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Black History Captured on Film: Josephine Baker – The Original Celebrity Reality Star
Josephine Baker used her life to build a brand, “her life was her stage.”
American-born dancer Josephine Baker redefined beauty as a Black entertainer in France during the roaring twenties, she created a brand around her persona and possessed control over her image. The Black Venus captured the essence of the French nightlife, with her famous banana skirt hypnotizing viewers across Europe.
She received 40,000 love letters and 2,000 marriage proposals, Baker was in high demand. Although her body was how she gathered the crowd, Baker captured their attention by her vivacious lifestyle up until her life ended on April 12, 1975. Baker made Black culture attractive, during a time where the collective community was considered unfavorable.
Born in June 1906 in St. Louis, Missori, Freda Josephine McDonald grew up in humble beginnings. She began touring with a dance group when she was 16, Baker eventually moved to New York in 1923, making her mark as one of Broadway’s Chocolate Dandies. There she became aware of her personal image and its charm on her viewers.
A couple of years passed, Baker found herself performing at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in France. In the La Revue Nègre, she introduced her Danse Sauvage and stole the hearts of all French men in the room, in her time of fame, her legacy went viral, spreading across the world.
Besides her curves, dance moves, and “dark skin,” the banana skirt Baker wore during her performance was provocative and brought attention to a new fetish–the rear end. The skirt would see many different renditions over a 10-year span.
Baker was fully aware of the viewer’s desire of her, she intentionally played into the “exotic” fantasy that was growing around Black culture. Her consciousness was described as having a “third eye,” by seeing herself as a brand.
She sold ‘Bakerskin;’ a skin darkening lotion and ‘Bakerfix,’ a pomade that made a lot of her wealth besides her music-hall performances. Baker played up her “exotic” role, dancing with carefully placed necklaces and pearls, causing a scene wherever she went. When reflecting on her life, one of Bakers’ sons, Jean-Paul Baker said, ” Her Life was her Stage.”
French critics would define her style as “priminitive,” Baker responded in her autobiography. She acknowledged that she was tickled by the reports about her show, “Primitive instinct? Madness of the flesh? Tumult of the senses? ‘The white imagination sure is something,’ Baker continued, “when it comes to Blacks.” Baker was painted to be seen as coming from the jungle, but the American dancer knew she was from Missouri. (Rose, Jazz Cleopatra, 81.)
The St. Louis native didn’t hide from the injustices happening domestically and internationally, she refused to perform in states that had segregated audiences, carried out espionage activity for the French resistance, and hid Jewish refugees when they were under siege. Baker received French merit, which included the Medaille de la Resistance and the Legion d’Honneur.
Baker created her own life, living in a 24-room mansion with a pet cheetah named Chiquita. She adopted 12 children, each having a different ethnic background, Baker called them her ‘Rainbow tribe.’ She created a life of her own, her legacy and political influence continue to echo in fashion and the freedom to portray sensual personas in present-day; for example, she was the inspiration behind Rihanna’s 2014 “naked dress” Riri wore during the CFDA Fashion Awards. Baker showed the real power behind female celebrities taking hold of their image and narrating their own intimate stories.
It’s a wrap for the 2025 Golden Globe Awards. This year’s ceremony occurred at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, hosting many of Hollywood’s biggest names. From the most iconic looks to the funniest encounters and historic wins, here are the most memorable moments from the 82nd Golden Globes.
Zendaya showed off a gorgeous $200,000 engagement ring while walking the red carpet.
Zendaya’s red carpet appearance at this year’s Golden Globes turned many heads (as usual), but this time for more than just her stunning look.
Multiple cameras captured the sparkling $200K diamond ring the “Dune” star was wearing on her engagement finger, which fueled speculation that the 28-year-old might be secretly engaged to her long-time boyfriend, Tom Holland.
