Former Mob Wives star Drita D’Avanzo released a video about the late Angela “Big Ang” Raiola with the help of rapper, Jojo Pellegrino. The song is titled “Big Angel” and features quotes, moments from Angela’s life, and Drita’s memories. The song is touching, sweet, and will bring tears to your eyes as you remember Angela’s smile, laugh, and kind heart. D’Avanzo sat down with Slive to talk about Big Ang, Mob Wives, and what’s next for her.
The song highlights Big Ang’s big heart and how she was always there for everyone else. It was hard for her family to accept that she was sick because she was the glue that held the family together. Former Mob Wives star Renee Graziano said that you could call her in the middle of the night, and if you needed her, she was there, “no questions asked.”
throwback to the stunning #MobWives season 4 look for Big Ang! A legend to never be forgotten. ???? #RIPBigAng pic.twitter.com/CsQhmcwJzt
— Mob Wives (@MobWivesSupport) April 15, 2016
The song continues by stating that so many came when they laid her to rest because you couldn’t forget her smile and laugh.
“The whole world knew who Big Ang was. She was more than just a Mob Wives star. Angela raised money for charities. She was larger than life,” Jojo rapped. Raiola had a huge heart and couldn’t stand to think someone had nothing while she was fortunate. At Christmas time, Big Ang would raise money and donate to make sure the kids in Staten Island area had a good Christmas with gifts and food to eat.
“Big Ang, rest in peace. You will be forever missed.”
Angela’s best friend, Drita D’Avanzo, told Staten Island Live that she was more than a co-worker, she was her best friend. D’Avanzo noted that it was hard to move on without Raiola because she added so much to her life. D’Avanzo admitted that she still has some bad days when she cannot believe that Raiola is gone.
“Life without Ang is horrendous. When you’re so used to having someone in your life, it’s just so hard. And my brother-in-law passed away a couple days before she died. So I was just a wreck at her wake. I didn’t do any appearances because, look, Drita is human and this is a huge loss, so the last thing I wanted to do was do my hair. I’m just a person who lost a great friend. I’m destroyed and I’m not happy.”
Drita explained that she probably wouldn’t do another reality TV show. It wasn’t a good experience for her, and with Raiola gone, she thinks it would be pure torture.
“I probably wouldn’t do it again, though. I used it as a platform for my store and the things I wanted to do, but I went into that show being told it was a show about women empowering women. But that wasn’t the case. “
@DritaDavanzo I love this hoodie is this one of yours #dritasmob pic.twitter.com/e8qdHhPC1Y
— Danielle White (@elledub83) March 16, 2016
Drita explained that when Angela told her she had stage 4 cancer, she felt like she lost her immediately. She remembers telling her that she will beat this because she’s a fighter, but within six weeks she was gone.
“Our friendship wasn’t just on the show. It was about: ‘How long should I leave this roast on?’ Or we’d go shopping together, things like that. When she died, it felt like someone ripped my heart out. When she told me she had stage 4 cancer, I felt like I already lost her because I had other people who died from that. I had faith and wished she could beat it, but it spread so fast.”
Mob Wives fans were shocked when Angela Raiola passed away at the age of 55 in February. She may be gone from this world, but she will live forever in our hearts. Tell us what you think about Big Ang’s tribute song and video in the comments below and come back later for the latest Mob Wives news and updates.
[Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for VH1]