Carmen Miranda: the path to fame

Surely many people know this name - Carmen Miranda. Her talent for the public became known in the 1920s. In 1933, she played her first role in the feature film "The Voice of the Carnival", and also signed a long-term contract with the radio Rádio Mayrink Veiga. However, we learn about how Miranda managed to achieve such dizzying successes from our article.

Childhood star

The famous actress was born in 1909, on February 9. Her homeland was Portugal. In the family the girl was the second child. Mother Carmen was called Maria Emilia Miranda, and her father was Jose Maria Pinto de Cunha. When the baby was not yet a year old, the head of the family decided to emigrate to Brazil. Later, the whole family followed him. It should be noted that until the very last days Carmen did not abandon Portuguese citizenship, despite the fact that she never lived in this country.

On a permanent residence, the family moved to the poor area of Rio de Janeiro. There, Jose opened a hairdresser. It should be said that little Carmen began to show artistic abilities from her earliest childhood. Parents learned early on that the girl dreams of becoming a singer or an actress. Neither Mom nor Dad Carmen shared her desire for world fame, so the little girl stopped showing her talents.

Later, Carmen again declared her desire to become a star. This was supported by her mother, for which she was later beaten by the head of the family. Father raised his hand to his wife only because she allowed her daughter to be casted on a radio show.

Youth and study Carmen

Miranda studied at the school at the monastery of Saint Therese of Lisieux. It is noteworthy that Carmen is not the real name of the girl. Her parents called her Maria. Such a nickname she received from her father, thanks to her love for the opera "Carmen". At age 12, the girl was already performing at parties in Chicago, singing her songs. Two years later, Carmen had to get a job as a saleswoman, as the girl's sister was sick with tuberculosis. Money for her treatment was sorely lacking. Working in a hat shop, she managed to open her own shop, which, by the way, was quite profitable. Miranda's clients said that the girl constantly sang.

The first steps to success

One day a nice man came to the store to Carmen, who accidentally heard her sing. It turned out that the visitor was the producer Rádio Mayrink Veiga. He immediately suggests the girl to perform in one of his shows. And a two-year contract was signed. In 1933, Carmen was invited to appear in a film called "The Voice of the Carnival". By the end of the decade the girl becomes a real star.

Career peak

In 1939 Carmen Miranda participates in the American musical revue. She performs the compositions on Broadway. In addition, after another speech, the girl is introduced to US President Roosevelt. Despite the fact that the meeting took place in a politicized way, it did not at all embarrass the young talented actress. Soon, Carmen Miranda was in Hollywood. Here, in North America, she becomes a real star. The audience appreciated her immense talent and sparkling energy. In all the films she was offered the same role. Seductive beauty, dancing in the Brazilian style, always wore frank outfits, shoes on a high platform and an original hat resembling a basket of fruit. Thanks to the latter, Carmen was even given the nickname Lady with a tutti-frutti hat.

Years of popularity of the actress fell during the Second World War. At this time she became the most popular and highly paid actress. Carmen Miranda played in 14 films. The actress did not refuse to participate in the show on TV either. One of the most popular and sensational films, in which Carmen starred, was the comedy musical "The whole gang in the collection" (1943). I remembered the fans the song that Carmen Miranda performed, "Tiko-tiko." It is worth saying that this composition is still very popular even among the younger generation.

Recession

Miranda's fame did not last long. After the end of World War II, her career declined. The last film in which the actress played is called "Scared to death". After leaving the television screens, Carmen Miranda, whose biography is described in detail in our article, was still trying to stay afloat, but the former popularity still did not bother her.

Last years of life. "Alley of Glory"

In the last years of her life, the actress fell into a serious depression. While participating in the show The Jimmy Durante Show, Miranda had a heart attack. The actress died the same day in her mansion in Beverly Hills. It turned out that Carmen was not the first heart attack. And it happened because of the abuse of alcohol and drugs. The actress died very early - at the age of 46.

The body, at the request of Miranda, was transported to Brazil. More than 60 thousand people attended her funeral, and about half a million followed her coffin. It is also important that the "Star of Glory" is decorated with the star of Miranda. In Portugal, in memory of the great actress, several museums are open.