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.
Eartha Kitt
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I first laid eyes on Eartha Kitt in the 90s. I was watching Boomerang where she played the character Lady Eloise, who seduced Eddie Murphy's character Marcus after promising to put him in charge of her brand. I can still hear her calling his name
"Marrrrrrrrcuuuuusssss". Even at 65 she was vibrant, sexy and had a body I would die for now. Her costumes in the movie had me in awe as a child who has always been interested in style and fashion. I remember watching and a family member walking behind me and saying, " You know she was Cat Woman in the 60s". It made me want to look her up and so I did shortly there after.
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Eartha Kitt was the first African American woman to play Cat Woman, she took over for Julie Newmar in the television series in 1967 . She was the third Cat Women overall counting the movie portrayal by Lee Meriwether. Playing the roll made her a pop icon whose trademark growl has been imitated by many.
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Nominated for Grammys, Tonys and Emmys on multiple occasions for her performances in music, theater and on screen , she was also a survivor of neglect and exclusion because of her mixed race. Her mother sent her away to live with her aunt in Harlem. There as a teen she tried out for and won a spot with the Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe. She traveled around the world with the troupe. The exposure introduced her to Orson Wells who included her in his cast of his production " Dr. Faust."
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In New York while performing she caught the attention of a Broadway producer. She appeared on Broadway in "New Faces of 1952". Her Broadway success earned her a recording contract which helped her produce many best-selling albums including the well known holiday favorite "Santa Baby".
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Some of her last pieces of work earned her a new generation of fans as the voice of the villan YZMA of " The Emperor's New Groove". For that role that she played in two animated movies and a Saturday morning series, she won Emmy Awards in 2007 and 2008 for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program.
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Eartha Kitt performed in over 100 countries, singing in ten different languages. Those things are to be admired but what struck me most was that she had the courage to speak out against the Vietnam War at a White House luncheon during the Johnson administration. Her moment of free speech caused her to be blacklisted in Hollywood . Fortunately she was able to work abroad. She returned when things died down a put on an incredible show at Carnegie Hall.
Along with her many awards and nominations, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I look forward to finding her star when I make my next trip to LA.
Thank you Eartha Kitt for your contribution to the arts and your courage to speak up against what many viewed as an unnecessary war. You left us so much of you, in your music, in your on screen and on stage performances . We will always remember that purr and that very distinctive voice.
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To honor Eartha Kitt further, I am closing this post with a look inspired by one of her photographs. I was not able to capture her essence but I do love leopard the way she did. I hope you are enjoying our Black Starlet Series and Black History Month 2017.
Sources:
http://www.earthakitt.com
http://www.biography.com/people/eartha-kitt
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