You Must Remember This 33: Star Wars Episode VII: Lena Horne
Feb 17, 2015
Lena Horne, legendary singer, actress and civil rights activist, appears through archival songs and clips. The conversation traces her rise from Cotton Club chorus to MGM stardom, wartime USO work and pinup status, Hollywood tokenism and studio limitations, and her later reclamation of voice with bold performances and activism.
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Brooklyn Bourgeois Roots And Cotton Club Start
- Lena's family background was Brooklyn Black bourgeoisie with strict standards, and her father became a gambler who later abandoned the family.
- Her mother groomed Lena as a showgirl, sending her to the Cotton Club at 16 despite degrading working conditions.
Noble Sissle's Mentorship On Tour
- After promotion at the Cotton Club Lena joined Noble Sissle's band to tour, where he coached her to present a dignified stage persona.
- Touring exposed Lena to segregation violence and motivated her to refine voice and stagecraft despite feeling exploited.
MGM's Token Glamour Star
- Lena Horne was signed to an MGM contract in January 1942 as the studio's first full-glamour Black performer.
- MGM styled her like Hedy Lamarr, created a "Light Egyptian" foundation, and promoted her as a marketable token to appease activists.