Diane Keaton's Endearing Ritual with Her SoulCycle Instructor

In October 2025, the world mourned the loss of acclaimed actress Diane Keaton, who passed away at the age of 79. However, her memory lives on through the heartwarming stories shared by those who knew her.

One such story comes from Alba Verela, Keaton's longtime SoulCycle instructor. Verela recalls how the Oscar-winning actress was a devoted member of her "SoulSurvivor" class, attending the Saturday 10 a.m. session at the Santa Monica, California studio almost every week for years.

Verela was initially "completely starstruck" when she first saw Keaton in her class in 2015, but the actress quickly put her at ease with her kind and gracious demeanor. Keaton would always sit in the same bike, number 47, which was located in the back corner of the studio, and she would make sure to personally thank Verela after every class, telling her, "Thank you, Alba. I had so much fun."

Verela was deeply touched by Keaton's thoughtfulness, as she notes that "not usually would you get a celebrity [to] come up to your bike handlebars and thank you for the class and tell you that they had fun." The instructor felt "seen" by the beloved actress, who would call her by name and express her genuine appreciation.

Keaton's passion for SoulCycle and her endearing interactions with Verela serve as a testament to her kind spirit and her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. Even as a celebrated Hollywood icon, she remained grounded and grateful, leaving a lasting impression on those she encountered.