A sex kitten is a woman[1] who exhibits a sexually provocative lifestyle or an abundant sexual aggression. The term originated around 1956[2][3] in articles in the British and American press and was originally used to describe French actress Brigitte Bardot.[4][5] Sources[who?] believe Bardot's role in Et Dieu... créa la femme (And God Created Woman) was what inspired the term in the mid-1950s.[1]
The 1960s began the era of women embracing their sexuality after moving forward from the idea that women were very unlikely to experience pleasure during sexual activities.[6]
Celebrities
Ann-Margret was described as a sex kitten in the 1964 film Kitten with a Whip.[7][8] However, other than Ann-Margret and Brigitte Bardot, the term wasn't associated with any other actresses in Hollywood.
Eartha Kitt, singer of the 1953 Christmas hit "Santa Baby", was also deemed a sex kitten due to some of the lyrics in her song.[1]
The Associated Press stated that the version of Cornelia Wallace in the film George Wallace, portrayed by actress Angelina Jolie, was depicted as "a shallow sex kitten" and therefore Cornelia Wallace had criticism towards the portrayal.[9]
A sex kitten is not always youthful.[10] In various definitions, the sexual attractiveness of a woman is the primary factor of sex kittens, but that did not necessarily mean physical beauty.[1]
See also
- Cougar (slang) – Woman who seeks romantic or sexual relationships with younger men
- Girl power – Slogan encouraging women's empowerment
- Sex symbol – Person or character widely regarded as sexually attractive
References
- ^ a b c d Umphred, Neal (April 18, 2019). "Where Have All the Sex Kittens Gone, Long Time Passing?". Medium. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ "28 Oct 1956, 13 - The Observer at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "13 Dec 1956, 21 - Los Angeles Evening Citizen News at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2021-03-14.
- ^ "Brigitte Bardot: her life and times so far – in pictures"
- ^ "LIFE With Brigitte Bardot: Rare and Classic Photos of the Original ‘Sex Kitten’"
- ^ Meah, Angela; Hockey, Jenny; Robinson, Victoria (2011). "I'm a Sex Kitten, Aren't I...". Australian Feminist Studies. 26: 57–71. doi:10.1080/08164649.2010.546328. S2CID 142947162.
- ^ filmreference.com, Ann-Margret - Films as actress, retrieved March 28, 2008.
- ^ lovegoddess.info, ANN-MARGRET, retrieved March 28, 2008
- ^ "Widow of late Gov. George Wallace dies at 69". NBC News. 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2022-06-08. - Alternate version ("Cornelia Wallace, 69, First Lady of Alabama, Dies") at The New York Times, January 9, 2009. Version ("Cornelia Wallace, 69, second wife of Alabama Gov. George Wallace") at The Hour (Norwalk, Connecticut), January 8, 2009. Alternate ("Former Alabama first lady Cornelia Wallace dies") at The Columbus Dispatch, January 8, 2009.
- ^ Kakutani, Michiko. "Who Exactly Is This Sexagenarian Sex Kitten?" The New York Times. March 15, 1996.