In 1995, Rita Lee dressed as a saint and angered the Church [FLASHBACK]

Rita Lee, one of the greatest singers and songwriters in the history of Brazilian music, died on Monday night (8), aged 75. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021 and entered remission from the disease in April of this year. In February of this year, she was again rushed to the Albert Einstein Hospital for monitoring tests and the side effects of the treatment.

During a presentation held on February 4, 1995, in Rio de Janeiro, honoring the stigmas of being “mutant” and “rebel”, the singer dressed in a costume that resembled Nossa Senhora Aparecida, considered by the Catholic Church to be the patron saint of Brazil, and prayed “Ave Maria” before playing the song “All the Women in the World”.

At the time, the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro released an official note of protest that blamed “those responsible and also the sponsors of these stagings”. Check out the full statement and images of the costume used by Rita:

“Among others, a sign of serious moral decomposition was the show recently performed at Maracanã. In addition to drugs and the exhibition of nudity, they confronted the religious feelings of the majority of the population by involving the figure of the Virgin Mary with so many offenses to her Son. Those responsible they are also the sponsors of these performances and the spectators who, with their presence, supported such violations. This act of rejection is an imperative duty of Catholics and people of common sense”.

The costume was later exhibited at the Museu da Imagem e do Som (MIS) in an exhibition that celebrated the 73 years of Rita Lee and was open to the public until November 2021.

The show, which was curated by John Leethe artist’s son, presented iconic costumes worn by Rita Leeand, articles from the singer’s childhood and features installations that represent the romances and difficult times she experienced during the military dictatorship.

Although she was known as the Queen of Rock, the artist declared to Rolling Stone Brazil who found the term corny. In fact, his work surpassed musical genres, temporality and society’s stigmas. In November of last year, Rita Lee was the cover of the special digital edition of Rolling Stone Brazil. Watch the interview by clicking here.