Which Leading Lady of the 20th Century Are You? ~ Air Signs ~

By Shelby Sweet

Air Signs Edition: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius

** Remember to check your sun, moon, and rising signs! ** And subscribe to The Ramm Report for the rest of the signs’ Leading Lady style icon!

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Gemini: Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926)

There can be no arguments that with her tight tousled curls, unique breathy voice, and hourglass figure, Marilyn Monroe is one of the most memorable style icons of all time.

Her likeness has inspired hundreds of upcoming stars and designers! With her dazzling smile and indescribable sex appeal, Monroe has certainly left her mark on the world; however, there is so much more to the blonde bombshell than history gives her credit for.

Yes, Monroe’s style was iconic. She could look just as glamorous in blue jeans as she could in the skin-tight flesh-colored rhinestone dress she wore to JFK’s 45th birthday celebration. Lipstick and mascara were always a must, but while she sang about diamonds being a girl’s best friend, Monroe actually preferred costume jewelry over anything fine or exquisite.

Like a true Gemini, Monroe was a patchwork of different identities sewn together to create a truly magnificent woman. After escaping her unstable childhood, she became known as Marilyn Monroe, but she often referred to this simply as her stage persona — even referring to “Marilyn” in third person.

While most don’t know her for her intellect, Monroe’s library consisted of more than 400 books of all types, and of subjects ranging from literature, drama, and history to theology, philosophy, and psychology. She admired great minds and men of intelligence, including Albert Einstein and her third husband, renowned playwright, Arthur Miller.

She was also an activist and an avid supporter of the civil rights movement. She was involved in the freedom rider protests, believing that everyone has a right to “twinkle.” Being a huge Ella Fitzgerald fan, she also used her status to help Fitzgerald land a spot at the Mocambo, one of LA’s famous nightclubs, by promising to be there, front row, every night.

But Monroe’s life was not all glitz and glamor. With a family history of mental health issues, several miscarriages, and later developing severe performance anxiety — sometimes she needed to escape the Hollywood spotlight. To traverse the streets unrecognized, Monroe would quite literally become a different person. She’d put on a dark wig and sunglasses and don the name “Zelda Zonk.”

Monroe was a shining star who was taken far too soon, but she has left behind a legacy of beauty and grace that has and will continue to inspire millions for many generations to come.

Libra: Rita Hayworth (October 17, 1918)

Dubbed “The Love Goddess,” Rita (Margarita) Hayworth was as beautiful as she was talented. Born to a Spanish father and Irish-American mother, Hayworth was an Hispanic bombshell and master of aesthetics (like a true Libra). She would often alter her appearance and hair color for her roles, and her trademark auburn hair was dyed. She was even willing to go through the painful process of electrolysis in order to raise her hairline so she would be chosen for more roles.

Hayworth appeared in over 60 films throughout her career. She is best known for her strong and sexy femme-fatal roles and her classy, glamorous style. She was often seen in sleek, elbow-length gloves and long, body-hugging gowns in patterns of floral or lace, with her hair fashioned in pin-waved locks.

Rita Hayworth caught the eye of a Hollywood producer when she was only a teenager. She was a brilliant dancer, and was partnered with the likes of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire (who later named her as his favorite dance partner). It was her film with Astaire, “You’ll Never Get Rich” (1941), that really put her on America’s radar, but she is most well-known for her role in “Gilda” (1946), a sexual film noir depicting the line between love and hate.

In a black-and-white lace nightgown on a bed of satin sheets, Hayworth became the unofficial pin-up photo for men serving overseas in WWII. Her second husband, Orson Welles, reportedly fell in love with her from just seeing that photo. However, despite her explosive sexual charisma in front of a camera, he left her when he realized she was rather shy in person and had a broken heart from her abusive father and first husband.

She never found what she always wanted — a stable home life and family. Life broke her heart. However, when her early-onset Alzheimer’s disease forced her to retire from acting (Hayworth was the first actress to suffer publicly from the disease), Hayworth’s daughter, Princess Yasmin, took care of her until her death in 1987.

In honor of her mother, Princess Yasmin helped organize Alzheimer’s Disease International, becoming its president and bringing about national awareness to the disease.

Aquarius: Carmen Miranda (February 9, 1909)

There is no one better suited to showcase the quirky, unique style of Aquarius than this Portuguese-born Brazilian singer. Carmen Miranda was a vibrant and captivating woman known as the “Brazilian Bombshell.”

When she was at her peak during WWII, she was the highest paid female entertainer in Hollywood, and in 1941, Miranda was the first Latin American to be invited to leave her handprint (and high-heeled footprint!) on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

She was world-renowned for her towering, over-the-top fruit-salad hats and platform shoes. She is credited for pioneering the introduction of Brazil’s samba music to the world, and even if you’ve never heard her name, her likeness was a cultural phenomenon that has stood the test of time.

Miranda was known to be in perpetual motion. She was constantly twirling her skirts, rolling her eyes, or swinging her hips and hands. Her style was inspired by the street vendors and poor from the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. She was only five feet tall, but her trademark turbans were piled high with fabric, feathers, and even baskets of fruit! She was always decked out in bright, vivid colors and draped in layers upon layers of beads, with a combination of sequins and rhinestones to accentuate her natural radiance.

With her supreme singing and dancing talent, she became an overnight success, and less than a year after her introduction to Broadway, she got a contract with 20th Century Fox. Her first movie-musical “Down the Argentine Way” (1940) was a hit!

Unfortunately, as Miranda’s shining star rose in America, her popularity back home decreased steadily. Initially, she stood as a symbol of strengthening diplomatic ties between the United States and Brazil. As her career progressed, however, her fellow countrymen started to feel that Miranda had become too Americanized — a belief she firmly disagreed with and even wrote a song to combat.

Sadly, Hollywood couldn’t find many acting roles for her in the post-war entertainment landscape. So, Miranda returned to performing live shows and focusing on her music. She continued to top Billboard charts until her early death in 1955.

Miranda’s body was brought back to Brazil, and her funeral procession through Rio de Janeiro brought thousands together to celebrate her short life and lasting legacy of bringing Brazilian culture to the world stage.