Rita Lee, who would be 77 years old, inspires young drag queen: ‘Illuminates and protects’

When Rita Lee died, prop artist Arthur Diniz went to the wake and heard a request from the singer’s sister. Excited, Virgínia Lee advised the 21-year-old to continue performing as Elke Jones, a drag queen that mixes Elke Maravilha and the rocker.

“She said that Rita would be illuminating my path in artistic life”, he says, remembering the meeting at the planetarium in Ibirapuera Park, where hundreds of fans said goodbye to the singer who is the most complete translation of São Paulo.

Rita, who would have celebrated her birthday this December 31st, never left the artist’s routine again. Arthur has already done several shows as the singer and made props for the show “Rita Lee – a musical autobiography”, with Mel Lisboa, including the dog that was best friend of the artist, the marijuana used in the scene with the police, the hat from the band Tutti Frutti and the unbelievable LSD necklace.

Precocious, Arthur became a fan of Elis Regina at the age of 8. He listened to all of the artist’s albums, read books and discovered the historic visit made by Pimentinha to Rita Lee when the latter was arrested for possession of marijuana, pregnant and in the middle of the military dictatorship.

After the “introduction” made by Elis, he became a fan of Rita’s music, costumes and transgressive stance. At the age of 11, he chose “Mamãe Natureza” as his freedom anthem for adolescence.

He then began a long-distance relationship with idol. She sent love letters, drawings and reflected on the lack of representation of the singer in the LGBTQUIA+ universe. Elke Jones was born there.

“I bought a red wig and painted silver boots. I left Ribeirão Preto to debut my drag in São Paulo, on the Studio SP stage, on Rua Augusta, in a performance with the Ritaleena block”, he says.

The rocker was informed about the birth of her drag “daughter”, in the last letter sent by the young artist, which arrived accompanied by a photo. Rita did not respond to correspondence, but Arthur learned, from other sources, that she appreciated the tribute.

Already working on the musical, he met Roberto de Carvalho, musician and Rita’s widower, and the two exchanged impressions about her power in both their lives. Arthur believes that the singer opens doors for his career. “I’m in the process of understanding who I am and what’s left of me after this whole situation”, declared Roberto after his death, revealing his symbiosis with his wife.

Rita was already retired and a recluse when Arthur fell in love and, therefore, he did not have the chance to attend the shows of the person he idolized so much. A shame. He would love it.

“What comforts me is that every now and then she appears in my dreams, gives tips and even costume ideas”, says the SP Escola de Teatro student. “I think a lot about her energy on December 31st and New Year’s Eve. I believe she left a star in my heart, which illuminates and protects.”