Chita Rivera's dance foundation was shaped by her early ballet training, which remained a secret weapon throughout her career. Her journey from a ballet kid to a Broadway queen began after a mishap at her family home, leading to her introduction to ballet at the Jones-Haywood School. Her dedication and hard work led her to a scholarship at the School of American Ballet, where she initially aspired to join the City Ballet. However, her path evolved as she was influenced by the diverse dance styles at the Palladium Ballroom. Rivera's fusion of ballet and Latin dance steps ultimately defined her unique dancing style.