World Courant
Be part of Fox Information to entry this content material
Plus particular entry to pick articles and different premium content material along with your account – without cost.
By getting into your electronic mail deal with and clicking “Proceed,” you comply with Fox Information’ Phrases of Use and Privateness Coverage, together with our Monetary Incentives Discover.
Please enter a legitimate electronic mail deal with.
Mae West, a Hollywood intercourse image of the Thirties, was in her 60s when she started a “passionate affair” with 21-year-old Richard DuBois – nevertheless it was her muscular lover who finally walked out.
“By all accounts from the individuals who had been there, it was a passionate affair, to say the least,” creator Michael Gregg Michaud instructed Fox Information Digital. “This was 1954. There was a couple of 40-year age hole right here. She appreciated younger males. However it was additionally a part of the parable that she tried so arduous to create about herself.”
“She needed to be referred to as a world intercourse image, and he or she would do something to maintain that title,” Michaud shared. “She offered herself in a really attractive manner. She surrounded herself with very attractive males. Richard was considered one of them. However she left an enduring impression on him.”
MAE WEST’S ASSISTANT SAYS THE 1930S SEX SYMBOL WAS NOT A FAN OF NUDITY IN MOVIES
Mae West is seen right here in 1932. In her later years, the Hollywood star stored her love life sizzling. (John Kobal Basis/Getty Photographs)
Michaud has written a brand new e-book in regards to the traditional Hollywood star, “Mae West and her Adonis.” It focuses on her later years, when she hit the nightclub circuit and carried out with a sea of Hercules boy toys who shortly turned lovers when the curtain fell.
“That is my third e-book about Mae West,” Michaud defined. “She lived a really lengthy and productive life. A number of biographies have been written about her, however I needed to deal with this one side of her life that has by no means been totally explored earlier than.
“I needed to delve deeply into her nightclub acts and the way they had been perceived by the general public. Sure, she was making movies, however she needed to exit. And he or she by no means let her age restrict her in the best way she offered herself. She did not. I do not suppose there was something outdated a couple of attractive girl.”
Michael Gregg Michaud’s new e-book, “Mae West & Her Adonises,” is out now. (BearManor Media)
It was in 1954 when West warmed up Las Vegas with a nightclub act. On the time, Hollywood censored her provocative screenplays with a large stroke, cooling her once-vibrant movie profession. Life journal reported.
So West did what she does finest: encompass herself with Chippendales in loincloths and never a lot else on stage.
There she met DuBois.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER
Richard DuBois was a sought-after bodybuilder and mannequin when he began working for Mae West. (Michael Gregg Michaud)
“All somebody has to do is have a look at an image of him on the Web,” Michaud chuckled. “He was an awfully good-looking younger man with an much more extraordinary physique. After she first noticed him, she instantly put him on her present, proper from the beginning. It did not take lengthy for him to indicate curiosity in her.”
Richard “Dick” DuBois, left, winner of the Mr. America title, will be seen with Debbie Reynolds and Steve Reeves through the filming of “Athena”. (Getty Photographs)
DuBois, who turned Mr. USA was topped, was praised for his “good biceps” and “well-proportioned determine”, the Los Angeles Instances reported. Earlier than becoming a member of West, he was a sought-after bodily mannequin who received the Beginner Athletic Union Mr. America received a bodybuilding competitors, the outlet reported.
In keeping with Michaud, DuBois was embarrassed when West ordered him to flex his muscle tissues throughout their first assembly. Nonetheless, he obeyed.
Mae West wrote that Richard DuBois’s physique was harking back to a Greek god. (Michael Gregg Michaud)
West would later write that DuBois’ physique was harking back to a Greek god, making him “unforgettable.”
In keeping with Michaud, DuBois’ boyish infatuation shortly was “a bodily relationship” with West.
“He was very a lot in love along with her,” Michaud defined. “However for Mae, it was all bodily. She wasn’t searching for a boyfriend. They’d a bodily relationship, however she did not have an emotional relationship with him. Often with males, it was a turn-off once they began exhibiting emotional curiosity in her. That wasn’t what she needed.”
LIKE WHAT YOU READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
Mae West was in her 60s when she started a “passionate affair” with 21-year-old Richard DuBois. (Michael Gregg Michaud)
“She undoubtedly appreciated him, nevertheless it was a (extra) fascinating association for her,” Michaud added.
In keeping with the e-book, West had little interest in DuBois “aside from intercourse.” To maintain herself occupied, she contacted her former lover, wrestling champion Vincent Lopez.
“He traveled from his dwelling in Mexico to Hollywood simply days earlier than her departure for Nevada,” Michaud wrote. “She organized for him to accompany her as an escort and private supervisor. Lopez interpreted this as his major process being to maintain the muscle boys away from West — a lot to DuBois’s chagrin.”
Mae West is seen right here with Vincent Lopez on her proper and a Sahara Resort government on her left. (Michael Gregg Michaud)
In the meantime, West was decided to maintain making large bucks. In keeping with the e-book, West’s wage was a whopping $12,500 per week. DuBois was paid $500 per week, whereas a few of the different musclemen had been paid $200.
