Loletha Elayne Falana
(born September 11, 1942, better known by her stage name Lola Falana, is an American singer, dancer, model and actress.
Born in Camden, New Jersey, Falana was the third of six children born to Bennett, a welder and Cleo Falana, a seamstress (1921–2010). Falana's father, an Afro-Cuban, left his homeland of Cuba to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, later becoming a welder shortly after meeting Falana's mother who was African-American. By the age of three Falana was dancing, and by age five she was singing in the church choir. In 1952, Falana's family which by this time included two more siblings, moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By the time she was in junior high school, Falana was already dancing in nightclubs to which she was escorted by her mother. Pursuing a musical career became so important to her that, against her parents' wishes, Falana dropped out of Germantown High School a few months before graduation and moved to New York City.
In 1970, she returned to the states and began performing on the variety show circuit, appearing in Blaxploitation films and becoming the first Black woman to model for a mainstream cosmetics brand, Tigress. She went on to launch a wildly successful Las Vegas career, playing to sold-out crowds in fabulously sparkling Bob Mackie ensembles, and eventually becoming Sin City’s highest paid female performer!
In the late ’80s, she developed multiple sclerosis, and after a spiritual awakening, devoted her life to spreading the word. In 1987, Falana suffered a severe relapse of multiple sclerosis. Falana's left side was paralyzed, she became partially blind, and her voice and hearing were impaired. Her recovery lasted a year and a half, during which she spent most of her time praying. Falana attributes her recovery to a spiritual experience which she described as "Being able to feel the presence of the Lord." Falana converted to Roman Catholicism in 1988 and worked her newly found spirituality into her daily life. Though she performed again in Las Vegas shows in 1987, Falana's practice of religion and faith became the center of her life. After another bout with multiple sclerosis in 1996, Falana returned to Philadelphia and lived with her parents for a short time.
(born September 11, 1942, better known by her stage name Lola Falana, is an American singer, dancer, model and actress.
Born in Camden, New Jersey, Falana was the third of six children born to Bennett, a welder and Cleo Falana, a seamstress (1921–2010). Falana's father, an Afro-Cuban, left his homeland of Cuba to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps, later becoming a welder shortly after meeting Falana's mother who was African-American. By the age of three Falana was dancing, and by age five she was singing in the church choir. In 1952, Falana's family which by this time included two more siblings, moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. By the time she was in junior high school, Falana was already dancing in nightclubs to which she was escorted by her mother. Pursuing a musical career became so important to her that, against her parents' wishes, Falana dropped out of Germantown High School a few months before graduation and moved to New York City.
In 1970, she returned to the states and began performing on the variety show circuit, appearing in Blaxploitation films and becoming the first Black woman to model for a mainstream cosmetics brand, Tigress. She went on to launch a wildly successful Las Vegas career, playing to sold-out crowds in fabulously sparkling Bob Mackie ensembles, and eventually becoming Sin City’s highest paid female performer!
In the late ’80s, she developed multiple sclerosis, and after a spiritual awakening, devoted her life to spreading the word. In 1987, Falana suffered a severe relapse of multiple sclerosis. Falana's left side was paralyzed, she became partially blind, and her voice and hearing were impaired. Her recovery lasted a year and a half, during which she spent most of her time praying. Falana attributes her recovery to a spiritual experience which she described as "Being able to feel the presence of the Lord." Falana converted to Roman Catholicism in 1988 and worked her newly found spirituality into her daily life. Though she performed again in Las Vegas shows in 1987, Falana's practice of religion and faith became the center of her life. After another bout with multiple sclerosis in 1996, Falana returned to Philadelphia and lived with her parents for a short time.
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