The Price Of Power: 7 Untold Facts About Eartha Kitt, Hollywood’s Most Dangerous Woman

Eartha Kitt was not just an entertainer; she was a force of nature, a "sex kitten" with a voice like velvet and claws of steel. Her journey from a cotton field in South Carolina to the stages of Broadway and Hollywood is legendary, yet her most defining moment—a courageous confrontation at the White House—is the key to understanding her decades-long struggle and her enduring relevance in the $\text{21}^{\text{st}}$ century. As of late $\text{2024}$, her legacy continues to be celebrated, with recent events and state declarations honoring her groundbreaking life, proving that the woman once blacklisted by the U.S. government is now rightfully recognized as an American icon.

This article dives into the untold chapters of her life, revealing the shocking price she paid for her outspokenness and how her fearless spirit cemented her status as one of Hollywood's most complex and captivating figures. From her controversial remarks on the Vietnam War to her iconic turn as Catwoman, Eartha Kitt remains a symbol of resilience and uncompromising truth.

The Comprehensive Profile: Eartha Mae Kitt, The International Star

Eartha Kitt was a true multi-hyphenate, excelling in singing, acting, dancing, and cabaret. Her distinctive, sensual vocal style and feline stage presence earned her the monikers "The most exciting woman in the world" and the original "Sex Kitten." She was a global phenomenon long before she became a household name in the United States.

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• Full Name: Eartha Mae Kitt (née Keith)
• Born: January 17, 1927, in North, South Carolina, U.S.
• Died: December 25, 2008 (Age 81), in Weston, Connecticut, U.S.
• Spouse: William "Bill" O. McDonald (m. 1960; div. 1965)
• Child: Kitt Shapiro (née McDonald)
• Career Start: Joined the Katherine Dunham Company (1940s) as a dancer.
• Major Songs: "Santa Baby" (1953), "C'est si bon (It's So Good)," "Uska Dara," "I Want to Be Evil."
• Iconic Roles: Catwoman in the $\text{1967}$ television series Batman (Season 3), Yzma (voice) in Disney's *The Emperor's New Groove* (2000).
• Awards: Two Emmy Awards, a Grammy nomination.
• Autobiographies: *Thursday's Child*, *Alone with Me*, and *I'm Still Here: Confessions of a Sex Kitten*.

Kitt’s early life was marked by poverty and hardship, starting as a cotton picker in the South before moving to New York City in her teens. Her talent quickly propelled her onto the international stage, performing in multiple languages and captivating audiences across Europe and the U.S.

The White House Incident: The Moment That Changed Everything

The pivotal moment in Eartha Kitt's career, and arguably her life, occurred on January 18, 1968. She was invited to a White House luncheon hosted by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, intended to discuss the issue of youth crime.

Instead of offering polite platitudes, Kitt used the platform to speak a difficult, uncomfortable truth.

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She courageously connected the youth crime problem to the Vietnam War, stating: "You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed. They rebel in the streets. They don't want to go to school because they're going to be snatched off from their mothers to be shot in Vietnam."

This statement, delivered directly to the First Lady, caused a furor. Lady Bird Johnson reportedly burst into tears, and the incident made headlines across the nation.

The consequence for Kitt was immediate and severe: she was effectively blacklisted in the United States.

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Her career in America deteriorated rapidly, and she spent the next decade performing almost exclusively overseas.

It was later revealed that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had compiled a dossier on Kitt, labeling her a "sadistic nymphomaniac" and a "highly-talented, extremely controversial, and temperamental Negro actress."

This government surveillance and the resulting blacklisting cemented her reputation as a "dangerous woman" simply for speaking out against a government policy.

Eartha Kitt's Enduring Cultural and Fashion Legacy

Despite the setbacks and the blacklisting, Eartha Kitt’s influence on modern music, fashion, and performance art is undeniable and continues to grow in the $\text{2020}$s.

The Original Catwoman and Style Icon

In $\text{1967}$, Eartha Kitt took on the role of Catwoman in the third and final season of the *Batman* television series, replacing Julie Newmar.

Her portrayal was instantly iconic. Her distinctive, purring voice and sleek, sensual movements brought a new dimension of danger and allure to the villain that remains unmatched.

The role, though brief, solidified her place in pop culture history and showcased her powerful, feline stage persona.

Her fashion sense—characterized by sleek silhouettes, dramatic jewelry, and an unapologetic embrace of glamour—has been cited as an inspiration by countless artists and designers.

Influence on Music and Modern Icons

Kitt's musical legacy extends far beyond her Christmas classic, "Santa Baby." Her unique blend of cabaret, jazz, and pop, delivered with a seductive, often satirical tone, paved the way for future generations of provocative female artists.

Madonna, who later covered "Santa Baby," and Diana Ross both acknowledged Kitt's groundbreaking style and performance as influential to their own careers.

Her willingness to tackle complex and controversial topics in her work, from "I Want to Be Evil" to her later voice roles, demonstrated an artistic versatility that few could match.

In her later career, she found a new generation of fans through her voice acting, most notably as the villain Yzma in Disney's *The Emperor's New Groove* and its spin-offs, a role that earned her multiple Emmy Awards and cemented her status as a beloved, if unconventional, icon.

The Eartha Kitt Renaissance: A $\text{2024}$ Legacy

Decades after the White House incident, the public and institutions are actively re-evaluating and celebrating Eartha Kitt's life and courage. This ongoing renaissance proves that her message and spirit were simply ahead of their time.

In a significant move that highlights her enduring importance, the state of South Carolina declared January 17th (her birthday) as Eartha Kitt Day, a testament to her rags-to-riches journey and her global impact.

Furthermore, her legacy is frequently the subject of museum events and retrospectives, such as the event honoring her groundbreaking life at the International African American Museum in early $\text{2024}$.

The story of Eartha Kitt is a powerful lesson in integrity. She sacrificed her career at its peak in the U.S. to speak her truth, only to have her legacy fully embraced by the world in the years that followed. Her life stands as a testament to the power of an uncompromising voice, proving that true artistry and activism are inseparable. The "Sex Kitten" who dared to challenge the establishment is now, more than ever, a celebrated icon of strength, style, and intellectual honesty.