The Extraordinary Josephine Baker (Biography)

[@TheOnyxQueenChannel]

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[@joiduarte736]

Bravo and well done on this doc great work great woman Ms Josephine baker

[@cittaromap4163]

I had the immense privilege and the honor to have worked with Miss Baker in 1975 @ Bobino. I was the youngest dancer in the cast . The show was called “ Josephine “ It was based on her life story celebrating her 50 years in show business from her humble beginning in St Louis to her triumphant comeback to Bobino. She used to call me “ her little page “ (Son petit page )cause of my age ! I just turned 18 th on April 1st 1975. luckily for me I have tons of memorable pics from the show as well as unforgettable stories of this short but amazing run. ! She was extremely engaged with all of the dancers .Wanting to know everyone ‘s names .Josephine really truly care about people She was a true legend immensely talented beautiful ,elegant ,generous , humble and compassionate. Josephine had many lives and reinvented herself many times throughout her long career. Miss Baker had the perfect combination of charisma and humanity . She would bring oranges for the entire company saying “ My children you need lots Vit C for strength and energy “ She was so right cause the rehearsals were long and grueling ,,,. Bobino ‘s stage was too small to accommodate a cast of 8 boys 12 girls 3 comedians 1 little girl who played young josephine and 1 gorgeous dancer who perform the famous banana dance ! So they had to transformed the stage by expanding it including moving the orchestra to the balcony and putting additional seats in the theater and building brand new dressing rooms to accommodate such a big cast all while we were practicing in the lobby of The theater for at least 10 days ! It was bit chaotic to say the list and quite cold being mid -February But no one seemed to care it was so exciting to be part of this legendary show ! Even though None of the big Paris music ‘halls like Le Casino de Paris ,Le Moulin Rouge or les Folies Bergère wanted to take the risk producing Miss baker mostly for insurance purposes There were already rumors circulating of her failing health but a small theater by Paris left bank called Bobino took a chance ...Josephine liked to rehearsed late at night after we were done practicing. She even enjoyed having her favorite dish Spaghetti bolognese around 1 am at a restaurant right across the theater. I was one of the lucky one to have diner with her and only few members of the cast at Jean-Claude Brialy ‘s restaurant called L’ Orangerie where Josephine would reminisce on her career. Saying humbly “Well I was lucky I just had a great body and nice smile “ !!! I Could believe how down to earth she was. I will never forget the very first time I saw her performing once the stage was finally ready. That night She was in the audience watching us dancing with huge smile on her face applauding many times throughout being so proud of the cast. After all she was watching part of her whole life story in front of her eyes. ... In fact during the promotion of the show a French journalist asked her. “ How does it feel to see your life story being played in front you and starring in your own life musical ? She replied “ it’s wonderful At least i will see what they think of me when I am still alive !!!! I When we were done the director Andre levasseur said “ josephine c ‘ est a vous “ she jumped on stage and belt a song from the Brazilian number called” Que c‘est bon de vivre” She seemed to be completely possessed by the rhythm of the Afro Cuban sound very reminiscing of “Princess Tam-Tam “ all those years earlier ...Her moves were so unbelievable. Her body was in perfect shape specially in her Chanel suit !!!! There is No way you would have guessed that this beautiful lady was in her late 60 ‘s. A goddess still !!!! What thrill for me. A true master CLASS ,,,,,, My very first contact with Josephine was when she almost fell from the stairs for the folie Bergere number. I was there to catch her hand very tightly and she gave me a nod and huge smile. Right after she came in the wing and asked my age ? I replied I am 18. She asked does your mom know you are here. I said “she surely does and she is so proud that I am dancing with you “ !!!!!! We rehearsed the show for about 1 month and half . We actually did more than 4 performances. We started with one week of previews on March 25 th special Press night on April 2 Nd. to glorious reviews ! We had another full week of performances with a big opening gala on April 8 th with stars like Grace Kelly’s Sophia Loren & Alain Delon. We had another performance on the 9 th but She felt into a coma on the 10 th and past in the early hours on the 12 th. I was invited to her funeral at l ‘eglise de la Madeleine The service was extremely beautiful and so very emotional I went to Monaco cemetery recently to pay my respect for this Grande Dame 46 years later. Josephine paved the way for the Diana Ross Madonna Beyoncé and many other artists. A true legend. Unparalleled. ❤❤❤. La Bakair Forever. 🍌 💃 🕺

