Five Tidbits About The Woman Who Inspired Our Name
The first black superstar.
Aprés Josephine takes its name from style icon, World War II spy, activist and entertainer Josephine Baker. The world’s first black superstar, not counting Jesus.
Photo Credit: La Centrale Cinematographique
As a young child, I watched “A Josephine Baker Story” starring Lynn Whitfield, and my life has been forever altered. I have no doubt in my mind it was this movie that led me to my proclivity for french things.
I was fascinated by the story of the American-born “French” entertainer. So much so, I had even thought I was the reincarnation of Josephine Baker; alas, giving that up because she had died well before I was born, and because of my rigid left foot. I came to accept that I would never grow up to be much of a dancer. I do have rhythm.
As an adult, however, the objectification of Josephine Baker makes these memories a little more complicated.
Eight years ago, a women’s organization in Paris hosted “The Glamourous Primitive: Josephine Baker.” The event’s purpose appeared to be for the deconstruction of Josephine Baker’s image, which propelled her to success.
But, what’s in a word?
Especially during a time when the darker citizens of France’s colonies were being ill-treated. Baker embraced the stereotypes that may not have, in fact, pertained to her. Who in the new world, from St. Louis, would ever encounter a Cheetah? But, yet, Baker owned a Cheetah that she named Chiquita, who made the rounds in papers throughout Europe.
Here’s some interesting things about Josephine Baker that every expat should know.
“You know, friends, that I do not lie to you when I tell you I have walked into the palaces of kings and queens and into the houses of presidents. And much more. But I could not walk into a hotel in America and get a cup of coffee, and that made me mad.”
Married Twice
Baker married twice in her teenage years, at 13 years old and again at 15 years old. It was her second husband, Willie Baker, whose last name she would retain throughout her life.
Became a Spy
She risked her life to be a spy for France during World War II. The entertainer, who once supported Mussoline’s invasion of Ethiopia, toured throughout Europe carrying sheet music with secret messages written in invisible ink. Also, Baker carried secret photos of German military installations, pinned to her underwear.
She Adopted 12 Children
Josephine Baker is well-known for adopting a dozen children that were dubbed “The Rainbow Tribe.” Her 12 children of different ‘races’ lived at her Chateau in the South of France, Les Milandes. But, did you know that she operated a theme park of sorts at her chateau? The main attraction: The rainbow tribe.
She Found Fame in France
Josephine Baker was 19 years old when she appeared on stage at Théâtre des Champs-Élysées for her performance in La Revue Nègre. During the performance, Baker would wear 16 bananas and do the “danse sauvage,” which would propel her to global stardom. “I became famous first in France in the twenties. I just couldn’t stand America and I was one of the first coloured Americans to move to Paris. Oh yes, Bricktop was there as well. Me and her were the only two, and we had a marvellous time. Of course, everyone who was anyone knew Bricky. And they got to know Miss Baker as well.”
She was allegedly bisexual
The fluidity of sexuality was a lot more difficult to embrace during the legendary entertainer’s lifetime. It was the early 20th century, after all. "She was what today you would call bisexual, and I will tell you why. Forget that I am her son, I am also a historian. You have to put her back into the context of the time in which she lived. In those days, Chorus Girls were abused by the white or black producers and by the leading men if he liked girls. But they could not sleep together because there were not enough hotels to accommodate black people. So they would all stay together, and the girls would develop lady lover friendships," said Jean Claude-Baker, an honorary 13th member of the Rainbow Tribe. But, despite her same-sex relationships, Baker would allegedly banish one of her sons after finding him in a bathtub with another boy.