Music
Jenni Rivera Dies In Plane Crash
By Katherine Noland
Dec 10, 2012 - 1:32:01 PM

MONTERRY, MEXICO—Friends, family, and fans are mourning the loss of beloved Mexican-American singer, Jenni Rivera, who died in a plane crash with six others Sunday, December 9, in Monterry, Mexico.

Jenni Rivera. Photo courtesy of Jenni Rivera's official site.

At around 3:00 a.m. Sunday, the star was en route to appear on the Televisia reality show, “La Voz… Mexico” as a vocal couch. After performing at what would be her last live concert in the metropolitan city of Monterry in Northeast Mexico, Rivera was reported missing. The Learjet plane transporting the artist lost control 60 miles after it took off in a mountainous terrain. Rivera was accompanied by two pilots, her publicist Arturo Rivera, stylist Jorge Sanchez, make-up artist Jacobo Lienares, and attorney Mario Macias. No one survived the crash, and according to reports, the human and material remains were unidentifiable at the scene of the incident.

The 43-year-old mother of five was born and raised in Long Beach, California, and is known as one of NBC Universal’s biggest stars. Known to fans as “La Diva de la Banda,” Rivera adopted the “grupera” style of music, a genre of Mexican-folk that blends the styles of cumbia, ranchera, and norteno. The singer also starred in her own reality show, “I Love Jenni,” which airs on the cable network Mun2. Additionally, she was in the midst of signing a deal with ABC to star in a new comedy series, “Jenni.”

The star’s death has elicited a mournful outcry across social media, both inside and outside of the Latino community. Fellow colleague and Mexican pop singer, Paulina Rubio, tweeted, “My friend! Why? There is no consolation. God, please help me!” Other famous stars expressed their sorrow and concern for Rivera’s family. Jennifer Lopez tweeted, “So sad!! Praying for Jenni Rivera’s children and family and passengers families.” Eva Longoria tweeted, “My heart breaks for the loss of Jenni Rivera & everyone on the plane. My prayers go out to her family. We lost a legend today.”

Televisia delayed the semi-finale episode “The Voice of Mexico” that was scheduled to air Sunday, and instead played a special that commemorated the superstar’s life. The reality show will continue to air at its normal format, without any major rearranging after the death of the star.