Josephine BakerĀ (bornĀ Freda Josephine McDonald; 3 June 1906 ā 12 April 1975) born in St. Louis, Missouri was a singer and entertainer, whose career was centered primarily in Europe, mostly in her adoptive country ofĀ France. During her early career she was renowned as a dancer, and was among the most celebrated performers to headline the lavish revues of theĀ Folies BergĆØreĀ in Paris. Her performance in the revueĀ Un Vent de FolieĀ in 1927 caused a sensation in Paris; her costume, consisting of only a girdle of bananas, became her most iconic image and a symbol of theĀ #jazz ageĀ and theĀ 1920s. She was celebrated by artists and intellectuals of the era, who variously dubbed her the #BlackPearl , the #BronzeVenus , and the #CreoleGoddess . She renounced her U.S. citizenship and became a French national after her marriage to French industrialistĀ Jean LionĀ in 1937. Baker was the first African American to become a world-famous entertainer and to star in a major motion picture, the 1934Ā Marc AllĆ©gretĀ filmĀ #Zouzou. Baker refused to perform for segregated audiences in the United States. #BlackMusicMonth #GeminiSeason #JosephineBaker #Art #Icon #CivilRights #YourFaveCouldNever.
