Mae West & Sex

I heard the most amazing story on public radio this morning.


In 1928, on this very day, Mae West (a personal film hero of mine), was just launching her career by writing, directing and starring in a Broadway play called SEX.


In her words, the play was about “a woman who gets a reputation and doesn’t mind at all.” You’ve got to love a woman who’s willing to take it so far out in 1928!


The play was panned by the critics, drew large audiences anyway. But the reason this is NEWS is because midway through the run, the entire cast and crew was arrested. Mae herself spent 10 days in jail. The rest were released.


You’d think she’d have gone on to have a career as a porn star, or none at all.


But instead, she ended up in Hollywood. In the now famous scene, a woman compliments Mae West’s diamond jewelry, saying, “My goodness. How beautiful.”


And West replies, “My dear, goodness has nothing to do with it.”

the ever sexy ever attitudinal Mae West

She was an instant sensation. Soon, she was starring opposite Cary Grant. One year, she was the SECOND HIGHEST PAID PERSON IN AMERICA, right after William Randolph Hearst.


It's funny because, just two nights ago, I was trying to sing a part in the studio, and the thing that finally got me over the hump -- of summoning enough attitude & technical prowess -- was pretending I was a drunken Mae West.


As an artist & entertainer, this is the lesson I got from this story.


1. Never be afraid to be yourself. We gravitate towards people who go their own way, who stand out from the pack.


2. Go all the way! Even if you need to tame it down later, it’s way better to know who you are then never to have discovered it. If you can’t find the essence of what makes you you, why would others be interested?


3. Sometimes you just need to hold on ‘til the curve catches up with you.


4. Etiquette is overrated. We’ve always been a little hungry for the bad girls. And someone who’ll tell it like it is.


Leaving for the West Coast tour tonight. If you know anyone in Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe, San Diego, San Francisco, or LA, please spread the word.


Mae West’s story will be my inspiration to turn the heat up a few notches, let the provocateur within me out to play.


Who’s your favorite bad girl in Hollywood or rock ‘n roll?
~Jessie


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