Diane Keaton’s SoulCycle Instructor Reveals the ‘Endearing’ Phrase the Beloved Actress Always Said Before Leaving Class — A Final Glimpse Into Her Kind Spirit
Diane Keaton was known for many things — her timeless elegance, quirky humor, iconic film roles, and unapologetic individuality. But according to those who knew her outside Hollywood’s bright lights, it was her warmth and humility that truly defined her. In the days following her passing on October 11 at age 79, stories about Keaton’s kindness have continued to emerge, including one particularly touching memory from her SoulCycle instructor, Alba Verela.
For Verela, teaching Diane Keaton wasn’t just about leading a fitness class — it was about sharing space with someone who radiated joy even in the most ordinary moments. “She was always humble, always grateful,” Verela told PEOPLE. “Every time she left class, she’d look back and say, ‘You make my mornings brighter, thank you for letting me ride.’ It never got old. It was so Diane.”
That small phrase, so effortlessly sincere, captured the very essence of who Keaton was — gracious, self-aware, and full of gratitude for the people around her. Verela described her as “the kind of person who didn’t see herself as Diane Keaton the movie star, but Diane, just another rider who came to sweat, laugh, and feel alive.”
Keaton’s presence in class often surprised other participants, many of whom were starstruck to see the Academy Award-winning actress pedaling beside them. But rather than bask in attention, she disarmed everyone with her charm and self-deprecating humor. “She’d show up in her signature hat — yes, she wore a hat on the bike,” Verela laughed. “And when we’d tease her about it, she’d say, ‘It’s my lucky charm. It hides the sweat and the wrinkles.’ Then she’d wink and start pedaling.”
Behind that playful exterior, Keaton’s love for SoulCycle was genuine. Friends said she often referred to it as her “therapy on wheels,” a rare time when she could disconnect from Hollywood noise and just be present. “She had this energy that lifted the whole room,” Verela said. “She’d sing along to the music, shout encouragement to others, and at the end, she’d thank me like I had done something extraordinary. But really, it was her who made those mornings special.”
As news of her death spread, Verela and her fellow riders gathered to honor Keaton with a memorial ride, filling the room with her favorite songs — from Frank Sinatra classics to upbeat Stevie Wonder hits. “When her song came on, you could feel it,” Verela said softly. “Everyone was crying, but also smiling. It was like she was right there, laughing with us.”
Keaton’s connection with people was one of her greatest gifts. Whether through her performances or her daily gestures, she made others feel seen. That same authenticity defined her legacy, on and off the screen. Her instructor recalled how she often stayed after class to chat about life — books she was reading, projects she was excited about, or just the beauty of slowing down. “She’d say, ‘Isn’t it nice when we stop rushing and just breathe for a second?’ That was her — reminding us that it’s okay to pause and be grateful.”
Even as she aged, Keaton remained open about embracing imperfection and aging naturally. Her humility and humor made her one of Hollywood’s most relatable stars. “She taught me more about grace and gratitude than anyone I’ve ever met,” Verela said. “She didn’t preach it. She lived it.”
Now, those morning rides will never be quite the same. But for Verela and countless others who crossed paths with Diane Keaton, the memory of her laughter, kindness, and signature goodbye — “Thank you for letting me ride” — will live on like a gentle echo of her spirit.
Diane Keaton left behind an extraordinary film legacy, but it’s these quieter, human moments that define her true story — a woman who never stopped showing up, smiling, and making the world a little brighter with every goodbye.
