Vedette
Encyclopedia
The French military term vedette (formed from Latin
videre, to see), also spelled vidette, migrated into English and other languages to refer to a mounted sentry
or outpost, who has the function of bringing information, giving signals or warnings of danger, etc., to a main body of troop
s. In modern terms, the soldiers who man listening-posts are the equivalent of vedettes.
All around Salisbury Plain
in southern England, the roads connecting the plain with the surrounding countryside feature a brick-built guard-post, manned by security officers whenever there is military activity beyond that point. They are known as vedettes, each being named for a local geographic feature.
The Gardjola (Maltese for watch tower) in Senglea
, Malta is an example of a vedette. It may be referred to in French as an échauguette.
Navies use the term vedette to refer to a small scouting or patrol boat.
The term has also been used for specific naval vessels (see USS Vedette
), and a class of flying boat (see Canadian Vickers Vedette
).
) is used to describe female singers and entertainers skilled in Latin styles of singing and/or dancing and/or acting. Equivalent English terms are diva
, bombshell, showgirl
. Examples include Susana Giménez
, The Pussycat Dolls
, Iris Chacón
, Adabel Guerrero
and Candida Batista.More generally the term describes female variety
performers whose talents typically include dancing, acting and singing in theatres, and making appearances in day-time gossip television shows (to have fake feuds with each other as publicity stunts). These risqué productions are similar to the French cabaret
s, burlesque
and revue
.
are an American showgirl group and dance ensemble founded by choreographer Robin Antin
in 1995 as a burlesque troupe based in Los Angeles.The show has had many A-List celebs that have guest performed such as: Kim Kardashian
, Gwen Stefani
, Carmen Electra
, Christina Applegate
and Christina Aguilera
.
After attracting national attention, Antin eventually negotiated a record deal with Interscope Records
in 2003 turning the group into a music franchise, comprising Nicole Scherzinger
alongside Carmit Bachar
, Melody Thornton
, Jessica Sutta
, Ashley Roberts
and Kimberly Wyatt
.Other vedettes that have worked with Robin Antin
and the dolls are: Kaya Jones
, Jamie Lee Ruiz, Vanessa Curry, Rino Nakasone Razalan
, Kherington Payne
, Cyia Batten
, Kasey Campbell, Asia Nitollano
and more.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
videre, to see), also spelled vidette, migrated into English and other languages to refer to a mounted sentry
General Orders for Sentries
Orders to Sentry is the official title of a set of rules governing sentry duty in the United States armed forces. While any guard posting has rules that may go without saying , these orders are carefully detailed and particularly stressed in the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and...
or outpost, who has the function of bringing information, giving signals or warnings of danger, etc., to a main body of troop
Troop
A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. In many armies a troop is the equivalent unit to the infantry section or platoon...
s. In modern terms, the soldiers who man listening-posts are the equivalent of vedettes.
All around Salisbury Plain
Salisbury Plain
Salisbury Plain is a chalk plateau in central southern England covering . It is part of the Southern England Chalk Formation and largely lies within the county of Wiltshire, with a little in Hampshire. The plain is famous for its rich archaeology, including Stonehenge, one of England's best known...
in southern England, the roads connecting the plain with the surrounding countryside feature a brick-built guard-post, manned by security officers whenever there is military activity beyond that point. They are known as vedettes, each being named for a local geographic feature.
The Gardjola (Maltese for watch tower) in Senglea
Senglea
Senglea is a fortified city in the east of Malta, mainly in the Grand Harbour area. It is one of the Three Cities in the east of Malta, the other two being Cospicua and Vittoriosa. The city of Senglea is also called Civitas Invicta, because it managed to resist the Ottoman invasion at the Great...
, Malta is an example of a vedette. It may be referred to in French as an échauguette.
Navies use the term vedette to refer to a small scouting or patrol boat.
The term has also been used for specific naval vessels (see USS Vedette
USS Vedette
USS Vedette has been the name of more than one United States Navy ship, and may refer to:, a yacht in commission as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919, a motorboat acquired in 1917 or 1918 and in service as a patrol boat until December 1918...
), and a class of flying boat (see Canadian Vickers Vedette
Canadian Vickers Vedette
-References:NotesCitationsBibliography* Milberry, Larry. Aviation in Canada. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-07-082778-8.* Molsen, Kenneth M. "The Canadian Vickers Vedette." Canadian Aeronautics and Space Journal, October 1964....
