Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Slave to Uniqueness: Grace Jones


She paved the way with her high top fade. She opened the door for Lady Gaga, Lil' Kim and Nikki Minaj.  Grace Jones is the androgynous entertainer that shocked and wowed the industry in the 1970's and 1980's.

Born Grace Mendoza in Spanish Town, Jamaica in 1948. Ironically, her father was a minister. Her family left the island and came to New York in 1968. She soon started modeling and signed a recording contract with Island Records in 1977.

The then disco queen transformed in to a new age goddess in the 80's. The entertainer won a Grammy in 1983 for her long video, A One Man Show and in 1986 she won a MTV Video Music Award for her hit, Pull Up to My Bumper. Jones starred in 19 films including Conan the Barbarian and Boomerang.

Jones was best known for her antics and her unique personal taste. At times a welcome gesture would be a lick to the face. Conan co-star, Arnold Swarzenegger complained that Jones was "too tough" during the filming.  She hobnobed with Andy Warhol and was once engaged to actor Dolph Lundgren.



Jones quoted, "Models are there to look like mannequins, not like real people. Art and illusion are supposed to be fantasy."

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