Lena Horne, the Legend, Dies at 92

Lena Horne, the legendary performer, and iconic singer- actress who broke the barriers for black women in Hollywood, died of a heart ailment at the New York- Presbyterian Hospital on May 9.

Throughout a career that spanned six decades, Ms Horne was the epitome of elegance and dignity, whether she was singing, acting, or championing racial equality.

Often considered one of the most beautiful women in the world, Ms Horne made her Hollywood breakthrough in early 1940s when she became the first woman of color in Hollywood to secure a long-term, meaningful contract with a major studio, MGM. At a time when black women were only portrayed as hefty, funny maids in Hollywood movies, this contract specifically mentioned that she would never have to play a maid. Ms Horne, with her composed and dignified on screen presence, paved the way for black women in Hollywood. All along her career, she has been an inspiration and over the years, many African-American performers have been empowered by her example. Oscar winning star, Halle Berry, while accepting the Academy Award for Best Actress for Monsters’ Ball in 2001, called Ms Horne an inspiration.

During the 1930s, when Ms Horne was beginning her career as a young dancer at Harlem’s legendary Cotton Club, appearing on Broadway, and singing and touring with her band, she experienced firsthand discrimination against black performers. This is the reason why she was determined not to play roles that rested on racial stereotypes.

She garnered most of her reputation and acclaim because of the two 1943 all-black musicals that she starred in- ‘Cabin in the Sky’ and ‘Stormy Weather’. In the latter, her rendition of the title track became a major hit and her signature tune.

Following her success, she became one of the first black performers to share the screen with white entertainers. However, the racial discrimination was still a norm, as her portions in the movies would be clipped out for screening the movies in the South.

She was the first black actor to receive star treatment, and MGM went on to feature Ms Horne glamorously in movies and advertisements alongside white stars like Rita Hayworth and Betty Garble.

The MGM contract made her a superstar and eventually she began featuring on television and at major concerts in cities around the world. She made two starring appearances on Broadway too, of which the latter- the 1981 cabaret ‘Lena Horne: The Lady And Her Music’- became a sensation garnering rave reviews and earned her a special Tony Award and two Grammy Awards.