| Diosa Costello | |
| Birthname: | Juana de Dios Castrello |
| Birth Place: | Guayama, Puerto Rico |
| Death Place: | Hollywood, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Entertainer, performer, producer, and club owner |
| Years Active: | 1939-1953 |
| Spouse: | |
Juana de Dios Castrello, better known as Diosa Costello (April 23, 1913 - June 20, 2013), was a Puerto Rican entertainer, performer, producer and club owner,[1] often referred to as "the Latin Bombshell".[2]
Costello was born Juana de Dios Castrello y Cruz in Guayama, Puerto Rico on April 23, 1913,[3] although 1917 is often incorrectly sourced.[4]
After performing for some time at various venues in Spanish Harlem, she paired with Desi Arnaz at the La Conga club. Costello debuted on Broadway in Too Many Girls (1939), which was directed by George Abbott. Costello is often erroneously cited as the first Latina[5] to appear on the Broadway stage; however Lupe Vélez had three Broadway credits[6] before Costello's 1939 Broadway debut. Too Many Girls was chosen to be made into a film, however, Costello decided not to go with the film because she "never liked traveling much" and stayed in New York.[1]
She also appeared on Broadway in the 1941 musical revue Crazy in the Heat, and in 1951 she replaced Juanita Hall in the role of Bloody Mary in the original Broadway production of South Pacific.
The Smithsonian filmed an interview with Costello in 2006. She died in her sleep on June 20, 2013, at the age of 100 in Hollywood, Florida.[7]
She was married to Pupi Campo and Italian singer Don Casino.[1]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | They Met in Argentina | Panchita | ||
| 1945 | The Bullfighters | Conchita | ||
| 1953 | Miss Sadie Thompson | Ameena Horn | (final film role) |