In 1983, Vanessa Williams became the first black woman to win Miss America. In 1984, a few weeks from the end of her reign, she was forced to step down when she found out Penthouse was going to publish unauthorized nude images of her in their magazine. Williams went on to have a successful singing career and star in movies, but her career trajectory tells more than the story of a black beauty icon who overcame obstacles to make it in Hollywood. It's a story that echoes the legacies of racism, colorism, tokenism and misogynoir (the misogyny experienced specifically by black women) in 20th century Hollywood and how, as a result, black women — from Williams to Whitney Houston — have had to display exceptional talent to make the case that their images are worth circulating and celebrating as beautiful.
This episode was written and performed by Cassie da Costa, an entertainment writer for The Daily Beast. She lives in Ojai, California.
The Hard Hollywood Life of Kim Novak — 10th anniversary restoration
Introducing: Talking Pictures from TCM and Max
Eyes Wide Shut, Part 2, and the Sexiest Man Alive in 1999 (Erotic 90s, Part 21)
Eyes Wide Shut, Part 1 (Erotic 90’s, Part 20)
90s Lolitas Volume 3: Wild Things, Cruel Intentions and Britney Spears (Erotic 90’s, Part 19)
90’s Lolitas Volume 2: Adrian Lyne’s Lolita (Erotic 90’s, Part 18)
The Lynch Family: Boxing Helena & Lost Highway (Erotic 90’s, Part 17)
Crash and David Cronenberg (Erotic 90’s, Part 16)
“Lesbian Chic”: Bound and Anne Heche in Wild Side (Erotic 90’s, Part 15)
Introducing: Glitter & Might
Showgirls, Jade, and the fall of Joe Eszterhas. (Erotic 90’s, Part 14)
The Last Seduction, Disclosure, & Fear of the Female Boss (Erotic 90’s, Part 13)
Sliver and Sharon Stone as Superstar (Erotic 90’s, Part 12)
Indecent Proposal (Erotic 90’s, Part 11)
Sex, Erotica and Body of Evidence (Erotic 90’s, Part 10)
Red Shoe Diaries and sex on TV in the 90s. (Erotic 90’s, Part 9)
90s Lolitas, volume 1: Drew Barrymore, Amy Fisher and Alicia Silverstone (Erotic 90’s, Part 8)
Murphy Brown, Dan Quayle and Damage (Erotic 90’s, Part 7)
Basic Instinct (Erotic 90’s, Part 6)
The Blanks From Hell: Fatal Attraction’s Children (Erotic 90’s, Part 5)
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