TMZ reported this morning that the couple is indeed engaged. According to the publication, sources close to the couple have confirmed that “the’ Spider-Man ‘ star popped the question between Christmas and New Year’s… dropping to one knee in a very intimate setting in one of Zendaya’s family homes in the United States.” 
Anthony Mackie hilariously crashes Sebastian Stan’s Golden Globes Post-Win Interview.
Anthony Mackie took over Sebastian Stan’s post-win interview with ET’s Nischelle Turner. ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ co-stars caught up after Stan won Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical or Comedy for ‘A Different Man’ at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.
Vin Diesel had a brief and awkward interaction with Dwayne Johnson
Vin Diesel made sure to give a quick “hey” to “Fast and Furious” co-star Dwayne Johnson when he took the stage to present the award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement at last night’s Golden Globes
“Hey, Dwayne,” Diesel awkwardly said, smiling, while Johnson responded with a quick and subtle smile.
For context, Diesel and Johnson have been on good terms for the last few years despite their infamous feud, which lasted roughly nine years and involved disagreements during the production of “Fast 8.”
A source told People magazine in 2016 that “Vin has been having problems with The Rock because The Rock keeps showing up late for production. ” The source also explained that “sometimes he doesn’t show up at all, and he’s delaying the production.”
That same year, Johnson wrote (in a since-deleted Instagram post), “There’s no other franchise that gets my blood boiling more than this one…. My female co-stars are always amazing, and I love ’em. My male co-stars, however, are a different story. Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t,” he continued. “The ones that don’t are too chicken s— to do anything about it anyway. Candy a-—. When you watch this movie next April and it seems like I’m not acting in some of these scenes and my blood is legit boiling — you’re right.”
Later, in June of 2023, Johnson announced that Luke Hobbs would return to the Fast and Furious franchise (for FastX: Part II) via a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). He added, “Last summer, Vin and I put all the past behind us. We’ll lead with brotherhood and resolve – and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love. “
Zoe Saldana won her first-ever Golden Globe Award for “Emilia Perez.”
Zoe Saldana won her first-ever Golden Globe for Female Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for her role as Rita Mora Castro in Jacques Audiard’s avant-garde film Emilia Pérez.
The actress honored her fellow castmates in an emotional and moving speech.
“I don’t have much time, and I have dyslexia, so I tend to forget when I’m really anxious and I’m filled with adrenaline, but my heart is full of gratitude,” Saldana kicked off her speech. “Thank you so much to the Golden Globes for celebrating our film and honoring the women of Emilia Pérez. This is the first time for me, and I’m just so blessed that I’m sharing this moment with Selena, and Karla, and Jacque, and all of my fellow nominees. I’m in awe of you, your strength, your complexity, and your undeniable talent.”
Morris Chestnut attended his first Golden Globes, accompanied by his wife of 30 years, Pam Byse-Chestnut.
Morris and Pam Chestnut showed up and showed out for their first Golden Globe Awards. The couple, who tied the knot in 1995, will celebrate 30 years of marriage this year!
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With the ‘Gladiator 2’ premiere date fast approaching, Denzel Washington has been on the road promoting the highly anticipated sequel. During one of the interviews, the actor, who stars as Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s action epic, revealed that he plans to retire once he completes a number of exciting upcoming projects, including “Black Panther 3.”
In an interview with Today on Australia’s Channel 9, which has now gone viral, Washington detailed his plan for accomplishing his retirement goals.
“At this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best.” The 69-year-old movie legend said. “I don’t know how many more movies I’m gonna make. probably not that many. I wanna do things I haven’t done.”
“I played Othello at 22, I’m about to play Othello at 70.” He continued, “After that, I am playing Hannibal. After that I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next “Black Panther.” After that, I’m gonna do the film “Othello.” After that, I’m gonna do “King Lear.” After that, I’m gonna retire.”
‘Gladiator II’ will be released in theaters on November 22, 2024.
Most Memorable Moments From the 82nd Golden Globes
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