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Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose is mourning the loss of her mother, Gina Michelle DeBose, who has died at age 57 after battling Stage 3 ovarian cancer. <\/p>\n
The \u201cWest Side Story\u201d actor<\/a> and Broadway star announced her mother\u2019s death Tuesday on Instagram<\/a>, sharing photos of the two of them over the years \u2014 from the younger DeBose\u2019s childhood to her historic win<\/a> at the Academy Awards in 2022. <\/p>\n \u201cI couldn\u2019t be more proud of her and how she fought this insidious disease over the past 3 years,\u201d DeBose wrote. <\/p>\n Ariana DeBose, 34, said in her tribute that her mother was her \u201cfavorite person, my biggest fan and toughest critic. My best friend.\u201d The \u201cLove Hurts\u201d actor said her mother \u201cfought like hell\u201d to support her daughter\u2019s ambitions, adding that her accolades \u2014 which include BAFTA, Critics\u2019 Choice and Golden Globe awards \u2014 belong equally to her mother. <\/p>\n The actor said her mother was a longtime public school teacher who devoted her life to educating young people. She was \u201cthe greatest advocate\u201d for arts education, she said, adding that the death of the elder DeBose would deeply impact her mother\u2019s community: \u201cShe was a force of epic proportion.\u201d<\/p>\n Actors including \u201cAbbott Elementary\u201d star Quinta Brunson<\/a>, \u201cInsecure\u201d alumna Yvonne Orji, former \u201cDancing With the Stars\u201d pro Julianne Hough and celebrity fitness trainer Amanda Kloots rallied around DeBose in the comments section as she broke the news. In addition to paying tribute to her mother, DeBose highlighted<\/a> several<\/a> charities<\/a> where supporters could donate in her mother\u2019s honor. <\/p>\n \u201cMy greatest and most proud achievement will always be to have made her proud,\u201d DeBose wrote. \u201cI love you mommy. Now travel amongst the seas, the winds and the angels as I know you always loved to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n