On Saturday, Mob Wives reality TV star Angela “Big Ang” Raiola’s family and loved ones honored her in a disco-themed wake in Brooklyn, New York. Allegedly, Karen Gravano and Brittany Fogarty weren’t present — in fact, TMZ learned that they were banned from attending any of her memorial services. When TMZ pressed to find out the reason, they were told “no rats allowed to celebrate Angela’s life.”
Mob Wives stars Brittany and Karen were not able to attend Ang’s funeral services due to the sins their fathers committed nearly 30 years ago. It seems pretty unfair that that was the reason they were banned, and they were able to say goodbye to the larger-than-life reality TV star. However, Big Ang’s family felt that was what Angela wanted, and chose to honor it.
Big Ang’s funeral and memorial service details: https://t.co/wAnn8lPKiv pic.twitter.com/C4kNMHTmD8
— Us Weekly (@usweekly) February 19, 2016
The wake was held at a Brooklyn funeral home, and Big Ang was said to look beautiful in an open casket viewing. Carla Facciolo noted that she didn’t expect Big Ang to look anything less than glamorous. The cast walked away from the wake with tears in their eyes, and feeling extremely emotional. Drita D’Avanzo was a very close friend to Angela, so it should come as no surprise that she was present at the service. According to the reports , Drita is having a difficult time dealing with her death — and her loved ones are worried about her. It is apparent that saying goodbye to Big Ang was extremely taxing and difficult for Drita.
@DritaDavanzo this pic made me cry..I wanna give you a big hug, my heart goes out to you Drita #RIPBigAng #RIPLewis pic.twitter.com/Hc8ETowL3W
— allie marie? ? (@fatalliety) February 20, 2016
What would a Mob Wives wake be without some drama? Well, Big Ang’s had that, plus some, according to Hollywood Life . Drita showed up to the wake on the arms of two bodyguards. Apparently, Drita feared the other cast members would try to hurt her if she came alone, so she came with protection. Big Ang’s family and friends felt like Drita was attempting to steal the spotlight, and make the wake about her, and not Angela. Drita noted that she brought backup to ensure there would be no drama, and so she could mourn her dear friend the proper way without worrying about other cast members giving her the side eye.
Some of the #MobWives showing respect to Big Ang ?? (Renee, Nat D, Drita, & etc did as well) #RIPBigAng pic.twitter.com/Ychfb5yhkk
— Mob Wives (@MobWivesSupport) February 18, 2016
Even so, Big Ang’s family were upset at Drita’s spectacle and firmed believed that she did it to upstage Angela. Carla and Renee both took to social media to voice that a funeral is not the place to bring attention to yourself, because it should be about the person who passed away–in this case, Big Ang. Drita’s intention appears to be genuine, and could have felt unsafe alone at the service. However, it was the wrong time to attend the service with bodyguards present. It created chaos and may have brought more heartache to Angela’s family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMz0hk_PJZs
Former Mob Wives stars Natalie Guercio and Alicia DiMichele attended the service, paying their respects to Big Ang. Natalie posted to Twitter , noting that Angela had a heart of gold, and was an excellent friend. However, it didn’t mean she didn’t see your true colors, and not see you for who you are deep down. Natalie believed this to be the cause on why Karen and Brittany were on the short list of those banned from her memorial services. In the end, it is Big Ang’s memorial service, and her family is expected to honor her last wishes.
It’s a shame, after such a beautiful wake, u have some ppl who are classless & attention seekers who post IGs talking abt someone’s grief…
— Natalie Elise Beauty (@NatalieEGuercio) February 21, 2016
Don’t forget to come back to the Inquisitr later for more Mob Wives news, spoilers, and updates. Tell us what you think about Big Ang excluding Karen and Brittany from her memorial services, below.
[Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for VH1]