Angela "Big Ang" Raiola, the breakout star of VH1’s “Mob Wives” reality show, lost her battle to cancer more than a year and a half ago. Yet her bigger-than-life, party-it-up persona is causing controversy as her sister starts a petition to save a mural from being painted over.
The mural in Big Ang’s memory graces the side of her sister's West Brighton store on Forest Avenue.
It's of her face and one of her popular catchphrases, “I'm not here for a long time. I'm here for a good time.” Her sister, Janine Detore said it attracts fans from all over the world, and gives her family solace in their grief.
“I say good morning sister, and then when I go home, like, sometimes I kiss her face and I say, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’” Detore said.
Detore claimed the mural is in danger of being painted over, despite having permission from her landlord. She said her landlord told her community members were starting to complain that the mural is offensive. Detore doesn't understand why.
“We’re small, Staten Island,” Detore said. “We’re a small forgotten borough and I feel like my sister really did so much for the island. Why is she offending people all of a sudden?”
Detore started a petition this week for support to keep the mural up. It has gained more than 5 thousand signatures from across the world.
Many neighbors also said they don’t see anything offensive about the mural.
"I think it’s really pretty, and honestly it’s [a commemoration],” said West Brighton resident, Mils Cheyenne. “I know she was really big on the community.”
"People do know her and from her TV show that she was on,” said Fran Lavasseur of West Brighton, “I mean, it wasn’t a flattering show, but she was the star, I believe, of that show. I just see a memory of her. When I see it, I say, ‘Hi, Big Ang,’ you know what I mean? I just keep walking. I don’t mind it and it would be a shame if he took it down, but it is his building.”
Michelle Griswold grew up with Big Ang as her neighbor. She said she can see why people may have found the reality show unflattering.
“Maybe people who only watched the TV show might find that offensive and that’s the only side of her they ever knew,” Griswold said. “They only care for what they see on TV and that’s a reality TV show which she was more than that. "
She and Detore said Big Ang put Staten Island on the map, and donated time and money to Hurricane Sandy rebuilding efforts and programs to help children with special needs.
The owner tells NY1 no decision on the mural has been made. While Detore said she understands he can decide what he wants to be done with his building, she just wants him to hear her plea.
Detore said, “I feel if they take it away, it’s like losing her again. We have so much grief that we’re all going through. Why do we need to go through it again?”