Before Las Vegas, there was Havana. In the late 1940s and early 1950s cabarets, theatres, casinos, nightclubs and resorts began to abound on the island, each with a unique show, in which showgirls used their beauty, eroticism & artistic qualities to entertain audiences from all over the world. Rumba, mambo y chachachá were the soundtrack that accompanied the nights of partying. Americans loved life in Cuba. Many of them even moved to Havana; and those who couldn’t, visited frequently. In Florida, there were those who took the ferry with their cars on Friday night, slept throughout the journey, and woke up in Havana in Saturday morning, they would spend a weekend of fun in Cuba & on Sunday night they would return, sleep the whole trip away, and wake up in Miami at 7 AM ready for work. Cuba was a must-see destination, not only for tourists, but also for famous artists. From Josephine Baker to Nat King Cole, numerous stars had important seasons in Havana. A year before the revolution cuba had a higher per-capita income than Autria and Japan. Cuban workers had the 8th highest wages in the world and more Americans lived in Cuba than Cubans in America. #fyp #cabaret #explore #showgirl #cuban #aesthetic #latina

Meet Meche Carreño: Mexican actress, showgirl and dancer, symbol of the sexual revolution and beauty icon. Meche represents, among a lot of things, the sexual revolution, the woman's liberation movement, the rejection of patriarchy and misogyny and women empowerment. Of indigenous descent, Meche was born and raised in the state of Veracruz, in southern Mexico. When she was very young she moved to the countrie's capital, and as a teenager she studied drama at the national association of actors, ANDA. Her first experiences as an actress were in experimental theater, with the revolutionary director and artist Alejandro Jodorowsky. She complemented her acting experience by working as a model, where she caused a furor with daring swimsuits. It was the 60's, and the evolution of the sexual revolution opened the doors of the entertainment world, where she became one of the most important sex symbols of the time. Meche was like a Latin Brigitte Bardot. She represented the image of youthful sensuality, which in combination with her ethnic beauty (of Nahua descent), made her one of the central figures of Mexican erotic cinema. Her film performances were polarizing. Conservatives hated her, claiming she had no talent beyond showing off her body; Liberals loved her; they saw her performances as a symbol of rebelliousness, which was very much in line with the spirit of the times. She is also remembered for her performance alongside regional Mexican music icon Juan Gabriel in his biopic 'Noa Noa' in 1981. Sadly, she passed away on July last year. Meche had spent the last years of her life retired from the public eye. She lived intermittently between Paris and Los Angeles, where she dedicated herself to the care and preservation of dogs of the Xoloitzcuintle breed, a pre-Hispanic canine species that survived the conquest.

Iris Peynado, a multi-talented Dominican artist, has solidified her status as a veritable icon in the realm of European cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. Hailing from the vibrant city of Santo Domingo, Iris embarked on her artistic journey at a young age, immersing herself in the realms of acting under the tutelage of the esteemed master Rómulo Rivas, and the art of dance at the prestigious academy of Clara Elena Ramírez. At 18, Iris ventured to England to pursue her studies in the theatrical arts, thus beginning a transformative chapter in her life. It was during this time that her remarkable beauty caught the eye of visionary film director Federico Fuzzoli, propelling her into the captivating world of cinema as an actress in 1982. Distinguished as an icon of Italian film, Iris's allure stems from her captivating blend of Caribbean beauty, resplendent brown skin, entrancing blue eyes, and her signature afro hairstyle. These distinctive features set her apart from her contemporaries and catapulted her into the spotlight. Furthermore, Iris's significance is magnified by the fact that she was among the scant number of actresses of color gracing the European film industry during that era. Follow her on Instagram @irispeynado This post was inspired by @vintage_beauty5, make sure to follow them ✨ #irispeynado #showgirl #afrolatina #latina #dominican #latinahistory #80s #70s #afro #vedette

Actress, dancer, stripper, comedienne, impersonator, performer, singer, showgirl, TV hostess. The list goes on, making Alejandra Bogue one of the most influential queer performers in México during the late 20th century. Alejandra first approach to the world of entertainment happened in 1979 when she was only 14 years old. At the time, the artistic and cultural life of the country’s capital was concentrated in a single place, the bar ‘El 9’. There, she was exposed to a whole new ambience, one in which identities and artforms couldn’t be easily defined. By the early-1980s she was already a recognized figure of the city’s nightlife circuits, in addition to working as a model and an actress. Her striking beauty captivated American photographer Joel Peter Witkin, who immortalized her in The Soul Has No Gender, a controversial image in which Alejandra embodies a phallic Frida Kahlo. In the following decade, Alejandra moved from Mexico City to Acapulco, where she began a career as a celebrity impersonator at The Gallery, an internationally renowned club. The show was a very Las Vegas-style. In just a couple of months, Alejandra went from being a newcomer to the star of the venue. There she develop a new artistic phase, this time as a showgirl. Upon her return to Mexico City, Alejandra left behind the glamour of clubs to pursue a career as a dramatic actress. She joined an all-star cast in the staging of Jean Genet’s The Maids, play with which she had full house performances for 2 years, and which earned her the recognition as a female revelation by the national association of theatre critics in 1998. Alejandra became the first transgender person to be taken seriously as an artist in the history of Mexico, which eventually allowed her to continue her career in television. She is currently living the best moment of her career. La Bogue hosts her own show on Youtube: She performs comedy sketches and interviews, always with the aim of highlighting Mexico's queer history. In television, she works as an actress in telenovelas for Mexico's most important television network and has expanded her acting credits in major international streaming service productions.