[@oshunmi7694]

Wow! What an incredible read….reading this and feeling that first hand experience….so delightful. So mesmerizing….thank you for sharing.

[@mahoganydreamer]

Is there a way to get in touch with you? I’m working on a project about Josephine Baker

[@shaudinmelgar-foraster7050]

Thank you for sharing that story!!!!!

[@sciencedavedunning3415]

Awesome !! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@cittaromap4163]

@@sciencedavedunning3415 you are so welcome. It’s my pleasure. Be well Vive La Baker

[@gwendolynmurray8201]

I have always been a fan of La Belle Josephine since I was a young girl. My mom couldn't stand her but I thought she was magnificent and the fact she spoke French intrigued me. She inspired me to learn French.

[@mimisatou1]

Well done well done... merci merci:) I knew nothing about Madam Josephine being honored in 2021. The event should've been in the papers and televisions in the U.S. luv it

[@MajorDenisBloodnok]

Josephine Baker was a great artist and became a great French citizen. We, French people, are very proud of her and very respectful of her memory. Being transferred in the Panthéon ("To great men, the greatful homeland") where she joined other great people as Jean Moulin, Émile Zola, André Malraux, Pierre et Marie Curie, Alexandre Dumas was a beautiful thing. As shown on the picture, during the 1963 March on Washington, she was wearing her Free French Airforce uniform and the French medals she received for her service to her new homeland...

[@michellebeckstrom6110]

She, like Hazel Scott, Bessie Coleman was so amazing and talented. I knew she was very famous but had no idea that France honored her so beautifully!!! Thank you for your amazing video on this beauty.

[@LeftieLori]

Thanks so much for sharing! Josephine is amazing!

[@SznOvSno]

This channel deserves alot more attention pls don't stop making these

[@rs5536]

I’m so glad the algorithm finally recommended you

[@cittaromap4163]

I don’t think my first comment was published. Thank you for the wonderful tribute on legendary Baker I had to honor to dance with josephine at Bobino 1975 Here is link for more photos and comments. Take care and thanks for keeping her legacy alive be well

[@cittaromap4163]

Great job wonderful profile on the Legendary Baker @22:21. I am the dancer on the left of the screen. I danced with this Iconic performer in Bobino 1975. Here is link with pics etc. be well. And thank you for keeping her legacy for years to decades to come

[@TheOnyxQueenChannel]

Amazing 🤩 what an honor. Thank you for sharing your experience with the legendary Ms. Baker.

[@cittaromap4163]

@@TheOnyxQueenChannel Hi the link never came through lol. Anyway here it is. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXaTf4mCgZWjgbc

[@choctawcat5676]

Great documentary 👏👏👏

[@NavigatorMother]

Seeing her later pictures and show stopping images; and hearing about her very early childhood, the financial underprivilege, the cut-throat world of show business as a black or white performer, Miss Josephine was several things I do believe. She was a consummate star and lady, who performed on her own terms, almost impossible a thing back then or now.A true mother, on her own terms, an activist and an old soul. I adore how she didn't allow the men in her lifcontrol her destiny.🙏🏼🌎❤️‍🩹🦋🧁🪷🌼😍🫱🏻‍🫲🏿💛✊🏽

[@KerenSongs]

Very interesting, thank you. I Au Paired in Paris, aged 18 and was so lucky to stay for three months at a property once owned by Josephine Baker. Treasured memories.

[@yvesbresson7837]

For m’y parents she remains thé best french artist

[@kristincheever2145]

This is a beautiful video. She is an amazing beauty, dancer, singer, fashionista, activist and trailblazer. I just ❤her!

