Welcome to Retro Rewind, the new TGJ original feature that invites our readers on a journey to Entertainment’s glorious past.
As a powerful minority in Hollywood continue to deny the important of diversity on-screen, the brains behind the hit show ‘Dynasty’ learned just how lucrative it could be for ratings when they introduced to the African-American character Dominique Deveraux to the series in 1984.
Created by the writing duo Richard and Esther Shapiro, Dominique, portrayed by Diahann Carroll, stepped on to the scene as a secretive woman with a keen interest in the lives of the show’s leading family, the Carringtons.
Eager to slay in the face of the stereotypical, offensive and one dimensional roles often dished out for actors of colour, the Shapiros teamed up with Carroll to create a character just as complex as the show’s villain Alexis Carrington, played by Joan Collins.
The result? A moving story about a young African-American girl from modest beginnings who exposes the plight of biracial children rejected by a society and fathers infected by prejudice, classism and racism.
Watch below…
Peep Carroll’s take on the role below…
The beginning of CLASSY shade and reading as we know it.
Exactly! 🙂
This wasnt the beginning boo… And women didnt create “Shade” Gay Men influenced the art… do your research.
I said it was the beginning of “CLASSY” shade. I’m aware of the ballroom scene doll. Google maps is not your friend, so I suggest you re-route
She was the First Black Queen Bee on TV, with a complex yet non stereotypical storyline she introduced was is known as “Shade”to the masses….She is the Iconic Blueprint to the TV/ Reality Show stars Coral (MTV Real World)”New York”(Flavor of Love),Basketball Wives,Nene Leakes and all of The Housewives of Atlanta/Potomac, Mob Wives, Cookie Lyons(Taraji P. Henson)etc…..Salute to an Iconic and Legendary Actress Diahann Carroll… If they were to ever remake Dynasty(let the classic live lol) or make an Original show with Dynasty inspirations there was only one person that i think could have filled Dominique Devearaux shoes and that was Whitney Houston… I always though Whitney looked JUST like her (Especially in the movie “Sparkle”) and carried herself in a similar Classy, Beautiful, yet Confident manner. RIP Whitney…Great Write up and Wonderful way to remember Respectable TV Classics and Legends,
Beyonce is shooting a video in LA sam. Post about it.
The original Olivia Pope of Shade dahling!!!!
The SHADE queen!!!! She taught me how to throw 1st class shade… ????????????
It’s brunt!!!
*Burnt, but yes
It’s actually “it’s burned”!!!!!
Legendary!
Them other heffas could never…
She was ok, but she couldn’t handle Alexis!!!