MEXICO CITY (AP) — Tongolele, the iconic American dancer who transformed the nightlife scene in mid-20th century Mexico City with her hip movements to the sound of drums, has died at the age of 93.
Mexico's secretary of culture announced her death Monday on X.
“Her stage presence and unique style made her a benchmark of entertainment in Mexico. Rest in peace,” it said. Several media outlets reported that she died Sunday night.
She had an unmistakable beauty with a tuft of white hair, feline eyes that changed color between blue, green and violet, as well as an imposing physique. Her provocative style initially drew public criticism, but her vibrant personality gained her friendships with everyone from former Mexican presidents to some of the most influential Mexican artists and writers of the day.
“I never thought, ‘I want to be famous.' I just wanted to dance,” she said in a 2014 interview with The Associated Press at her Mexico City home. “I didn’t even realize that I was a star of the show, I didn’t even know I was successful, I was just happy dancing."
Born Yolanda Ivonne Montes Farrington on Jan. 3, 1932 in Spokane, Washington, she began dancing at the age of 15. Just months later, she was performing in theaters across Mexico, from Tijuana to Mérida, where she said a female boss forced her to take a stage name. She chose Tongolele, inspired by African and Tahitian culture.
Her career skyrocketed as she headlined Mexico City’s premier theaters, leading to roles in films like “Mátenme porque me muero," “Amor de locura” and “Han matado a Tongolele,” which was named after her.
Tongolele's career was celebrated with the Agustín Lara award in 2012, honoring her artistic contributions and 65 years on stage.
Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
FILE - Dancer Yolanda Montez, better known by her stage name Tongolele, gives an interview in Mexico City, March 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File)
FILE - Dancer Yolanda Montez, better known as Tongolele, talks about a photograph in her home, during an interview in Mexico City, March 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, File)
CHICAGO (AP) — Connor Bedard is back. The rest of the Chicago Blackhawks, well, that's a day-to-day situation at the moment.
Bedard played Friday night against Washington in his first game since he hurt his right shoulder on a draw during a 3-2 loss at St. Louis on Dec. 12. But the Blackhawks were hit hard by an illness that swept through their locker room, leaving them without their top two goaltenders.
The 20-year-old Bedard recorded four shots on goal while skating for more than 17 minutes in a 5-1 loss to the Capitals. He didn't take any faceoffs, and coach Jeff Blashill said that is the plan for the foreseeable future.
“I thought he played solid," Blashill said. "I thought he got better as the game went along, which is probably to be expected. I think part of it is trying to feel out what's going to hurt and what's not. So I know he felt probably more comfortable at the end than he did at the beginning.”
Bedard ranked among the NHL leaders with 19 goals and 25 assists at the time of the injury. The Blackhawks went 5-6-1 while he was out.
The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft got a big ovation from the United Center crowd when he was announced with the starting lineup.
“I felt fine,” Bedard said. “I think it was kind of one of those games where the puck was kind of bouncing around a little bit, tough to get a lot of crisp pucks."
Bedard returned at an opportune time for a team that had to scramble to fill out their lineup for the matchup with the Capitals.
Goaltenders Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom, along with forward Ilya Mikheyev, defenseman Louis Crevier and forward Sam Lafferty, were scratched. Blashill missed the morning skate, but he was behind the bench for the game.
Bedard was activated from injured reserve, and defenseman Kevin Korchinski and goaltender Drew Commesso were recalled from Rockford of the American Hockey League. Commesso made 19 saves in his second career NHL start, while Dave Nozzolillo served as his emergency backup. Korchinski, the No. 7 pick in the 2022 draft, skated for almost 14 minutes in his first game with Chicago since April 15.
The Blackhawks play again on Saturday night in Nashville.
“I do not know how I am going to deal with the goalies for tomorrow,” he said. “I don't know for sure who's available to me yet.”
Bedard and fellow center Frank Nazar were shelved during a stretch of 10 losses in 12 games for Chicago. But the Blackhawks had won a season-high four in a row before the loss to the Capitals.
Nazar, who turns 22 on Wednesday, is skating again, but there has been no word on when he might return to the lineup. He was hit in the face by a puck during a 6-4 loss at Ottawa on Dec. 20.
Bedard also missed part of his rookie season with a broken jaw, but he played in all 82 games last year.
“No one wants to have anything happen, but it's part of the game,” Bedard said after Friday's morning skate. “You just got to try to take that time to get better.”
Bedard's fast start moved him into contention for a spot on Team Canada for the Winter Olympics. But he was left off the roster when it was announced last week.
Bedard still could make the trip to Italy if he is needed as an injury replacement.
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard attends warmups before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Hockey fans hold a sign as Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
