The 'Selma' filmmaker remembers the late rock and roll pioneer as she recalls how he helped her when she was a struggling college student waitressing in Los Angeles.
- May 10, 2020
AceShowbiz - Ava DuVernay revealed her special connection to the late Little Richard following his death on Saturday, May 9, 2020.
The rock and roll pioneer, full name Richard Penniman, passed away after years of battling poor health, his son Danny Penniman confirmed to Rolling Stone. In a statement obtained by People.com, Richard's agent, Dick Alen, said, "Little Richard passed away this morning from bone cancer in Nashville."
Taking to Twitter, the 47-year-old filmmaker shared that Richard regularly tipped her $100 every week when she was waitressing in Los Angeles decades ago.
"I served soul food brunch to Little Richard every Sunday for a year while waitressing at Aunt Kizzy's Back Porch in LA," she wrote. "I was a college student. He tipped me a crisp $100 bill each week on a $75 breakfast with friends."
The "Selma" star added, "This was 30 years ago. Helped me so much. God rest his soul."
Numerous stars have paid tribute to Richard, including America's former First Lady Michelle Obama, who shared, "With his exuberance, his creativity, and his refusal to be anything other than himself, Little Richard laid the foundation for generations of artists to follow. We are so lucky to have had him. Sending all my love to his family and friends today."
Filmmaker John Waters also paid tribute to the "Tutti Frutti" star, marvelling to Rolling Stone, "He was the first punk... He was the first everything."
Stars across the music world, including Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, and Elton John, also paid their respects to the late star.
