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Polaire
Émilie Marie Bouchaud (14 May 1874 – 14 October 1939), better known by her stage name Polaire, was a French singer and actress, who became internationally known. She performed also in the United States and London, and in films.
She was notable for her wasp waist which, achieved through corsetry, reportedly measured less than 16 inches (41 cm). She was also known for her eccentric stage presence, which generated mixed receptions.
Émilie Marie Bouchaud was born in Agha, Algiers, French Algeria on 14 May 1874; according to her memoirs she was one of eleven children. Only four – Émilie, her two brothers Edmond and Marcel, and a sister, Lucile – survived infancy. Their father died of typhoid fever when Émilie was five. Their widowed mother, unable to support the four children, temporarily placed them with their grandmother in Algiers. Bouchaud's brother Marcel died shortly after.
In 1889, after their mother began a relationship with a man named Emmanuel Borgia, she took her children with her when she moved with him to Paris. There her mother found work, and also tried to find domestic employment for her eldest daughter. Eventually however, after her sister Lucile fell sick and died, Émilie was sent back to her grandmother in Algiers.
Borgia, her mother, and Edmond, the only surviving sibling, remained in Paris. Émilie was unhappy and in September 1890 ran away to rejoin her mother in France. Afraid of meeting her mother's partner, Borgia (whom she accuses in her memoirs of having tried to molest her), she first approached her brother Edmond.
He had already gained some fame as a café-concert singer under the name of 'Dufleuve'. With his help Bouchard at about age 17 auditioned successfully for her first job as a café singer.
Polaire's career in the entertainment industry stretched from the early 1890s to the mid-1930s, and encompassed the range from music-hall singer to stage and film actress. Her most successful period professionally was from the mid-1890s to the beginning of the Great War (First World War).
Adopting the stage name Polaire ("Pole Star"), she worked first as a music-hall singer and dancer. One of her earliest hits was performing the French version of "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay". Having quickly made a name for herself – artist Toulouse-Lautrec portrayed her on a magazine cover in 1895 – Polaire briefly visited New York, appearing there as a chanteuse at various venues, but without achieving major success.
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Polaire
Émilie Marie Bouchaud (14 May 1874 – 14 October 1939), better known by her stage name Polaire, was a French singer and actress, who became internationally known. She performed also in the United States and London, and in films.
She was notable for her wasp waist which, achieved through corsetry, reportedly measured less than 16 inches (41 cm). She was also known for her eccentric stage presence, which generated mixed receptions.
Émilie Marie Bouchaud was born in Agha, Algiers, French Algeria on 14 May 1874; according to her memoirs she was one of eleven children. Only four – Émilie, her two brothers Edmond and Marcel, and a sister, Lucile – survived infancy. Their father died of typhoid fever when Émilie was five. Their widowed mother, unable to support the four children, temporarily placed them with their grandmother in Algiers. Bouchaud's brother Marcel died shortly after.
In 1889, after their mother began a relationship with a man named Emmanuel Borgia, she took her children with her when she moved with him to Paris. There her mother found work, and also tried to find domestic employment for her eldest daughter. Eventually however, after her sister Lucile fell sick and died, Émilie was sent back to her grandmother in Algiers.
Borgia, her mother, and Edmond, the only surviving sibling, remained in Paris. Émilie was unhappy and in September 1890 ran away to rejoin her mother in France. Afraid of meeting her mother's partner, Borgia (whom she accuses in her memoirs of having tried to molest her), she first approached her brother Edmond.
He had already gained some fame as a café-concert singer under the name of 'Dufleuve'. With his help Bouchard at about age 17 auditioned successfully for her first job as a café singer.
Polaire's career in the entertainment industry stretched from the early 1890s to the mid-1930s, and encompassed the range from music-hall singer to stage and film actress. Her most successful period professionally was from the mid-1890s to the beginning of the Great War (First World War).
Adopting the stage name Polaire ("Pole Star"), she worked first as a music-hall singer and dancer. One of her earliest hits was performing the French version of "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay". Having quickly made a name for herself – artist Toulouse-Lautrec portrayed her on a magazine cover in 1895 – Polaire briefly visited New York, appearing there as a chanteuse at various venues, but without achieving major success.