-Dorothy Dandridge
As her acting career had stalled, Dorothy decided to return to singing. She hired accompanist and arranger Phil Moore to help her create a nightclub act. She had a limited range, but she compensated with gorgeous gowns, charisma, and her talent for "acting" a song. Though she was successful, performing live terrified her, and she hated the leering men in the audience.
Dorothy broke boundaries in her nightclub career. In many clubs, she was the first African American performer. She could not completely avoid racism though. Usually, she was required to enter through the service entrance. Sometimes she was even denied access to the restrooms and was forced to urinate in a cup.
Despite her nightclub income, Dorothy still struggled with her finances. The cost of gowns, classes, and her accompanist left little money for she and Harolyn's living expenses. She still needed Hollywood success in order to make enough money as a performer.
One night at a party, Moore introduced Dorothy to talent agent Earl Mills. She sang for him, and he was so enchanted that he offered to manage her career. She accepted his offer and Mills began searching for the dramatic roles that she coveted.
Mills soon found the perfect role for Dorothy in Otto Preminger's new all-black production of Carmen Jones. Originally a stage show, the musical used the score from Bizet's opera Carmen and added updated lyrics in English. Dorothy wanted desperately to be Carmen.
Dorothy went to see Preminger, impeccably dressed and ladylike. Preminger insisted that this delicate creature could not be his Carmen. He told her to come back prepared to read for the role of sweet-natured Cindy Lou.
Dorothy was furious that Preminger did not recognize her potential. However, she was determined to show Preminger that she was meant for the role. She showed up to read for Cindy Lou in a messy wig, tight skirt, sexy top, and high heels. Before she even spoke, Preminger declared her his Carmen.
During production, Preminger and Dorothy started a romance that would continue after the final cut. He was married, but estranged from his wife. However, he did not feel the time was right to attempt a mixed color marriage and he eventually left her.
Carmen Jones was the biggest role of Dorothy's career. The movie was a commercial and critical success and she earned the first Academy Award nomination for an African American lead actress. Though she lost the award to Grace Kelly, the African American community called Dorothy their queen.
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