Carol Channing: The Greatest Genes in Showbiz

The release of my new novel, Escape: Book One of the Unchained Trilogy, is getting close! My wonderful cover artist, Renae Denbow, is in the process of designing a new cover. 

So now I'm focused on writing Masquerade, which is part two.  Lavinia, the product of a mixed race marriage, is the main character, and she runs away from home to live as an actress and pass as white.

While working on Lavinia's story, I thought about Broadway sensation Carol Channing.  When she was 16, her mother exposed a family secret. Channing’s paternal grandmother was black. Her mother also warned that if Carol had children, it was possible that that part of her ancestry just might show up.

Unfazed by this new knowledge, Channing went on to win accolades for her performances in “Hello Dolly!” and “Gentleman Prefer Blondes.”

Channing didn’t reveal her African American ancestry until 2002, at the age of 81, when she wrote her memoir, Just Lucky I Guess.  Still alive at 91, Channing says she was never ashamed of being part black. Because of the common stereotypes about blacks being naturals at singing and dancing, Channing believed herself to be a better performer.  In her memoir she said, “I thought I had the greatest genes in showbiz."

Did you happen to catch Carol Channing's revelation? Thanks for visiting!