backwards and in high heels.
Sure he was great, but dont forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did…
The comment that the dancer Ginger Rogers did everything that her partner Fred Astaire did, but ‘backwards and in high heels’ and therefore with extra difficulty, is often attributed to Rogers herself. Rogers, however, denied it, although she recounted an anecdote which gave force to the expression.
In her autobiography My Story (1991), she said that she generally practised in low heels, and changed to higher heels when filming. When choreographing 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’, Fred Astaire forgot that she would be wearing high heels. As a result, trying to achieve 'a backwards three-step turn-jump up the stairs', she nearly lost her balance. She believed, though, that the actual line was the coinage of the cartoonist Bob Thaves.
Years after the near-fall she described, a friend sent her a cartoon by Bob Thaves, in his 'Frank and Ernest’ series, from a Los Angeles newspaper. In the cartoon, Frank and Ernest are shown gazing at a billboard announcing a Fred Astaire film festival. The caption reads: 'Sure he was great, but don't forget that Ginger Rogers did everything he did…backwards and in high heels.’
Regardless of who said what, that quote has lasted because it resonates. Ginger Rogers really was doing all the same things that Fred Astaire was doing- in fact, she was doing MORE. It took her longer to get ready because as a woman, she was required to maintain a standard of beauty (on and off the screen) that her co-star was not. She was competing for fewer roles to begin with, and she would age out of pictures much earlier so her time to perfect her craft was shorter too. And she did all of this for HALF the pay of her co-star.
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This quote endures because it so perfectly encapsulates the experience of being a woman.
Meet Joy
Hello, I'm Joy, a dedicated development professional, a mom, and a passionate entrepreneur deeply committed to making a positive impact in both my personal and professional life. With a background in development in a number of industries, I've honed my skills in building success under any circumstance. As a single mother, I understand the challenges of juggling family and career, and I bring that resilience and determination into every aspect of my life. My entrepreneurial spirit drives me to constantly seek innovative solutions and create opportunities for growth. Beyond my work and family, I am actively involved in my community, volunteering and collaborating to foster positive change. Join me on this journey as we navigate the exciting intersection of personal and professional development while making our community a better place for all.