“The group performed two reveals an evening — at 8 p.m. and a couple of a.m. — seven days per week, with three reveals on Friday and Saturday,” the e-book stated.
DuBois’ film star appears to be like caught the general public’s consideration, nevertheless it was solely West he had his eye on.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Mickey Hargitay, who labored for Mae West, married one other blonde bombshell, Jayne Mansfield, in 1958. They welcomed daughter (and “Legislation & Order” star) Mariska in 1964. The couple divorced that 12 months. (Avondstandaard / Getty Photographs)
The competitors was fierce.
“Mickey Hargitay got here to the present as muscle,” Michaud instructed Fox Information Digital about actress Mariska Hargitay’s father. “There was a little bit of a rivalry there as a result of Mickey needed to get forward in present enterprise. However it was Mae West’s ex-boyfriend, Vincent Lopez… (who) did his finest to maintain her away from DuBois. It did not work, nevertheless it nonetheless bothered DuBois. “
Richard DuBois, left, ultimately left present enterprise to serve God. (Getty Photographs)
Within the e-book, Michaud wrote: “Behind the scenes, private dramas had been on par with the comedy present on stage. West cleverly scheduled her sexual trysts with DuBois on the lodge the place they had been all staying, avoiding the watchful eye of Vincent Lopez. She demanded intimate time with the lovesick Mr. America each evening. The star was within the temper for intercourse, however Dick DuBois was within the temper for love. He believed he had fallen in love along with her.”
Richard DuBois thought he was falling in love with Mae West. The actress had different plans. (Michael Gregg Michaud)
“DuBois continued to see West each evening after the final present,” Michaud continued. “Even when he was drained and desperately in want of relaxation, he was referred to as to her room. His frustration along with her lack of curiosity in something however intercourse usually prompted him to stroll the lodge hallways speaking to himself. He was nonetheless very jealous each time she frolicked with Lopez, however to maintain the peace, she assured him there was nothing romantic occurring.”
DuBois ultimately fell “into despair”. Whereas West was desperate to proceed enjoying “their sexual recreation” away from Lopez’s watchful eyes, DuBois had had sufficient.
“He gave her an ultimatum,” Michaud instructed Fox Information Digital. “He stated, ‘Both Vincent Lopez goes, or I’m going.’ She held onto Vincent Lopez. There have been just a few weeks left on the tour, however DuBois left…Vincent tried to maintain all of the muscular males, or anybody for that matter, away from her once they weren’t on stage.
ELIZABETH TAYLOR ‘NEVER DOG’ EDDIE FISHER, REGRETS MARRIING SINGER AFTER AFFAIR: ‘FRIGGIN’ TERRIBLE MISTAKE’
Richard DuBois gave Mae West an ultimatum. Lastly he walked away. (Getty Photographs)
“Richard felt very threatened by this. He felt that Vincent Lopez was the one interfering probably the most. Mae instructed Richard that she had identified Vincent for therefore a few years, that he was a loyal buddy and that she simply did not wish to dump him on the finish of the tour… Mae did not need Richard to go, nevertheless it was disappointing for him.”
“Mickey Hargitay has been promoted,” Michaud stated. “And Mae West turned keen on one other muscular man, Chuck Krauser. It wasn’t simply bodily, but in addition emotional. They began a relationship.’
“When it got here to Richard DuBois, Mae West thought-about him one of many bodily wonders of the world,” Michaud continued. “Once you have a look at him, you may see why he could be very enticing. However he needed extra.”
Mae West is seen right here surrounded by “The World’s Strongest Males” on the Resort Sahara in Las Vegas. (Getty Photographs)
DuBois went on to search out love. In 1960, he married and had a son. Later, he took on a really totally different function: that of an evangelist.
“He stop bodybuilding and have become a preacher,” Michaud stated. “And he continued to be a preacher… till he died… (However) he was at all times respectful to Mae West. He gave an interview later in his life and stated he felt there was nothing contradictory about being a muscle man and showing on stage in bikini bottoms. He stated: ‘I feel it ready me for all times as a preacher.’ He was a really fascinating man, however a captivating determine.”
Michaud wrote that DuBois spent the final 19 years of his life as pastor of the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Santa Monica, California. He died in 2007 on the age of 74.
ROCK HUDSON’S WIFE SECRETLY RECORDS GAY CONFESSION FOR PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR, BOOK CLAIMS
Mae West waves to followers along with her boyfriend Chuck Krauser in July 1956. (Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Photographs)
As for West, she modified her title from Krauser to the extra enticing Paul Novak. It caught for the remainder of her life. She died in 1980 on the age of 87.
Mae West and her date Paul Novak attend the 1977 After Darkish Awards on the Beverly Wilshire Resort in Beverly Hills, California, on Might 12, 1977. (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Assortment through Getty Photographs)
“Paul was along with her… till she died,” Michaud stated. “… He was her protector, her fixed companion and companion once they went out… Paul took excellent care of her. He was an excellent prepare dinner, and he was very cautious about her weight-reduction plan and helped her keep in form with barbells, dumbbells and a stationary bike.
“It was an fascinating match… I feel she was pleased with that association.”