).
Spanish
In some Latin American countries the term vedette (after the French for star or celebrityCelebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
) is used to describe female singers and entertainers skilled in Latin styles of singing and/or dancing and/or acting. Equivalent English terms are diva
Diva
A diva is a celebrated female singer. The term is used to describe a woman of outstanding talent in the world of opera, and, by extension, in theatre, cinema and popular music. The meaning of diva is closely related to that of "prima donna"....
, bombshell, showgirl
Showgirl
A showgirl is a dancer or performer in a stage entertainment show. Showgirl is also often used as a term for a promotional model in trade fairs and car shows, etc...
. Examples include Susana Giménez
Susana Giménez
Susana Giménez, née María Susana Giménez Aubert is an Argentine actress, ex-vedette and television host....
, The Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
, Iris Chacón
Iris Chacón
Iris Chacón is a dancer, singer, and entertainer. She enjoys great popularity in Puerto Rico and in other Latin American countries, as well as such US locales as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.-Career:Chacon has been known by various nicknames, such as "La Bomba de Puerto Rico" Iris Chacón...
, Adabel Guerrero
Adabel Guerrero
Adabel Anahí Guerrero Melachenco better known simple as Adabel Guerrero is an Argentine actress, dancer, vedette and cabaret star, who has also dabbled as a singer in several of her television appearances as well as in theatre capable of singing in acapella.Guerrero is known for her skills in pole...
and Candida Batista.More generally the term describes female variety
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
performers whose talents typically include dancing, acting and singing in theatres, and making appearances in day-time gossip television shows (to have fake feuds with each other as publicity stunts). These risqué productions are similar to the French cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
s, burlesque
Burlesque
Burlesque is a literary, dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works, or by ludicrous treatment of their subjects...
and revue
Revue
A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century American popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own during its golden years from 1916 to 1932...
.
Notable women who have worked as vedettes
- Marilyn MonroeMarilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
, An all American Golden Girl, actress, singer and modelModel (person)A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
as well as a popPop iconA pop icon is a celebrity, character, or object whose exposure in pop culture constitutes a defining characteristic of a given society or era. The categorization is usually associated with elements such as longevity, ubiquity, and distinction. Moreover, "pop icon" status is distinguishable from...
and cultural iconCultural iconA cultural icon can be a symbol, logo, picture, name, face, person, building or other image that is readily recognized and generally represents an object or concept with great cultural significance to a wide cultural group...
as well as an eminent American sex symbolSex symbolA sex symbol is a celebrity of either gender, typically an actor, musician, supermodel, teen idol, or sports star, noted for their sex appeal. The term was first used in the mid 1950s in relation to the popularity of certain Hollywood stars, especially Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte...
from the 20th century. - Kelly KeyKelly KeyKelly de Almeida Afonso , better known as Kelly Key, is a Brazilian singer.- Biography :Of Portuguese descent, Key released her first, self-titled album in 2001 at the age of 17. Her first single was the song "Escondido" in which she sang the suggestive lyics 'We went out to make out and to make...
a BrazilianBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
Singer & carnivalCarnivalCarnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
star. - Andrea GhidoneAndrea GhidoneAndrea Ghidone is a Uruguayan vedette, top model and professional theater dancer & actress.Ghidone is currently in Carmen Barbieri's new up and coming musical Barbierisima, she was also in Barbieri's Musicals, Fantastica in 2010 and Bravísima in 2011. She has also modeled for Maxim 2009 in Argentina...
, A UruguayanUruguayUruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
Dancer, Actress and ModelModel (person)A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
. - Adabel GuerreroAdabel GuerreroAdabel Anahí Guerrero Melachenco better known simple as Adabel Guerrero is an Argentine actress, dancer, vedette and cabaret star, who has also dabbled as a singer in several of her television appearances as well as in theatre capable of singing in acapella.Guerrero is known for her skills in pole...
, An ArgentineArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
Pole dancer and cabaret star. - Tina FerreiraTina FerreiraTina Ferreira is a Afro-Uruguayan, dancer, journalist and vedette known for performin in carnivals all around Uruguay. She works as the lead vedette in the carnival group Serpentina in which she has worked with since 2004 by José de Lima the group's directer. She has won many awards for her...
