Creating Carmen Miranda: Race, Camp, and Transnational Stardom

Carmen Miranda fell during a performance in 1955 but got back up to continue dancing. She later died of heart failure at the age of 46. Her life exemplified the power of her cultural roots, and she was an icon for Brazilian and Latin American audiences, a symbol of courage and charisma for the gay community, and a work of art personified.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2022
Publisher: Vanderbilt University Press

Carmen Miranda's resilience was evident when she appeared on The Jimmy Durante Show on August 4, 1955. During a dance number, she suddenly took a knee, clearly in distress. However, her performance did not falter as Durante seamlessly covered for her, and Miranda quickly regained her composure to continue showcasing her exceptional talent. Tragically, just a day later, at the age of 46, Miranda passed away from heart failure.

This final performance showcased Carmen Miranda's remarkable power. The actress, singer, and dancer relentlessly pursued her mission to demonstrate the theatrical force of her cultural roots in Brazil. With her bold fashion choices, including bare-midriff dresses, platform shoes, and iconic fruit-basket headdresses, Miranda captivated audiences in films such as That Night in Rio and The Gang's All Here. For American film viewers, she represented the exotic allure of a mysterious and sensual South America. For Brazilian and Latin American audiences, she became an icon. For the gay community, she became a work of art personified and a symbol of courage and charisma.

In her book, Creating Carmen Miranda, Kathryn Bishop-Sanchez delves into the intricate ways Miranda deliberately crafted her performance to shape her representation of race, gender, and camp culture. Through this, she furthered her journey toward becoming a legendary figure.

Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826505286