Look at me and tell me if I don’t have Brazil in every curve of my body.

Carmen Miranda Quotes

Like burlesque dancers the iconic Carmen Miranda had a handle or two. She was also known by the taglines, ‘The Brazilian Bombshell’ and the original ‘Chiquita Banana Girl’.

The late Carmen Miranda was a Portuguese-born Brazilian. She became a star in America during the 1940s and 1950s as a samba singer, dancer, Broadway actress and film star. Miranda worked her way up from the age of 14, at a tie shop to help pay for her sister’s medical bills.

By 1945, Carmen Miranda was the highest paid woman in the United States, according to Sinuous Magazine. Her name became synonymous with fruit hats and her platform sandals. Her image is still one of the most memorable in pop culture history.

Though, her life wasn’t lived without critics. She was judged in America for her poor grasp of the English language and for being “too black”. Yet, she was also judged in Brazil for being Americanized and for being the poster girl of the “Latino bimbo” stereotype.

She hit back with such memorable Carmen Miranda quotes as, “I say 20 words in English. I say money, money, money, and I say hot dog! I say yes, no and I say money, money, money and I say turkey sandwich and I say grape juice.” By laughing in the face of criticism, she showed what a strong woman she was and why she deserves to be an influential figure.

Watch Carmen Miranda perform ‘Chica Chica Boom Chic’ originally seen in The Night in Rio (1941):

Check out The Wisdom of Ellen DeGeneres…

Burlexe is a sensational London burlesque show inspired by the women who created the genre and perform the art. It fuses burlesque performance with storytelling, dancing with acting.

Find out more about our unique burlesque show and join our mailing list.

(Main image from Sinuous Magazine)