Lena Horne: racism and resilience in the Golden Age of Hollywood

17 snips

Feb 20, 2026

Guest

Desiree Burch

Guest

Hannah Thuraisingam Robbins

Desiree Burch, comedian and commentator, offers sharp, funny takes on Lena Horne. Dr Hannah Thuraisingam-Robbins, Black Studies scholar, provides historical analysis of Horne’s life. They explore her rise from the Cotton Club to MGM, Hollywood’s racial limits, WWII performances, interracial marriage fallout, exile to Europe and nightclub triumphs, and her turn to civil rights activism and late-career Broadway success.

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INSIGHT

Middle-Class Roots Shaped Her Path

Lena Horne came from a middle-class Black family with professional aspirations and stability during her early childhood.
This background complicated the stereotypical narratives of Black entertainers rising solely from poverty or hardship.

ANECDOTE

Childhood 'Kidnapping' And Return

Lena's mother kidnapped her from her grandparents when she was young and left her with touring friends and relatives.
Lena was returned to her grandparents at about age 12, which strained her relationship with her mother.

INSIGHT

Cotton Club's Contradictory Role

The Cotton Club showcased Black talent while barring Black patrons and imposing humiliating restrictions on performers.
That contradiction shaped Lena's early career and highlighted the racism of entertainment venues.

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Greg Jenner is joined in twentieth-century America by Dr Hannah Thuraisingam Robbins and comedian Desiree Burch to learn all about singer and Hollywood actress Lena Horne. Born into a middle class Black family in New York, a young Lena Horne soon followed in the footsteps of her actress mother and made her début at the famous Cotton Club aged only 16. After making her name as a singer and performer – and following the end of her tumultuous first marriage – Horne transferred to the west coast and bagged a Hollywood contract with MGM. There, she appeared in a number of classic films, including Stormy Weather and Cabin in the Sky. Over the next several years, she would also perform for the troops in the Second World War, fall in love with and marry a white composer and arranger, undertake an international tour, and become one of the most popular nightclub performers of the post-war era. But the racism of segregation-era America would also shape and limit the career of the woman known as ‘the first Black pin-up girl’, eventually leading her to the civil rights movement and Black activism in the 1960s. This episode traces Lena’s journey from young dancer to Hollywood star and renowned vocalist, along the way exploring her connections with figures including Billie Holliday and Martin Luther King Jr., and the injustice she spent so much of her career fighting against. If you’re a fan of the history of cinema, mid-century America, and Black cultural icons, you’ll love our episode on Lena Horne. If you want more musical icons with Desiree Burch, listen to our episodes on Paul Robeson, Josephine Baker, and Broadway Musicals. And for more film history, check out our episodes on the history of Bollywood and Sarah Bernhardt. You’re Dead To Me is the comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Every episode, Greg Jenner brings together the best names in history and comedy to learn and laugh about the past. Hosted by: Greg Jenner Research by: Rosalyn Sklar Written by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Dr Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner Produced by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Gill Huggett Senior Producer: Dr Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: Philip Sellars