, A Afro-UruguayanAfro-UruguayanAfro-Uruguayan refers to Uruguayans of Black African ancestry. Almost a third is found in Montevideo.-History:It is often asserted in the academic literature on Uruguay that the presence and role of Africans in the development of this nation are overlooked. However, Afro-Uruguayans greatly...
carnivalCarnivalCarnaval is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnaval typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party...
dancer & showgirlShowgirlA showgirl is a dancer or performer in a stage entertainment show. Showgirl is also often used as a term for a promotional model in trade fairs and car shows, etc...
. - Vanessa L. WilliamsVanessa L. WilliamsVanessa Lynn Williams is an American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal generated by her having posed for nude photographs published in Penthouse magazine...
, An Actress, Singer and theater Dancer. - Susana GiménezSusana GiménezSusana Giménez, née María Susana Giménez Aubert is an Argentine actress, ex-vedette and television host....
, An ArgentineArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
ex-Vedette and TV HostessPresenterA presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show... - Moria CasánMoria CasánMoria Casán is an Argentine actress, television host, producer, media personality and vedette. Her Net worth estimated in $300 million. She is one of the most important women in Argentine show. She has a long career in cinema, theatre and television.- Career :Casán was born in Buenos Aires...
, An ArgentineArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
ex-Vedette and TV HostessPresenterA presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show... - Dita Von TeeseDita Von TeeseDita Von Teese is an American burlesque dancer, model, costume designer, author and actress.-Early life:...
, An American Golden girl and live show Entertainer. - Pussycat DollsPussycat DollsThe Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
An American girl group and dance ensemble founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995 as a burlesque troupe based in Los Angeles.- Carmen ElectraCarmen ElectraTara Leigh Patrick , professionally known as Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, singer, and dancer...
- Carmit BacharCarmit BacharCarmit Bachar is an American singer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. She was a member of the successful pop/R&B group, The Pussycat Dolls and one of the main vocalists of the group, along with Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton. Bachar left the group in February 2008. She is currently...
- Nicole ScherzingerNicole ScherzingerNicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
- Kimberly WyattKimberly WyattKimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American showgirl, singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer. She is best known as a former member of the American pop/R&B girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003...
- Robin AntinRobin AntinRobin Antin is an American dancer, choreographer, music video director, actress, showgirl, clothing designer and entrepreneur. In 1995 in Los Angeles Antin, Christina Applegate and Carla Kama founded the modern burlesque troupe The Pussycat Dolls...
- Jamie Lee Ruiz
- Carmen Electra
- Holly MadisonHolly MadisonHollin Sue Cullen, professionally known as Holly Madison, is an American model, showgirl and television personality. She is widely known for being one of Hugh Hefner's girlfriends on the reality television series The Girls Next Door...
- Mara CarfagnaMara CarfagnaMaria Rosaria Carfagna is an Italian politician and former showgirl and topless model. After obtaining a degree in law, Carfagna worked for several years on Italian television shows and as a model. She later entered politics and was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for Forza Italia party in 2006...
- Maria FordMaria Ford- Career :Maria starred in films like The Haunting of Morella , Deathstalker: Match of Titans ; played the part of Dionara, " Ring of Fire" in 1991 along side Don "The Dragon" Wilson, as his girl friend, Necronomicon , Angel of Destruction , played Jo Alwood, Dillinger and Capone , Stripteaser ,The...
- Christine KeelerChristine KeelerChristine Margaret Keeler is an English former model and showgirl. Her involvement with a British government minister discredited the Conservative government of Harold Macmillan in 1963, in what is known as the Profumo Affair....
- Barbara Blakely Marx
- Valerie PerrineValerie Perrine- Life and career :Perrine was born in Galveston, Texas, the daughter of Winifred , a dancer who appeared in Earl Carroll's Vanities, and Kenneth Perrine, a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army. Owing to her father's career, Perrine lived in many locations as the family moved to different...
- Dorothy KlossDorothy KlossDorothy Dale Kloss, , began dancing when she was 3 years old. While working with a young Bob Fosse in a Chicago class, she won a tap contest and catapulted to stardom doing her own act at the Empire Room in Chicago...
- Pamela AndersonPamela AndersonPamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model, producer, author, activist, and former showgirl, known for her roles on the television series Home Improvement, Baywatch, and V.I.P. She was chosen as a Playmate of the Month for Playboy magazine in February 1990...
- Jenna JamesonJenna JamesonJenna Jameson is an American entrepreneur and former pornographic actress, who has been called the world's most famous adult-entertainment performer and "The Queen of Porn."...
