As we celebrate women’s history month, we honor women and their contribution to entertainment.
In 1951, Anna May Wong became the first Chinese American actress to become a major box-office attraction. Putting her film career on hold, she worked from the United States on Chinese war relief during World War II. As a Chinese American, Wong was often restricted to smaller roles that fit the Asian stereotypes expected by white producers and audiences. While some Chinese Americans of the time reprimanded her for playing these stereotypes, many people today see her as a pioneer who succeeded in a hostile industry. Given her roles, Wong still managed to put her own stamp on the parts she played. Many of her films include Piccadilly (1929), Daughter of the Dragon (1931) and Shanghai Express (1932).
From September 8, 1986, to May 25, 2011, The Oprah Winfrey Show dominated daytime television, running a total of 25 seasons. This talk show is the highest rated in history. This daytime television-initiated conversations that were not talked about including issues surrounding race and racism, gender roles, and sexuality, while emphasizing women’s experiences and perspectives. Known for her role in “The Color Purple”, Winfrey used her show to teach and inspire her viewers. In doing so, she provided viewers with a positive, spiritually uplifting experience by promoting book clubs, conducting compelling interviews, and featuring self-improvement segments, and philanthropic attacks into world events and its issues. Go Winfrey!!
In 1925,
Annie Lillian Evans became the first Black American to sing with a European opera company. She began singing in her early teens in Washington, D.C., “honing” her talent at community events with the passion of performing classical grand opera. In 1917 she graduated from Howard University with her bachelor’s degree in music. A gifted student and performer, Evans was able to speak and sing in five different languages. Eager to accomplish her dreams and avoid racial barriers, Evans moved to Europe to pursue her career as a singer. Many of her accomplishments include giving a special command performance for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife, performing concerts for the armed forces during World War II, and performing at the first black opera company The National Negro Opera Company. While remaining a dominating force in Bollywood, Priyanka Chopra is best known in the United States for her hit show Quantico. She has helped pave the way for South Asians in Hollywood, and has also ventured into the music industry with collaborations with well-known artists such as Pitbull, and Will.i.am. Chopra is one of India’s most famous and influential women. All in all, not many South Asian actresses or other countries are able to pursue a career in Hollywood but Chopra has solidified her place in both Hollywood and Bollywood. She proved that an Indian woman could lead a major cast and score hit ranking in the U.S. "I wanted to be seen as just an actor, not because of my ethnicity or where I come from," she said in a Complex cover story. "I think global entertainment needs to become like that. It needs to be about the best person for the job rather than what you look like or where you come from. And I wanted to be one of the first people to take a step in that direction.
Comments
Post a Comment