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.
111: Jean and Jane Become Public Enemies (Jean & Jane Part 6)
110: Jane vs "Barbarella" (Jean & Jane Part 5)
109: Jean vs "Lilith" (Jean & Jane Part 4)
108: Jean and Jane in Paris (Jean & Jane Part 3)
107: Jean and Otto Preminger/Jane in New York (Jean & Jane Part 2)
106: Hollywood Royalty/Middle-American Martyr (Jean & Jane Part 1)
105: Dorothy Stratten (Dead Blondes Part 13)
104: Barbara Loden (Dead Blondes Part 12)
103: Grace Kelly (Dead Blondes Part 11)
102: Barbara Payton (Dead Blondes Part 10)
101: Jayne Mansfield (Dead Blondes Part 9)
100: Marilyn Monroe: The End (Dead Blondes Part 8)
99: Marilyn Monroe: The Persona (Dead Blondes Part 7)
98: Marilyn Monroe: The Beginning (Dead Blondes Part 6)
97: Carole Landis (Dead Blondes Part 5)
96: Veronica Lake (Dead Blondes Part 4)
95: Jean Harlow Flashback (Dead Blondes Part 3)
94: Thelma Todd (Dead Blondes Part 2)
93: Peg Entwistle (Dead Blondes Part 1)
92: Six Degrees of Joan Crawford: Mommie Dearest
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