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.
56: MGM Stories Part 1: Louis B. Mayer vs. Irving Thalberg
55: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 12: The Manson Family on Trial
54: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 11: Death Valley ’69
53: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 10: Roman Polanski After Sharon Tate
52: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 9: August 8-10, 1969
51: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 8: Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski
50: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 7: Sharon Tate and Jay Sebring
49: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 6: Kenneth Anger and Bobby Beausoleil
48: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 5: Doris Day and Terry Melcher
47: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 4: Spahn Ranch and the Beatles’ White Album
46: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 3: The Beach Boys, Dennis Wilson, and Charles Manson, Songwriter
45: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 2: How Manson Found His Family
44: Charles Manson’s Hollywood, Part 1: What We Talk About When We Talk About The Manson Murders
43: Star Wars Episode XVI: Van Johnson
42: Star Wars Episode XV: Why John Wayne Didn’t Sign Up
41: Star Wars Episode XIV: Frank Sinatra Through 1945
40: The You Must Remember This One Year Anniversary Ask Us Anything Show
39: Star Wars Episode XIII: Walt Disney
38: Star Wars Episode XII: Bob Hope vs. Bing Crosby
37: Star Wars Episode XI: Charlie Chaplin
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