Atención CDMX: Este domingo 18 de junio se estrena la versión restaurada del clásico del cine nacional “Aventurera” en @museodelchopo 💃🏻❤️‍🔥 ¡¡¡Por primera vez en alta definición, como cuando se estrenó en 1950!!! La película será presentada por la directora de cine Viviana García Besné, el curador y experto en arte Aldo Sánchez (@aldosanchez79) y el historiador cinematográfico David Ramón. ¡Entrada Libre!

Daniela Santiago as Cristina Ortiz in the 2020 series "Veneno". @danielasantiago___'s portrayal of the iconic Spanish showgirl deserves endless admiration and gratitude. Her masterful interpretation breathed life into the character, captivating audiences and leaving an indelible mark. The series as a whole serves as a shining example, demonstrating the importance of shedding light on the narratives of sex symbols, sex workers, and transgender individuals. Such stories are not only worthy of being told but demand to be told, particularly when approached with the same level of mastery and finesse exhibited by directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi in their work on "Veneno." Their directorial prowess has reaffirmed that these narratives are not only successful in their own right but possess an inherent timelessness, resonating with audiences from all walks of life. Now, three years have elapsed since the initial premiere of "Veneno," and the hunger for similar narratives remains unquenched. Within the collective memory, countless stories of revolutionary showgirls who fearlessly embraced their sexuality in the face of prejudice eagerly await their turn to be unveiled. It is necessary that more creatives rise to the occasion, embracing the responsibility to bring these stories to life, to celebrate the untold tales of these extraordinary individuals who defied societal norms and left an indelible impact on culture. The stage is set, awaiting the next groundbreaking masterpiece that will inspire, educate, and illuminate us all.

"Mujer Caminando" a series by Mexican photographer Nacho Lopez , 1955. This series was one of the multiple social experiments of the Mexican photographer to understand human behavior. In this case, it was about seeing the average reaction to an exuberant woman, the model chosen was Maty Huitron, showgirl and actress, who would later become an eminence of the performing arts in Mexico.

From telenovelas to Hollywood: the story of Sônia Braga. In 1975 in Brazil Gabriela was the name on everyone's lips. But Gabriela was not a person, it was a soap opera starring then newcomer actress Sônia Braga, who became a true celebrity for starring in this telenovela. Strange to think it was a soap opera, and not a movie, what solidified Sônia's icon status. Especially given the amount of soap operas being produced in Latin America at that time. But "Gabriela" was more than just a telenovela. It was actually a plot by Jorge Amado; the best known, most prolific and most translated Brazilian writer in history. His work is one of the most significant of modern Brazilian fiction, being essentially focused on national roots: folklore , politics , beliefs , traditions and the sensuality of the Brazilian people, thus contributing to the dissemination of this aspect of it. And "Gabriela" was no exception. "Gabriela" put Sônia at the core of the Brazilian culture: it was an actress interpreting one of the nation's most celebrated literary works, which appealed to the intellectual and academic minorities; but at the same time it was a prime time telenovela, and it reached the working class massively through TV. Moreover, the eroticism of her character put Sônia in tune with the spirit of sexual freedom that characterized the 70s, thus managing to draw younger people's attention. In 1977 she filmed "Doña Flor and her 2 husbands" another adaptation of a work by Amado, only this time for the cinema. Incidentally, very successful, even more than "Gabriela". It was then that Sônia's career took off on the international scene. She successfully crossover to American cinema in the 1980s. In Hollywood she worked alongside Robert Redford, Clint Eastwood and Ann Margaret, and even made it to Sex & The City, remember Samantha's girlfriend? Well, that's Sonia Braga. Today her legacy extends beyond TV. She is equally recognized in the art world and cinema. She has become a style reference for new generations. Today considered a fashion icon, creatives dedicate entire collections to her. Such as it-brand @mirrorpalais, who recently design an entire collection inspired by her.

