Is She the New Queen of Los Angeles?
In the past 20 years, Los Angeles has grown from a midsize town, known for its big-city crime, into a city bursting with arts, culture, and big-budget movies. In its second half, the city has produced dozens of celebrity breakouts: Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Lopez, Hilary Duff, and Sofia Vergara have all lived there.
By Richard H. K. Dyer
Los Angeles Times
Last week: The Queen of Hollywood is a new American icon
It’s no longer just an entertainment hub to tourists like meandering from one Hollywood production to another, it’s one of the most culturally rich cities in North America.
In this series, I’ll be profiling the Los Angeles natives who’ve become cultural icons. Their stories tell me about what it takes to live in a place that’s no longer just a vacation spot.
These people have carved out a role for themselves in the city.
Here they are:
The Queen of Hollywood
Darlene Love, singer
(left) Darlene Love performs “My Love” at the Grammy Awards in 2004. It was Love’s winning performance that launched a career that now spans five decades and includes a Grammy statue, the highest honor in the music industry, and an unprecedented number of No. 1 hits. “I know there are a lot of critics who don’t appreciate my success, but I live and breathe to be a success in this business for God’s sake,” Love, 70, said in an interview.
What it’s like: A few weeks ago, Love played the Hollywood Bowl and was asked if she would take off her crown.
“I don’t do crowns,” she said.
But not to worry, the media was told.
She laughed and continued with her performance without it.
“I’ll tell you what, I was just thinking, the Queen of Hollywood can go ahead,” she said.
At home in Los Angeles, Love has three daughters, and is still making music at her age after a 40-year career.
“If you look at my age, my body looks like a 30-year-old,” she said.
How she fits
