne Montes Farrington on Jan. 3, 1932 in Spokane, Washington, she started dancing on the age of 15. Simply months later, she was performing in theaters throughout Mexico, from Tijuana to Mérida, the place she stated a feminine boss pressured her to take a stage title. She selected Tongolele, impressed by African and Tahitian tradition.
Her profession skyrocketed as she headlined Mexico Metropolis’s premier theaters, resulting in roles in movies like “Mátenme porque me muero,” “Amor de locura” and “Han matado a Tongolele,” which was named after her.
Tongolele’s profession was celebrated with the Agustín Lara award in 2012, honoring her inventive contributions and 65 years on stage.
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Comply with AP’s protection of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
