Pure disbelief was the only feeling I could conjure up as I scrolled through my twitter feed on September fourth. Joan Rivers, fashion icon, legendary comedian, actress, television host, writer, producer, and trailblazer had passed away. Tweet after tweet I read and re-read the morose words. The horrific truth that this pioneer of a woman had passed was finally beginning to set in. Although Rivers had been on life support for a few days, no one could prepare for such a tremendous loss.
Rivers was eighty-one years old, but no one would of known due to the star’s slight obsession with plastic surgery. However, no amount of Botox could conceal Rivers giant heart, and witty ways. We all know Rivers best as the co-host of E! Celebrity fashion show “Fashion Police”, and for starring in the reality series “Joan and Melissa: Joan knows best?” with her daughter Melissa Rivers. Rivers stature began long before her debut in these shows though; in 1965 she caught her first big break.
Rivers appeared as a guest on “The Tonight Show” hosted by Johnny Carson, and later became Carson’s permanent guest host, making appearances at least once a week. Rivers soon started her own rival program “The Late Show”, and then went on to host “The Joan Rivers show”, which won her an Emmy for outstanding talk show host. As an actress, Joan was nominated for the Tony award for best actress in a play in 1994 for her outstanding role as Sally Marr in “Sally Marr…. and Her Escorts”.
Rivers also appeared in a variety of movies, showing the world that she was a woman of several talents. Rivers was by far the most glamorous eighty one year old anyone has ever known. Candid, eccentric, and whimsical are only a few words that capture Rivers’ esteemed legacy. Rivers was a personal fashion icon to myself, so I know first hand just how heavy the hearts of thousands must feel. E! news shared a few of Rivers hilarious, and specific funeral wishes, which led me to fall in love with star all over again.
“I want to look gorgeous, better dead than I do alive. I want to be buried in a Valentino gown and I want Harry Winston to make me a toe bag.” Rivers said. Ironically the death of Rivers was the 33rd birthday for Beyoncé Knowles, and Rivers had a dying wish regarding Queen B herself. “And I want a wind machine so that even in the casket my hair is blowing like Beyoncé’s.” With that being said, we can only hope Rivers receives everything she so fancifully requested. RIP to an extravagant human being. You were one of a kind Joan Rivers, and you will be deeply missed.
