In the glittering world of high-kicks and holiday cheer, the Radio City Rockettes stand as an enduring symbol of American entertainment—precision, poise, and pure spectacle. For nearly a century, their synchronized routines have dazzled audiences at New York’s iconic Radio City Music Hall, embodying the spirit of dreams realized on stage. But behind those megawatt smiles and flawless formations lies a history marred by exclusion and prejudice. Enter Jennifer Jones, the first African American Rockette, whose memoir Becoming Spectacular pulls back the velvet curtain on her extraordinary path to breaking a 63-year color barrier in 1987. In an exclusive interview with AMFM Magazine, Jones opens up about her triumphs, trials, and the unyielding perseverance that turned her into a pioneer.
Jones, speaking from her home in Vero Beach, Florida—though her roots trace back to West Orange, New Jersey—describes her book as a rollercoaster of “twists and turns” that not only chronicles her rise but also unearths a hidden chapter in dance history. “I’m just excited to share my journey, and hopefully I can help others along the way as well as put out that piece of history that no one knows about as being the first African American Rockette,” she says. The memoir delves deep into the Rockettes’ origins in 1925, when segregation barred Black dancers from sharing the stage with white performers. Even amid the Civil Rights Movement’s strides toward inclusivity, resistance lingered. As late as the early 1980s, Rockette director Violet Holmes remarked that “one or two Black girls in the line would definitely distract.”
When Jones auditioned and earned her spot, she faced immediate backlash. “I was a young dancer in New York City trying to make it big,” she recalls. “There’s always those dreams and that childhood dream that I had of wanting to perform on a great stage.” Yet, upon arrival, a PR director pulled her aside in a hotel room and delivered a crushing blow: “You’re old news, nobody cares about you, your story or anything about you. You’re just lucky to be here.” These words haunted the shy, biracial woman who had long felt like an outsider, amplifying the racism and prejudice she navigated daily.
In Becoming Spectacular, Jones charts this gripping journey with raw honesty, echoing the introspective depth of Gelsey Kirkland’s Dancing on My Grave. It’s a story of smashing through glass ceilings—literally and figuratively. As Jones herself puts it in the book: “Smashing through glass windows and paving the way for others requires a special blend of bravery and perseverance. Being a pioneer involves breaking down stubborn barriers, challenging closed-minded people and navigating through instances of racism and prejudice. This journey often included facing ongoing resistance from individuals who were unwilling to embrace change. It’s believing in your dream—that you can be and do whatever it is that you love.”
Her path wasn’t just about dance; it was a battle for self-belief amid seemingly impossible odds. Jones draws inspiration from figures like Stephanie Mills on Broadway, whom she admired as a child. “I looked up to her and said, that’s what I want to do,” she shares. Now, she hopes to be that beacon for others. “One of the cherry on top to my story is to inspire kids to have them look at me and say, that’s what I want to do. Whether it’s being a dancer, a singer, a chef, an astronaut, just to be able to follow those dreams.”
When asked about her “Hail Mary” moment—a nod to legendary Dallas Cowboy Drew Pearson’s famous catch—Jones points to a deeply personal challenge: her diagnosis with stage three colorectal cancer. “I could not give up on my life. I had my kids to live for, and hopefully my grandchildren. And just to live life myself and to get this story out, to let people know thoughts become things. And you can do whatever you want.” This resilience underscores the memoir’s core message: mindset matters. “I believe that everything is interconnected,” Jones explains. “I believe in keeping a high vibration. Life is meaningless. We give life meaning. So whether you put a positive aspect on that or a negative aspect on it, you are making your life meaningful. So I always encourage people to resonate high, to believe in themselves and to take action.”
The title Becoming Spectacular encapsulates this philosophy. “I think we are all becoming,” Jones says. “It’s just like a diamond. A diamond isn’t always just in a showcase already shining brightly for you to take to buy. But it’s pulled out of the muck and it’s chiseled and it’s washed and it’s made into a certain reflection that is a gift to the world. And I believe we all are diamonds, and we all go through challenges that we are chiseled and washed, and we all have a gift to give to the world. And it is our duty to give that gift to the world and let it shine brightly. Because if we don’t, we’re not only giving a disservice to us, but to our community.”
Readers have already reached out to Jones, sharing how her story has infused them with hope during their own struggles. “They’ve actually reached out to me and said, through different parts of my book because there are so many things that you went through this difficult challenge in your life and you gave me hope. Now I know I can live through it,” she notes. Whether you’re a dance enthusiast, a history buff, or someone seeking inspiration amid adversity, Becoming Spectacular offers layers of insight—proving that true spectacle isn’t just in the spotlight, but in the strength to claim it.
Becoming Spectacular is available now wherever books are sold. For more on Jennifer Jones and her groundbreaking legacy, visit her official website or follow her on social media.
