The Black List - Black Women Who Were Banned By The Entertainment Industry And Fought Back

Irene Cara, Janet Jackson and more.

Irene Cara - Musicians aren't exempt from being blacklisted either. Irene Cara, the singer of the hit song "Fame," the title track of the 1980 blockbuster film, learned the hard way. After winning $1.5 million when she sued Al Coury Inc. and Network Records of withholding her royalties from the Flashdance soundtrack, the pop singer was shut out. She said in an interview that the industry "virtually blacklisted [me]. All of a sudden, I was hearing stories about how difficult I was to work with, ridiculous rumors about drugs and what a diva I was."(Photo: Jordin Althaus/WireImage)
Janet Jackson - Following Janet Jackson's collaborative Super Bowl Halftime show performance with Justin Timberlake in 2004, the pop royal quickly became known more for her viral wardrobe malfunction than her talent. After the incident, she was banned from MTV and many stations refused to play her music on the radio.  Some 10 years later, the NFL is still upset with the pop star for "nipplegate." When asked in 2014 who they were considering as possible performers, the NFL issued a statement, which read, "As for potential acts — we have only ruled out Janet Jackson."  Oddly enough, Timberlake experienced little to no backlash.(Photo: Doug Meszler/Splash News/Corbis)
Lena Horne - Legendary actress and Hollywood icon Lena Horne was shut out of Hollywood for her civil rights activism. Marked as a "Communist sympathizer," Horne was blacklisted in the 1950s because of the Red Scare and her leftist views. She found herself unable to perform on television or in movies for seven years. During that time, she worked as a singer, solidifying herself as a triple threat in the same business that shunned her.(Photo: Ron Galella / Getty Images)
Vanessa Williams - In 1983, Vanessa Williams became the first Black woman crowned Miss America. However, in July of 1984 nude photos surfaced of Williams from two years before. The beauty was stripped of her crown and blacklisted in the entertainment industry. After years of directors and producers refusing to hire her, Williams made a legendary comeback in the music industry with 1988's The Right Stuff. She credited the album's success to the loyalty of the Black community and urban radio. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images For Carmen Marc Valvo)112822-celebs-josephine-baker.jpg

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Janet Jackson - Following Janet Jackson's collaborative Super Bowl Halftime show performance with Justin Timberlake in 2004, the pop royal received backlash for a wardrobe malfunction that exposed a nipple. After the incident, she was banned from MTV and many radio stations refused to play her music. Timberlake experienced little to no backlash. However, due to her undeniable talent, Jackson's career recovered. In 2018, Oscar winner Matthew A. Cherry launched "Janet Jackson Appreciation Day," which now trends during every Super Bowl. (Photo: Doug Meszler/Splash News/Corbis)

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