Early in her career she worked under the names Una Velon and Rita Shaw.
In early 1940 she toured - as Rita Rio - with her "All Girl Orchestra" with actresses Marie Wilson and Toby Wing (who was essentially retired) and Faith Bacon (from the Earl Carroll Vanities) across the United States. The actresses made numerous appearances for the Infantile Paralysis Fund and Tuberculosis campaign during the tour.
She gave a spellbinding snake-like dancing performance during 'The Lady dances' number in the 1936 movie 'Strike it pink' with Eddie Cantor. The dance reached its climax with her being thrown extremely high into the air by Eddie Cantor and is then caught by him on the palm of one hand in another position some distance away.