ChristinaKristin: Black Starlets: Dorothy Dandridge

For the past 2 years we have dedicated our time focusing on Black icons during Black History Month. This year we chose to spotlight Black Starlets. Women who broke race barriers and changed the world's perception of Black women, all while having impeccable style. Join us on this journey as we take a look back and reflect on a few iconic women who have made a statement in Black culture.

Dorothy Dandridge

My favorite starlet is an Ohio child. Dorothy Dandridge was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1922. I first learned about her in 1999 like a lot of my peers while watching the HBO biopic where she was portrayed by Halle Berry, another Cleveland native.

photo credit

Dandridge has been compared to the likes of Marilyn Monroe and is often referred to as the black bombshell. She is recognized for being the first African American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for best actress.

The Dandridge Sisters Etta Jones, Dorothy ans her sister Vivian photo credit

At a very young age Dorothy began a career in entertainment. Under her mother, actress Ruby Dandridge's guidance, she and her sister Vivian began touring together as The Wonder Kids, performing at churches and social events. The sisters were in demand and considered prodigies.

photo credit

The sisters later moved to Los Angeles to find work in film. In LA, they began the trio The Dandridge Sisters with a third member, Etta Jones. Winning contests in LA, they found regular work in New York at the Cotton Club. There Dorothy was exposed to the who's who of the black entertainment of that time, including her first husband, dancer Harold Nicholas.

photo credit

After a failed marriage and the birth of her special needs daughter Lynn,
Dandridge picked up the pieces and went after her dreams of becoming an actress. Her singing talent helped land her roles in the industry, staring in movies such as Carmen Jones. Her light completion and Caucasian features were appealing to the white audience and landed her roles in more mainstream movies such as Tarzan'a Peril.

Dandridge in Tarzan's Peril photo credit

She set new standards and strides in black entertainment history, though she was beautiful enough to star in leading female roles along side white male actors she was not allowed to be a love interest. Then in1957 she was paired with John Justin in " Island in the Sun", and Hollywood recorded the first time we saw a black woman in the arms of a white man.

Dandridge in Island in the Sun photo credit

Dandridge's style was sexy and sophisticated. She put the sex appeal on for the cameras and stage with curve hugging costumes and dresses. On her off time she wore beautiful tailored feminine suits. Her casual wear, also body hugging pants, blouses and sweaters. She wore a lot of red gowns and the cut of most of her wardrobe emphasized her collar bone and decolletage.

photo credit

Dorothy Dandridge was late to be recognized for her talent and strides in history. Her talent and beauty was undeniable but her life began and ended before society was ready to really appreciate her. Her story is both beautiful and tragic. Tragic, in love including two failed marriages and many career road blocks due to her heritage and the substance abuse that ultimately contributed to her demise. Beautiful, as she helped set in motion the beginning stages of black women being accepted in staring roles in mainstream Hollywood movies. She was first to be nominated for an Oscar and her name rests inside a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She will always be remembered as our bombshell.