Legend: Jean Idelle

Jean Idelle: Featured Legend of Red Hots Burlesque

Oh Mondays, you always come too early. But at least you bring some gorgeous legends just for us!

JEAN IDELLE
born February 27

If any of you attended last year’s Burlesque Hall of Fame, you’ll know that there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when Jean Idelle performed one of her mesmerizing fan dances for the first time in decades. In her heyday, she sang, danced and was especially sought out for her skill with lush white ostrich feather fans. Ms. Idelle headlined shows at Chicago’s Rialto Theater from 1950 to 1964 and was one of the first black performers to dance with white dancers in a time where segregation still prevailed. “When I danced the white crowds came in to see the black woman, which was taboo in those days,” Ms. Idelle shared with Red Hots. “After I was finished dancing they forgot all about my race and just appreciated a good performance by an elegant and skillful burlesque dancer. Talent is the greatest equalizer. If you got it, you got it.”