Introducing the mesmerizing muse of the 1960s, Tina Amount—a charismatic blend of French and Dominican allure, whose artistic endeavors spanned the realms of modeling, acting, and fashion, firmly establishing her as an icon of bohemian beauty. Hailing from the lineage of legendary Hollywood star Maria Montez, a luminary of the glamorous silver screen during the 1940s and 1950s, and the dashing European heartthrob Jean-Pierre Aumont. #tinaaumont #60s #hippie #latina

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tina Turner, the ultimate dancing diva, an extraordinary vocalist, and an iconic showgirl who passed away today at the age of 83 in her residence in Küsnacht, Switzerland. Today, we bid farewell to an extraordinary representative of a rare kind of artists, whose numbers continue to dwindle. Tina embodied the epitome of artistic excellence. Her unparalleled singing style transcended borders, becoming instantly recognizable across the globe. She possessed an unrivaled prowess in dance, effortlessly captivating audiences with her mesmerizing moves. She was the epitome of a complete performer, a bona fide rockstar. Not only that, she was a true trendsetter, defying conventions and dictating the fashion and beauty landscape. Her influence extended far beyond the realms of music, leaving an indelible mark on the fashion industry, as she fearlessly brought avant-garde trends to the streets. As an all-encompassing performer, she revolutionized the attire of her contemporaries, delivering unforgettable spectacles adorned with flamboyant costumes embellished with feathers, sequins, and crystals, like no other. Rest in peace @tinaturner ❤️

Rare are the artists who not only open new artistic paths, but also revolutionize long-standing traditions. Those who achieve this go down in history as legends. Such is thecase of Saida, the iconic Argentinean dancer who forever transformed the world of belly dance. Born in Argentina to a Syrian family, Saida's artistic aspirations took root in her childhood. Trained as a classical ballet dancer, she honed mesmerizing technique and ethereal grace. During her formative teenage years, Saida encountered the mesmerizing realm of belly dance. Impressed, her fascination with this genre led her to soon quit ballet to pursue professional training in Middle Easter rythms. Her mentor, renowned dancer Amir Thaleb; found in Saida's ballet technique a strength rather than a weakness. No belly dancer moved with the grace of Saida, and thus, the duo ventured to meld the finest aspects of both disciplines, birthing a unique dance form. Saida carved her path as a performer in non-Arabic venues, so she used her creativity to create a show that went beyond just belly dance. Her style rapidly spread throughout Buenos Aires, attracting aspiring dancers eager to learn not merely belly dance, but Saida's particular approach. As she did with dance, Saida also transformed traditional belly dance costumes. Her mother was her designer and without preconceived notions regarding traditional dance attire, she made unique garments that defied conventional expectations. She was also one of the first belly dancers to make extra long hair and acrylic nails essential to her image. In 1994 Saida opened her very own academy, and with her undeniably feminine touch she decided to name it "Pink"., her favorite color. Word of this sensational new style of belly dance permeated global realms, drawing students from all over the world. Additionaly, she performs in Europe, Asia and Africa to sold-out audiences. Building up a strong fan base, despite the language barrier Today Argentine style belly dance is recognized worldwide, and has worthy representatives in different countries. For her contributions Saida has been honored by the International Dance Council and Unesco. @saida_helou

Nieves Orozco: The dancer who gave identity to a whole country. In the late 19th century, Mexico was under Porfirio Diaz's rule, a proponent of European ideals aiming to transform the nation into a French replica. However, the winds of change swept through Mexico in the 1910s during the Mexican Revolution, leading the country to forsake Western aspirations and reclaim its true essence within indigenous cultures and pre-hispanic traditions. Thus emerged figures such as Diego Rivera and Miguel Covarrubias, plastic artist who expressed nationalist values, reshaping the concept of Mexicanity through their art. However, this generation of artists lacked a muse, and so they sought out across Mexico in search of women whose beauty personified their creative inspiration. It was during this quest that they met Nieves Orozco, a contemporary dancer and alumna of the renowned National School of Dance, who worked as a model for students at the esteemed San Carlos Academy of Art. Enchanted by her beauty, these artists recognized Nieves as the quintessential embodiment of the Mexican woman. Hailing from Hidalgo and belonging to the Otomi ethnic group, Nieves' brown features epitomized the genuine Mexican identity sought by these artists. And so she became the most sought-after model of the time, immortalized in masterpieces of Latin American art history. Nieves appears in countless works of Mexican realism. However, her most famous paintings are those in which she leaves her anatomy exposed, pushing the boundaries of sexual liberation, a groundbreaking concept unprecedented for her era. A member of the cultural elite of the time, during a party one day she crossed paths with Frederick Vanderbilt, heir of a vast US railway and shipping empire. Instantly captivated by her beauty, they eventually married in 1958, and decided to settle in the US. Prior to their departure a mutual friend asked them to host none other than Marilyn Monroe during her visit to Mexico in 1962, and the couple accompanied the blonde bombshell throughout her stay. Months before her death, Marilyn remembered Nieves in an interview as: "One of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life".