Black Beauty, Black Media: JET Beauty of the Week

Black Beauty, Black Media: JET Beauty of the Week

Author: @TheVixenMemoirs February 5, 2026 Duration: 1:01:28

In this episode, we trace the history of JET’s Beauty of the Week feature, from its 1950's origins, through its cultural peak! We break down the conversations around colorism, sexuality, and representation that shaped page 43 of one of the most iconic and recognizable pieces of black media.

You can keep up with all things Vixen by finding links at https://linktr.ee/thevixenmemoirs, and if you’d like to sign up for the monthly newsletter, The Vixen Index, head to the website: ​​https://www.thevixenmemoirs.com/

Thank You’s:

VHS Logos On Soundcloud

Dania Denise + Natasha Raisor 

"Exploring Black Sexuality" By Robert Staples

"Black Is Beautiful: JET Beauties of the Week" By LaMonte McLemore

“The Beauty Standard Trade-Off: How Ebony, Essence, and Jet Magazine Represent African American/Black Female Beauty in Advertising” By Jerrika M. Anderson Edwards

“Body Shape and Size Depictions of African American Women in Jet Magazine” By Scott Parker, James J Gray, José Angel Soto, And Nana Dawson-Andoh

Mentioned: 

The New Yorker

AndScape (formerly The Undefeated)

Let It Be Known News

AdAge

Las Vegas Black Image



There's a particular kind of magic woven into the fabric of our everyday media, a specific aesthetic power that often goes unexamined. Vixen: Black Beauty and Pop Culture, hosted by @TheVixenMemoirs, is a space dedicated to pulling that thread. This monthly podcast operates from a central, compelling question: what does our visual and cultural landscape truly look like when we center the beauty and influence of Black women? Each episode is a deep, thoughtful conversation that moves beyond simple appreciation into analysis. You’ll hear discussions that trace the lineage of a hairstyle from the motherland to a high-fashion runway, or unpack the significance of a music video’s visual language. The podcast digs into how Black femininity is rendered in film, referenced in lyrics, and commodified in fashion, all while celebrating the undeniable creativity at its source. It’s for anyone ready to listen more critically to the world around them, to understand the profound impact of an image. Tune in for a nuanced exploration that treats Black beauty not as a trend, but as a foundational and dynamic force in shaping the stories we all consume.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 57

Vixen: Black Beauty and Pop Culture
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