Tony award-winning actor, dancer, and singer Ben Vereen spoke at the red carpet of the 2025 Chita Rivera Awards.
Vereen was the 2025 “Lifetime Achievement” Award recipient of this year’s Chita Rivera Awards ceremony.
The 2025 Chita Rivera Awards took place on Monday, May 19th at the NYU Skirball Center in Manhattan, which honors excellence in dance and choreography across stage and screen.
Vereen on his Lifetime Achievement Award
Vereen was presented his 2025 “Lifetime Achievement Award” by his godson, global music star Usher and Stephen Schwartz.
“It feels wonderful,” he exclaimed about the recognition. “How can I not feel wonderful? Chita Rivera was my baby. I’m glad that you are here because you’ve got to keep the message going; you’ve got to keep the word going.”
Vereen on the importance of preserving the arts
“We must preserve the arts,” he underscored. “They will not push us back. The arts are important; they are our civilization. Without the arts, we do not exist. So, please don’t let them push us back.”
Vereen offers advice for young and emerging performers
For young and aspiring performers, Vereen said, “Keep going forward. Give them the arts, and it’s not up to the government. It’s up to us as individuals; it’s up to us to put the funds for our children.”
“We have a foundation here, which needs funding, so the children in the streets can have a place to go to. That’s the message,” he underscored.
The mission of the Chita Rivera Awards is to celebrate dance and choreographic excellence, preserve notable dance history, recognize past, present, and future talents, while promoting high standards in dance education and investing in the next generation.
2025 Spring GALA of The York Theatre Company
Earlier this spring, he was happy to be a part of the York Theatre Company Spring GALA, which honored Tony-nominated producers Tom and Michael D’Angora. “That was great,” he recalled.
To learn more about iconic entertainer Ben Vereen, visit his Linktree page.
