Ariana DeBose’s mother has died aged 57 following a three year battle with cancer.

The 34-year-old star of West Side Story shared the heartbreaking news of Gina Michelle DeBose’s passing on social media, explaining that she succumbed to complications arising from stage 3 ovarian cancer.

Accompanying various photos with her mother, DeBose expressed: ‘At 10:28 am on August 17th, my beautiful, funny, outspoken, warrior queen Mother – Gina Michelle DeBose – departed this life after battling stage 3 ovarian cancer complications.

‘I couldn’t be more proud of her and how she fought this insidious disease over the past 3 years. She was 57 years young.

She was my beloved person, my staunchest supporter, and my most honest critic. My best friend. She accompanied me to every significant occasion in both my professional and personal journey – and I couldn’t imagine it any differently. It had always been just the two of us for as far back as I can recall.

‘Through lean times, and there were many of those & green times. She fought like hell to give me a good life, a good education and every opportunity in the world. 

Ariana DeBose’s mother Gina has died aged 57 following a three year battle with cancer

The West Side Story star, 34, announced the devastating loss of Gina Michelle DeBose in a social media statement – revealing she passed away ‘due to complications with stage 3 ovarian cancer’

‘I wouldn’t be where I am without her. I meant it when I said my Oscar “is just as much hers as it is mine.”

‘My mom loved to paint, play cards, listen to good music & snuggle with her cats; but her life’s purpose, aside from being my mom, was educating young people. 

‘She passed just shy of delivering 30 years of service as a public school teacher (most currently 8th grade social studies). 

‘And, my god, did she thrive in a classroom. Her creativity knew no bounds. She was beloved and incredibly respected by her colleagues and students alike. 

‘The greatest advocate for the underdog, a believer in arts education and the smartest person I know – with a willingness to speak her mind regardless of the consequences. 

‘But she was also a heart forward individual who believed in hard work, compassion and empathy in the same breath.

‘I know that many people in her community will feel the loss of her deeply for she was her own brand of local celebrity. She was a force of epic proportion.

‘For the record: my greatest and most proud achievement will always be to have made her proud.

DeBose memorably lauded her mother as she picked up the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2022 , saying: ‘My mother, who is here tonight. Mama, I love you with my whole heart, and this is as much yours as it is mine’ – pictured

DeBose wrote: ‘Her creativity knew no bounds. She was beloved and incredibly respected by her colleagues and students alike’

‘I love you mommy. Now travel amongst the seas, the winds and the angels as I know you always loved to do’

Debose previously revealed her mom visited her on the set of West Side Story – in which she played Anita – and was ‘starstruck’ by director Steven Spielberg

‘I love you mommy. Now travel amongst the seas, the winds and the angels as I know you always loved to do.

DeBose memorably lauded her mother as she picked up the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2022 , saying: ‘My mother, who is here tonight. Mama, I love you with my whole heart, and this is as much yours as it is mine.’ 

The actress – who played Anita in West Side Story – also recounted how her mom visited her on the set of the Steven Spielberg blockbuster and was left starstruck by the director.

She said: ‘Watching Gina become speechless was amazing. Love you, Mom.’