Ming Chu was born in Florida in 1914 and moved to New York to live with an uncle who ran a laundromat. She quickly became immersed in the world of entertainment. At fifteen, she moved downtown to a house sponsored by the Rockefellers for young women seeking a bit of luck. She then began modeling and dancing in clubs to support herself. A stroke of luck came her way: discovered by a Parisian director, she landed a contract to perform in London. Her career took off in Europe after winning the title of "Miss China-America" at the Miss Universe pageant, and she quickly became a solo headliner under the name "Princess Ming Chu, Flower of the East." She performed all across the continent, made the headlines, and met personalities such as the King and Queen of Belgium, Prince William of Germany, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Orson Welles, and Jackie Gleason. When World War II broke out, Ming Chu reluctantly returned to New York. She continued to perform at the Roxy Theatre in New York, then in Las Vegas, and then again in Europe to entertain the troops. She also acted in several films and recorded two rock and roll songs. Ming Chu's career more closely resembles that of her predecessor Anna Mae Wong than that of her contemporaries in the "chop suey circuit" due to the worldwide fame she gained in Europe, outside the more racial boundaries of the United States. Authenticity: Original print Number of pieces: 1 Type: Silver print Period: From 1900 to 1939 Theme: Cinema, TV Format (cm): 25 x 20.5 cm