[@strawberryoats570]

Thank you for making this!

[@helenannleeshung9028]

You narrated this perfectly !❤️❤️❤️👏🏿💯

[@TheManaArt]

I love your voice. If you don't already... you should read for audiobooks. 😊

[@TheOnyxQueenChannel]

Wow, thank you!

[@nicomist7990]

BEAUTIFUL! I Ioved this!

[@TheOnyxQueenChannel]

Thank you.

[@en6278]

she had great voice. this is a lesson about escaping adversity & finding a place you are allowed to flourish & be celebrated. she wouldve never had that in America. In europe she was considered exotic. she was black but lightskin enough to not be too threatening. yes she played into the stereotypes but that was just the times & you cant change that. In the long term she helped black performers progress cause she showed how they can be the stars of a show. which was almost unheard of in her early years.

[@TheOnyxQueenChannel]

Excellent point.

[@CourtneyDeez]

Amazing work on Josephine Baker's biography! ❤ You obviously spent much time & care in your research. It shows! The video is wonderful, & I love the way you narrated. Thank you for making this for us. I def appreciate your hard work, as I JUST learned of her and am now very fascinated & intrigued by her story. God Bless you, ma'am ❤ I hope life is treating you well ❤

[@TheOnyxQueenChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SamuelFRobinson]

I am impressed by your coverage

[@TheOnyxQueenChannel]

Thank you!

[@NavigatorMother]

Ps.. i had no idea she had such a sensational, beautifully natural French style tremolo voice! My eyes are wet! Brava, Madamoiselle Josefine, Brava!❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉

[@aricanyamsi]

Can we show this to children? Some of the Josephine Baker documentaries are rated R, so I just wanted to check.

[@TheOnyxQueenChannel]

Hi there. Yes it’s safe for children. There are some revealing costumes but if rated it would be PG.

[@Anchor5777]

Talented and her story is so interesting. She was pretty but she sure could make crazy faces.

[@MarvinHicks-dd7qb]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ICON ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@Sistermedusa1986]

Love Her ❤

[@deekrug7560]

Fascinating beautiful woman❤

[@keithhawthorne5630]

She said herself when She got to Paris that the French weren't right in the head with their ideas about black people. Well, She gave them what they came to see, a savage, freshly captured jungle person. But it worked out, being half white was a huge advantage, since black faces on stage were taboo. Marlena Dietrich starred in a movie with the very popular African theme in those days, stripping off a ferocious gorilla costume as a blond Venus. And like Dietrich She was very active entertaining soldiers during wartime, but She was also a spy. A true heroine on many levels. A national French treasure. I wonder if Joesephine wasn't an inspiration for Grace Jones.

[@marcdelente2456]

Joséphine Baker la divine est tellement belle lumineuse courageuse un grand coeur et au panthéon Joséphine Baker est éternel et intemporel pour des siecles.

[@TheOnyxQueenChannel]

Merci pour le partage.

[@HigherLvLs]

I love!

[@carlalamar6193]

❤

[@CymoneHicks-lz6fz]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@CymoneHicks-lz6fz]

💜💜💜💜💜

[@jasmineharper4707]

i like the part when she sing

[@CymoneHicks-lz6fz]

💎💎💎💎💎

[@bobyouel7674]

great stuff but some of the bad poverty should be told - we are too snowflaky

[@TheOnyxQueenChannel]

Thanks for watching. On this channel we celebrate and highlight the accomplishments of black women. I believe we covered Madame Baker’s impoverished background. We will continue to focus on the positive.

[@gwendolynmurray8201]

Speak for urself fool! Not ur video! U didn't have to watch!

[@baronvonsvengoonie853]

I wonder what the cheetah's name was

[@valp5268]

And they called her a Communist.

[@carakoroma1088]

I don’t like she was nude on stage.

[@Sistermedusa1986]

Love Her ❤