- Bobby Gentry
- Cassandra PetersonCassandra PetersonCassandra Peterson is an American actress best known for her on-screen horror hostess character Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. She gained fame on Los Angeles television station KHJ wearing a black, gothic, cleavage-enhancing gown as host of Movie Macabre, a weekly horror movie presentation...
The Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat DollsPussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
are an American showgirl group and dance ensemble founded by choreographer Robin Antin
Robin Antin
Robin Antin is an American dancer, choreographer, music video director, actress, showgirl, clothing designer and entrepreneur. In 1995 in Los Angeles Antin, Christina Applegate and Carla Kama founded the modern burlesque troupe The Pussycat Dolls...
in 1995 as a burlesque troupe based in Los Angeles.The show has had many A-List celebs that have guest performed such as: Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian
Kimberly Noel "Kim" Kardashian is an American socialite, television personality, model, actress and businesswoman. She is known for the E! reality series that she shares with her family—Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and its spin-offs including Kourtney and Kim Take New York...
, Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
, Carmen Electra
Carmen Electra
Tara Leigh Patrick , professionally known as Carmen Electra, is an American glamour model, actress, television personality, singer, and dancer...
, Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate
Christina Applegate is an American actress. She is best known for playing Kelly Bundy on the Fox sitcom Married... with Children. Since then, she has established a film and television career, winning a Primetime Emmy and earning Tony and Golden Globe nominations...
and Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
.
After attracting national attention, Antin eventually negotiated a record deal with Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
in 2003 turning the group into a music franchise, comprising Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
alongside Carmit Bachar
Carmit Bachar
Carmit Bachar is an American singer, dancer, model, actress and showgirl. She was a member of the successful pop/R&B group, The Pussycat Dolls and one of the main vocalists of the group, along with Nicole Scherzinger and Melody Thornton. Bachar left the group in February 2008. She is currently...
, Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton
Melody Thornton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, Soprano vocalist, dancer, model, showgirl and television personality who rose to stardom as a member of the successful pop group the Pussycat Dolls...
, Jessica Sutta
Jessica Sutta
Jessica Lynn Sutta is an American dancer, showgirl, singer, recording artist, model, and actress. She is best known as a member of the American pop girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She left the group in January 2010 to embark her solo career. She is currently finishing up her...
, Ashley Roberts
Ashley Roberts
Ashley Maria Roberts is an American dancer, showgirl, recording artist, model, actress, fashion designer and television personality, best known as a former member of the modern burlesque group the Pussycat Dolls...
and Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American showgirl, singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer. She is best known as a former member of the American pop/R&B girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003...
.Other vedettes that have worked with Robin Antin
Robin Antin
Robin Antin is an American dancer, choreographer, music video director, actress, showgirl, clothing designer and entrepreneur. In 1995 in Los Angeles Antin, Christina Applegate and Carla Kama founded the modern burlesque troupe The Pussycat Dolls...
and the dolls are: Kaya Jones
Kaya Jones
Kaya Jones August 28, 1984, Toronto, Canada) is a singer, actress, dancer, model and former member of the girl group The Pussycat Dolls from 2003-2006...
, Jamie Lee Ruiz, Vanessa Curry, Rino Nakasone Razalan
Rino Nakasone Razalan
Rino Nakasone Razalan born on June 11, 1979 is a dancer, choreographer from Okinawa, Japan. Rino participated in America's Best Dance Crew Season 3, alongside the crew Beat Freaks....
, Kherington Payne
Kherington Payne
Kherington Taylor Payne is an American dancer and actress who came to prominence as a Top 10 Finalist in Season 4 of the hit reality-dance show So You Think You Can Dance and in a role in the 2009 reinvention of the movie Fame. She's been a principal dancer for Katy Perry, and is also a lead cast...
, Cyia Batten
Cyia Batten
Cyia Batten is an American dancer, model and film/television actress as well as former Pussycat Dolls dance troupe. She has worked as a professional dancer all over the world for various projects including The Pussycat Dolls and Carmen Electra, Teatro Comunale di Firenze and others.She has had...
, Kasey Campbell, Asia Nitollano
Asia Nitollano
Asia Nitollano is an American singer, dancer, model and cheerleader. After winning the television series Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll, Nitollano became a member of the Pussycat Dolls, only to leave a few months later to pursue a solo career.-Early life:Nitollano was born...
and more.