It's hard to imagine that there was a time when Ella Fitzgerald - one of the world's greatest singers and an inspiration to Queen Latifah, Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson -- couldn't perform anywhere she wanted.
But during the segregated nineteen fifties, the owner of one of Hollywood's most popular nightclubs wouldn't let Ella Fitzgerald sing. That's when actress (and Ella friend and fan) Marilyn Monroe stepped in. According to Ella: "Marilyn personally called the owner of the club and told him she wanted me booked immediately, and if he would do it, she would take a front table every night. She told him -- and it is was true, she was a superstar -- that the press would go wild. The owner said yes, and Marilyn was there, front table ever night, and the press went overboard! After that I never had to play a small club again."
We love Ella for her big talent -- and Marilyn for her huge heart.
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Fun facts about the original "American Idol"
Ella's age when her father and her mother separated
Ella's age when she first performed at the Apollo Theater Amateur Night
Dollars Ella won that night when she took home first prize
Dollars per week Ella made on her first singing job
Number of weeks that her #1 album stayed on the pop charts
Number of Grammys won by Ella
Number of albums Ella recorded in her lifetime
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| Marilyn Monroe was one of the biggest movie stars of all time. But what we love about her is that she put her friends first. |
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